Posted by Graham Watson
BOISE, Idaho -- The game between Wisconsin and Xavier has been sloppy at best.
Neither team is shooting better than 34 percent and Wisconsin has gotten Xavier to play its style, which doesn't accentuate the Musketeers' athleticism.
Both teams are missing easy layups and are settling for 3-pointers, which are the only shots consistently going in. Prior to Xavier's five points in the final minute of the half, the Musketeers had not scored a field goal since the 8:21 mark. Some of it was Wisconsin's defense, but most of it was just poor play by Xavier.
There's no doubt that Xavier is the more athletic team, but Wisconsin is playing smarter. It's taking high-quality shots, it's forcing turnovers (Xavier has eight) and it's drawing some ticky-tack fouls. Nine of Wisconsin's points have come from the free throw line.
So far, Wisconsin has looked a lot like a team that is brimming with confidence after its overtime win against Florida State. Xavier looks like a team that thought this was going to be a cakewalk.
