NCAA Tournament Record: 8-4

Overall Record: 18-17

Notre Dame (+1.5) vs. Wichita State: Notre Dame, as I mentioned in my Sweet Sixteen Analysis, has yet to show their full potential in the NCAA tournament. However, I believe tonight they will get their act together and show us why they were able to win the ACC tournament and earn a 3 seed. Wichita State has played well thus far, sending in-state rival Kansas home early after pulling out a close win over Indiana. However, something tells me they might be looking ahead to a potential match up with Kentucky in the Elite Eight–the same Kentucky that knocked them out in the Round of 32 and ended their perfect season. If Notre Dame sticks to the game plan that helped them win all season, they should win this game tonight. They need Pat Connaughton and Steve Vasturia to start knocking down 3’s to spread the floor to allow Jerian Grant to get into the paint and put on a show. If Zach Auguste can stay out of foul trouble, ND will likely play only 7 men, a strategy that worked all year. They have played good defense thus far, and I expect Bonzie Colson to provide them a spark coming off of the bench. It will be a close game, undoubtedly, but Jerian Grant fits the bill of the late game ball handler/knock down free throw shooter, and I think he will help ND lock up a very important win for the program.

Wisconsin (-6.5) vs. UNC: Wisconsin will finally be getting back to full strength. Traveon Jackson, out since January 11th, is set to make his return tonight against UNC. Although he will likely come off the bench due to the outstanding play of Bronson Koenig, his return will be huge for a Badger team that has high expectations for the Final Four. UNC has not been playing great basketball lately, especially on the defensive end, where they’ve gotten into foul trouble and put teams on the line. Against Wisconsin, a team that can shoot free throws and stay OUT of foul trouble, that does not bode well for this Tarheels team. Kaminsky should be good for his usual 20 points, and Wisconsin rebounds the ball very well, especially from the guard positions, which will help to neutralize a very important part of UNC’s offense–second chance points. I think Wisconsin will take a lead into halftime and extend that lead in the second half with the help of their defense and shooting, and ultimately should be able to win this game by double digits and reach the Elite Eight once again.