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VegasButcher
Arizona Wildcats -1
There's a reason a #2 seed is favorite over a #1 seed in this game - Arizona is a better team. While both teams are top-10 offensively (#1 WIS and #7 ARZ), the real difference is on the defensive end. Arizona has the 3rd ranked defensive in all of college basketball. By comparison, Wisconsin is only 50th. They rank in the bottom-50 in defensive TO-rate and in 3PT% allowed, two key metrics in college basketball. Without any ability to force turnovers and by allowing opponents to shoot over 37% from the 3PT line, it's hard to compete against the 'best' teams in this tourney on a consistent basis. UNC was 8 for 13 from the 3PT line and only had 4 TO's in the game against the Badgers, a game that UNC could have easily won. At times they looked like the 'better' team in that one and if not for the Meeks injury (he only played 14 minutes), UNC could have easily pulled off an upset. I think we'll see Wisconsin fall to the Wildcats tonight. Arizona is coming off a great game themselves where they played a physical, tough Xavier squad, and I expect them to be ready to exact some revenge on the Badgers for ending Arizona's season last year. Two great offenses in this one but only one team has an elite D. I'll back that team tonight.
Arizona Wildcats -1
There's a reason a #2 seed is favorite over a #1 seed in this game - Arizona is a better team. While both teams are top-10 offensively (#1 WIS and #7 ARZ), the real difference is on the defensive end. Arizona has the 3rd ranked defensive in all of college basketball. By comparison, Wisconsin is only 50th. They rank in the bottom-50 in defensive TO-rate and in 3PT% allowed, two key metrics in college basketball. Without any ability to force turnovers and by allowing opponents to shoot over 37% from the 3PT line, it's hard to compete against the 'best' teams in this tourney on a consistent basis. UNC was 8 for 13 from the 3PT line and only had 4 TO's in the game against the Badgers, a game that UNC could have easily won. At times they looked like the 'better' team in that one and if not for the Meeks injury (he only played 14 minutes), UNC could have easily pulled off an upset. I think we'll see Wisconsin fall to the Wildcats tonight. Arizona is coming off a great game themselves where they played a physical, tough Xavier squad, and I expect them to be ready to exact some revenge on the Badgers for ending Arizona's season last year. Two great offenses in this one but only one team has an elite D. I'll back that team tonight.
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