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2017 March Madness: Wisconsin vs Florida preview, prediction, TV schedule

By Michael Foy

Mar 2, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; The Wisconsin Badgers team waits as officials determine a call that finalized a flagrant one foul against Iowa Hawkeyes guard Peter Jok (14) at the Kohl Center. Iowa defeated Wisconsin 69-67. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; The Wisconsin Badgers team waits as officials determine a call that finalized a flagrant one foul against Iowa Hawkeyes guard Peter Jok (14) at the Kohl Center. Iowa defeated Wisconsin 69-67. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
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On Friday night in March Madness, the Wisconsin Badgers take on the Florida Gators in the Sweet 16.

TV Schedule: Friday, Mar. 24, 9:59 p.m. ET, TBS

Arena: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York

When you were filling out your bracket, my guess is you heard one of the professional college basketball analysts, or maybe even a friend, tell you to pick East Tennessee State to upset the Gators in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. We did not. If you have actually seen Florida play this year, you obviously didn’t make this mistake.

After being slotted as a trendy upset pick, Florida has done nothing but dominate their competition as much as any team thus far in the tournament. The Gators pounded ETSU,  80-65, and followed that win up with a decisive 65-39 beat down of Virginia. The Gators’ defense absolutely crushed the Cavaliers, holding them to 39 points, 29.6% shooting, and an absurdly horrendous 1-15 from beyond the arc. The Gators’ defense is legit, which is why they rank 3rd nationally in KenPom’s adjusted defensive rankings.

Do you think Wisconsin was the most under-seeded team in the tournament yet? This Wisconsin team is very good, and so much better than the 8-seed that they were given. Wisconsin is a team with more NCAA Tournament experience than any team left in the Sweet Sixteen. The Badgers start four seniors, who have already experienced two Final Fours in their careers. These seniors are playing incredibly well as of late. Senior Bronson Koenig nailed eight three-pointers in the Badgers first round win against Virginia Tech. While Nigel Hayes went off for 19 and 8 against reigning champ Villanova, which he capped off with this Michael Jordan inspired move.

If the Wisconsin seniors continue to play this well, there aren’t many teams in the country that can beat them.

Next: Ranking the 16 remaining teams

That being said, Wisconsin’s experience will help propel the Badgers to a close victory over Florida.

Prediction: Wisconsin 65, Florida 60

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