March Madness 2016, Wisconsin vs Notre Dame: Full highlights

Friday’s Wisconsin vs Notre Dame Sweet 16 matchup was one nobody predicted, but it didn’t disappoint.

Wisconsin probably didn’t expect to be in this position midway through the 2015-16 season. The Badgers were just 9-9 after long-time head coach Bo Ryan decided to retire and they were in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998. Greg Gard turned things around and the Badgers earned the No. 7 seed after posting a 20-12 record.

Notre Dame had an up-and-down start to their season as well, starting just 10-5, and despite the average play through conference action, the Fighting Irish still earned a No. 6 seed. The Fighting Irish took down Michigan and Stephen F. Austin to get to the regional semifinal.

The first half was much like most Wisconsin games this year as the Badgers held Notre Dame to just 19 points while only scoring 23 of their own. To put that into perspective, the Badgers and Fighting Irish combined for 42 points in the first half while Virginia scored 45 against Iowa State in their Sweet 16 matchup.

Luckily for everyone watching, the second half was more exciting and just as close as the first. Notre Dame battled back to tie the game at 34 and it seemed like the first time the Fighting Irish and Badgers were even in quite some time.

Scoring was still at a premium, but this was the first Sweet 16 matchup in this year’s tournament thus far to actually come down to the final minutes.

The game was tied at 51 with about a minute left when the Badgers’ Ethan Happ hit a layup to go up by two and then the talented freshman big man fouled out on the next Notre Dame possession — a big loss for the Badgers.

Vitto Brown answered two Zach Auguste tying free throws with a go-ahead three-pointer with 26 seconds left. However, Notre Dame scored and then Demetrius Jackson iced the game with a big steal with 2.7 seconds left.

Three Stars

Ethan Happ was fantastic until the final minute of the game when he fouled out. The Badgers big man finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds and two steals.

Notre Dame’s V.J. Beachem was on fire all night long, making 7-of-11 shots and finishing with 19 points and three steals.

Demetrius Jackson had an ugly shooting game, just 6-of-18, but the Irish point guard finished with 16 points, six assists and three steals — including the game-winning steal with 2.7 second remaining.

Full Highlights

"Colson with the block and Auguste with the finish on the other end! #Sweet16https://t.co/FRVerv1MwN— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 26, 2016"

"Sweet reverse by Vasturia! #Sweet16https://t.co/5xQORDM18K— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 26, 2016"

"Here come the Irish in the final minutes! #MarchMadnesshttps://t.co/OBnhbW7gSP— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 26, 2016"

"Biggest steal of the season for Notre Dame! #Sweet16 https://t.co/uLQVgom4s2— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 26, 2016"

Odds

Notre Dame was just a 1.5-point favorite entering the game and the Fighting Irish covered thanks to some late free throws, winning by five points.

What’s next?

Notre Dame will play the winner of Friday night’s North Carolina and Indiana matchup in the Elite Eight. They will then play on Sunday for a chance to make the Final Four next weekend.

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