Baylor vs. Wisconsin: 2021 NCAA Tournament game preview, TV schedule, odds

After seven years of the previous meeting, Baylor and Wisconsin are looking to keep their seasons alive and becoming one of sixteen to remain.

Date: March 21, 2021. 2:40 p.m. ET. CBS

Arena: Hinkle Fieldhouse. Indianapolis, Indiana.

Line: Baylor -6.5.

Just one round later and seven years ago, these two on the rise programs faced off in 2014. Led by Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker, Wisconsin upended Baylor in the Sweet 16, en route to their Final Four run.

However, Kaminsky, nor Dekker, is walking through the doors anytime soon for the Badgers.

Since the COVID Pause, Baylor had played to the standards it set itself at in November. The Bears had given up above their average in points in each of the six games. However, Baylor played its best 25 minutes since the pause against Hartford.

After the Hawks cut the Baylor lead to just two in the final five minutes, Baylor went on a run. Lead by MaCio Teague, that lead turned from two to 16. The Bears carried the lead through and extended it to as much as 29.

One of the bright spots after the COVID pause has been Teague. He dropped 22 against the Hawks on 9/17 from the field and added four rebounds. Teague also was on the Big 12 All-Tournament team and drilled 10 three-pointers in the regular-season finale against Texas Tech.

Sophomore Adam Flagler was the energy off the bench, with 12 points, including a trio of three-pointers. Junior Matthew Mayer also added in eight points and nine rebounds.

For Wisconsin, They have been as high as No. 4 in the country, with high expectations on the season. The Badgers, for the most part, have lost a majority of their games to ranked teams in the Big 10. However, their best win of the season was on Friday, after thrashing North Carolina in the first round.

An offense that averages just 70.8 points per game, exploded for 85 against the Tar Heels, including shooting 48.1% from beyond the arc and 13 made triples.

Similar to Baylor, Wisconsin battled with North Carolina throughout the first fifteen minutes. However, the deadly shooting of the Badgers kept increasing their lead.

Wisconsin did a great job of limiting Armando Bacot for North Carolina. Quite possibly the most efficient player for the Tar Heels, he was held scoreless in the first half. In the second when he got going, Wisconsin was able to match the 15 points he delivered.

Brad Davison was the player of the game, as he hit five three-pointers, en route to 29 points and six rebounds. Davison has scored in double figures over the past five games and has been the hot hand for the Badgers.

Nate Reuvers harassed North Carolina down low, with four blocks, and Wisconsin was one step ahead throughout the remaining 25 minutes of the game.

A key off the bench to watch out for will be Johnathon Davis. Davis filled up the stat sheet in his 23 minutes, with six points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block.

For Baylor, a key in this matchup will be if the defense can keep the same momentum. Even against Iowa State and Kansas State, the defense struggled, winning in single digits to both teams. Against Hartford, they forced 24 turnovers and had 15 steals, led by Jared Butler’s five.

Wisconsin shoots the three-ball well, hitting 36% of their shots, Defending the three and keeping an eye on red-hot Davidson will be keys throughout.

For the Badgers, North Carolina was able to get plenty of blow-by baskets near the rim, from their guards. Baylor quite possibly has the best trio of guards in the country. Alongside that, they also might be the best finishers, with all three having the speed and body control to go near the rim and get a bucket whenever.

The best out of the trio is Davion Mitchell, with his ability to just blow by defenders with his speed to score at a high rate. Mitchell can do it on both ends, as he is also the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

Both teams bring a ton of experience, which should make the game closer than expected. However, Baylor’s defense looks to be back in form and is highly doubtful Wisconsin shoots 48% from beyond the arc again. Baylor advances to the Sweet Sixteen, in what turns into a gritty game near the end.

Prediction: Baylor 74, Wisconsin 68.