NCAA Tournament: Oregon Must Battle Through Sea of Wisconsin Red To Make Sweet 16

Mar 20, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Mike Moser (0) grabs a rebound during the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament against the Brigham Young Cougars at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

One thing I noticed right off the bat in researching these two teams is both Oregon and Wisconsin have not won an NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship in a very long time. Of course Oregon fans know of the 1939 National title with the Tall Firs. The Badgers won it all two years later in 1941. Seventy three years later its a Pac-12/Big 10 Matchup for a shot at the Sweet 16 in the 2014 NCAA Tournament. The Ducks were led in their first game by Hometown Hero Elgin Cook who scored 23 points en route to a rout of BYU. The Badgers took care of American 75-35 led by Traevon Jackson with 18 points.

Both teams are familiar with winning streaks. The Badgers started the year with a 16 game streak, the Ducks 13 before losing to Colorado on January 5th in the first Pac-12 Conference game of the regular season. Wisconsin had an eight game winning streak toward the end of the season, similar to Oregon. Bo Ryan’s team is very deserving of their #2 Seed in Milwaukee. I’m sure Oregon fans will see a sea of red, similar to the college football scene at Stanford when the Ducks play on the farm at tip time later this afternoon on CBS.

"Mar 20, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes (10) looks for a teammate to pass to, guarded by American University Eagles guard Marko Vasic (5) during the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY SportsOur team has been bouncing back all year…their a good team and when you play good teams you have to bring your “A” game. We’re going to have to play really really good basketballOregon Head Coach Dana Altman on facing Wisconsin"

When it comes to points per game the Badgers hit a pedestrian 63.5 per contest. The Ducks are much better averaging over 80 for most of the season. The Ducks put of 87 in their NCAA Tournament opener against BYU on Thursday. Oregon also has players that can knock down a shot from anywhere on the floor. Joseph Young, Mike Moser, and Johnathan Loyd are all threats. Dominic Artis is streaky and along with Damyean Dotson could give the big men of Wisconsin trouble. The Badgers regular season scoring leader was Junoir Frank Kaminsky with 13.4 points per game and 6.3 rebounds.

Wisconsin and Oregon play at a different pace – if the Ducks can play in their style and play together as they have over the last month and a half they have a chance at knocking off the Badgers. Wisconsin has 19 Tournament Appearances to Oregon with 11.

Oregon and Wisconsin tipoff from Mikwaukee at 4:45PT Saturday on CBS.

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