We’re down to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament, and what a first weekend it was. We had monumental upsets, half-court buzzer-beaters, crazy collapses, Cinderella stories and redemption runs (who had Syracuse vs. Gonzaga in the Midwest?)
We’re previewing all of the regional semifinal games:
6. Notre Dame
First round: Def. 11 Michigan, 70-63
Second round: Def. 14 Stephen F. Austin, 76-75
The Irish survived in two great games against treacherous opponents Michigan and Stephen F. Austin, riding junior forward V.J. Beachem (18 points) down the stretch against the Wolverines and Beachem, Zach Auguste and Demetrius Jackson against the Lumberjacks. That trio put up 15, 16 and 18 respectively to help hold off SFA, which still would have pulled out the victory if not for a last-second tip-in by a freshman who averages 2.5 points per game.
It was certainly the biggest play of Rex Pflueger’s career to this point, as the 6-6, Mater Dei High School product hadn’t scored in a game since March 5. “Are you kidding me? Are you freakin’ kidding me? That was unbelievable,” Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said after the game.
This group learned a lot in taking Kentucky to the wire in the Elite Eight last season, and like a lot of veteran teams, it’s going to take an awful lot to put them away. Unfortunately for the Irish, you can say the same exact thing about the Badgers.
7. Wisconsin
First round: Def. 10 Pittsburgh, 47-43
Second round: Def. 2 Xavier, 66-63
The Badgers are back in the Sweet 16 for the fifth time in six years after junior guard Bronson Koenig saved the season with a ridiculous, falling-away buzzer beater from the corner to down second-seeded Xavier in Round 2. Koenig also hit a three on the previous possession, tying the game and setting himself up for a March Madness moment on the final play. Frank Kaminsky sure appreciated the moment.
This team may not be as talented as some of the previous Badgers groups that have advanced this far, but it’s tough, experienced, and will not go down without a fight. Koenig led the team with 20 points in the win over Xavier, but freshman big man Ethan Happ showed up big too, notching 18 points and 7 boards. He was key in the first-round win over Pitt as well, putting up 15 and 8.
Junior Nigel Hayes is another major key (what’s up, DJ Khaled?) and should rebound from a 2-for-10 (6 points) shooting performance against the Musketeers.
PREDICTION: Notre Dame 65, Wisconsin 64. This game is a fascinating contrast of styles, as Notre Dame likes to run up and down the floor and score points, while Wisconsin will look to slow the game down, limit possessions and grind you out on the defensive end. Both teams have shown a penchant for late-game heroics, and we think this game will come down to the final possession as well. We’re taking Notre Dame, which has maybe just a little bit more talent, a terrific coach in Mike Brey and an underrated amount of tournament experience. Look for senior Zach Auguste to come up big, as he won’t be satisfied with ending his career without a trip to the Final Four.
