INDIANAPOLIS -- The Wisconsin Badgers earned a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament and will face No. 13 seed Belmont Thursday in Tuscon, Ariz.
The Bruins thumped North Florida 87-46 March 5 to win the Atlantic Sun Championship for the fourth time in six years. They finished the year 30-4 overall and 19-1 in conference play.
Belmont is a scary team for the Badgers to face. Two of their four losses came against Tennessee, the first a nine-point defeat and the second a one-point defeat. They also lost to Vanderbilt by nine in December. Both Tennesse and Vanderbilt are NCAA Tournament teams. Belmont's only other loss this season was at Lipscomb (17-13 overall, 12-8 Atlantic Sun)
There was some thought the Badgers would fall to a No. 5 seed after two uninspiring performances against Ohio State and Penn State last week. Instead, Wisconsin stayed as a No. 4 seed but was shipped out west to Tuscon. Should UW advance to the Sweet 16, it would play in New Orleans.
Before losing to Penn State Friday, the Badgers had a very good chance of playing their first game close to home at the United Center in Chicago. Unfortunately, that loss ended any hope of them passing Purdue, which will open up the tournament in Chicago Friday.
Bruiser bruised
The Badgers announced Sunday that Mike Bruesewitz, who was injured in Friday's loss against Penn State, suffered a right knee sprain and is day-to-day.
While Bruesewitz's minutes are replaceable, the Badgers will miss his rebounding and tenacity if he is unable to go Thursday.