NCAA Tournament 2017, Wisconsin vs Virginia Tech: Highlights, score and recap

Highlights from Thursday’s East Region First Round game between the No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers and the No. 9 Virginia Tech Hokies in Buffalo.

The Wisconsin Badgers earned a NCAA Tournament victory for the fourth straight year behind one of their best offensive performances of the season in an 84-74 win over Virginia Tech on Thursday night in Buffalo.

Virginia Tech received a tough break early in the game, as ACC Sixth Man of the Year Seth Allen missed much of the first half with an ankle injury and was only able to return with a limp. That hurt Virginia Tech against the grinding Wisconsin defense, and perimeter-happy Virginia Tech was only able to make one 3-point shot in the first ten minutes en route to falling behind 20-14.

Even with one of its best outside shooters limited, Virginia Tech was able to hang in and only trailed 34-30 at the half thanks to 10 points from Ty Outlaw. Wisconsin buried six threes, including three by Bronson Koenig alone, and grabbed eight offensive rebounds to maintain the lead throughout the half, but got little production out of Ethan Happ due to foul trouble.

Both teams traded perimeter shots early in the second, with Virginia Tech’s Justin BIbbs converting a four-point play to pull a little closer at 44-42 at the 14:30 mark. Wisconsin’s normally ultra-efficient defense suddenly had no answer for Zach LeDay on the interior and continued to pile up fouls, but the Badgers maintained a 63-59 lead at the 8:00 mark thanks to three more perimeter shots from Koenig.

The Hokies cut the Wisconsin lead to one point four separate times but were unable to ever take the lead in the second half.  A Nigel Hayes and-1 followed by a putback from Happ with under two minutes to go helped the Badgers finally get some separation to seal a 84-74 victory.

While Virginia Tech was efficient from the interior and free throw line, it couldn’t generate enough stops down the stretch and was beaten by the Badgers at the 3-point line. The Badgers shot 13-of-31 from beyond the arc, with Koenig piling up 28 points to lead the way.

Three Stars

3. Nigel Hayes, F, Wisconsin. Overcame quiet first half to finish with 16 points and six offensive rebounds, including a few key shots in crunch time.

2. Zach LeDay, F, Virginia Tech. Kept the Hokies within striking distance throughout the second half, finishing with 23 points on 8-of-10 shooting.

1. Bronson Koenig, G, Wisconsin. Set a Wisconsin NCAA Tournament record with eight made 3-pointers as part of a 28-point performance.

Highlights

https://twitter.com/CBSSports/status/842562667751473153

Up next

Wisconsin will get a shot at defending national champion and top overall seed Villanova on Saturday.