NC State vs Wisconsin (+2) - 4:25pm Pacific - Game #869-870

It is amazing how much little respect Wisconsin is getting in this tournament.  Badger head coach Bo Ryan has put up some incredible numbers in both regular season and postseason play since his arrival here.  He is a scary good coach.  This program has consistently been one of the best in the nation since his arrival.  They have won 10 or more conference games and have won at least one NCAA tournament game in each of his first four seasons.  Only Duke, Illinois, Wake Forest, UConn, and Kentucky can say the same for the latter.  Wisconsin defends well (held last 8 opponents to 55.1ppg, including Illinois to a season low 54 in Big 10 championship game), rebounds well, takes care of the ball well (11.2 turnovers per game - 7th best in nation, only 7.4 turnovers per game in postseason play), and defends the 3-point line as well as anyone in the tournament (.258 last 10 games).  They are a senior dominated team with 4 senior starters and a 5th off the bench that sees regular minutes.  Leading scorer Alando Tucker had some injury issues around mid-season but has returned to form well in time for the postseason.  He attacks the basket with a rare combination of speed and power.  Senior forward Mike Wilkinson is a crafty veteran who can score inside, score outside, rebound, and defend.  Both will provide matchup problems for NC State.  Senior forward Zach Morley has stepped up his production over the last few weeks.  Guards Chambliss, Hanson, and Taylor recently have proven their ability to score when defenses help inside.  Wisconsin's only 3 losses in the past 6.5 weeks came at Illinois, at Michigan State, and vs Illinois (in Chicago) again in Big 10 final.  I do not have a problem going against an NC State team who went 7-9 in conference play, had zero quality non-conference wins, and is battling injury issues to their starting point guard and starting center.  Both UConn (2-for-14 from 3-point range, 14 turnovers) and Charlotte (27% shooting in 2nd half, 20 turnovers) did not play complete games vs the Wolfpack.  It is unlikely NC State will have the same good fortune tonight.  Bo Ryan is now 6-3 in NCAA tournament play, including a perfect 6-0 against lower seeds.  Wisconsin is also a perfect 6-0 this year in games decided by 5 points or less, NC State is just 2-5.  The wrong team is favored here.  Take the points and consider a money line wager.