The Wisconsin Badgers are in the Elite 8 for the third time in school history and the second time under Bo Ryan after knocking off Baylor 69-52 in Anaheim on Thursday night.
Frank Kaminsky scored 19 points and added 4 rebounds and 6 blocked shots, while senior guard Ben Brust added 14 points to put the Badgers into the NCAA Regional final for the first time since 2005. That year, the Badgers lost to eventual national champion North Carolina 88-82, in Syracuse, New York.
For just the third time in school history, the Badgers have made better than 50-percent of their shots in an NCAA Tournament game. Wisconsin hit 26 of 51 (51%) in the victory.
Wisconsin had 18 assists on 26 made baskets, its second-highest assist total this season.
AUDIO: Ben Brust says they passed the ball well :15
The Badgers (29-7) faces top-seeded Arizona (33-4) on Saturday night for a spot in the final four. Tip time is set for 7:49pm.
The Badgers were so good against Baylor’s 1-3-1 zone defense that Bears head coach Scott Drew eventually raised the white flag and went to a man-t0-man defense in the second half.
The Badgers jumped out early, led by the play of the 7’0 Frank Kaminsky. The Badgers took the ball right at the Bears, which eventually opened up the outside game as well.
Senior guard Ben Brust hit 3 of 5 three-pointers and is now 20 of 41 from distance (48%) over his last six games.
The Badgers 29 victories this season is now the third most in school history. They won 30-games in the 2006-07 season and 31 games in the 2007-08 season. The Badgers can break the program record with three more wins, which would also give them a National Title.
YouTube Video: UW-Athletics / Wisconsin Celebrates Elite 8
