NCAA Tournament 2017, Villanova vs Wisconsin: Highlights, score and recap

Recapping the action from Saturday’s NCAA Tournament clash between Villanova and Wisconsin

Villanova came into the game at the helm of one of the most impressive post-national championship campaigns in years. Despite losing its starting point guard and center from last year’s title-winning team, it posted a 31-3 campaign in 2016-17 that was good enough to earn it the tournament’s top overall seed. The Wildcats have done it on the strength of a NPOTY-worthy campaign by senior Josh Hart, as well as an excellent campaign from sophomore point guard Jalen Brunson and a quality senior campaign from last year’s national title hero, Kris Jenkins.

Wisconsin got handed a brutal under-seeding by the committee, landing at an 8-seed while conference mate Minnesota — who Wisconsin beat twice — got a five. But the Badgers remained a strong team heading into the tournament. They were a top 25 squad per KenPom, and despite a tough late stretch in conference season, put together an impressive campaign. They mainly play through the post, via Ethan Happ and Nigel Hayes, while spotting up shooters around the pair. Their defense has also been excellent this year, thanks mainly to the presence of Ethan Happ.

RELATED: Updated 2017 NCAA Tournament Bracket

Wisconsin pulled a huge upset in this game; though they were clearly under-seeded, being paired up with the tournament’s top overall seed is never ideal in the Round of 32. They battled through adversity — and a bunch of foul trouble — to cap their win and send themselves into the Sweet 16.

Both teams struggled with their shots through much of the game. Wisconsin hit just six of its eighteen threes, while Villanova went five for sixteen. It was a battle contested mostly on the inside, and Wisconsin had just a few more horses on the interior. Nigel Hayes in particular was outstanding, eschewing his post-up game to face up Villanova’s defenders and drive the ball to the hoop.

Hayes scored a reverse layup with just under 10 seconds remaining to put the Badgers up by two. On the ensuing Villanova possession, Josh Hart drove to the hoop, only to be tied up with the ball in his hands by two Wisconsin defenders. No foul was called, and with the ensuing turnover, Wisconsin had the chance to ice the game. Though the second free throw missed, Wisconsin was able to harass the rebounder and force a desperation heave that fell well short of the mark.

Three Stars

Nigel Hayes was the key for the Wisconsin Badgers. He repeatedly caught the ball on the perimeter, and drove past his man for easy layups. Even if he missed, he typically rebounded them to put back an easy shot. He finished with 19 points in the victory, to go with five offensive rebounds. He also had the layup that sealed the game.

Bronson Koenig was also sharp from the field in this game, despite foul trouble that kept him off the court for much of the second half. He hit three of his six 3-pointers, and finished the game with 17 points. He came up with key basket after key basket throughout the game, and was key in helping Wisconsin close a late 7-point deficit.

Though Josh Hart will wear the horns for the turnover on Villanova’s last real possession, there was a reason he had the ball. He was excellent throughout the game on both offense and defense. Hart scored 19 points on 5-9 shooting, and repeatedly earned trips to the free throw line by testing Wisconsin’s interior defense. His senior campaign will come up short from a team perspective, but he’ll move on to the NBA draft process. Hart will have to be happy with just one one NCAA championship in his college career.

Highlights

Next Game

Wisconsin will move on to the Sweet 16, and will face the winner of the Virginia-Florida game that tips off later on Saturday. Taking over the path obviously reserved for the one-seed they just upset means Wisconsin will have a solid chance to make it further. Both Virginia and Florida are solid teams, but they have had their struggles late in the season.