The Oregon Ducks (21-14, 15-5 home) host the Wisconsin Badgers (19-14, 5-6 away) in the NIT Quarterfinals on Tuesday night. The winner moves on to the semifinals next week in Las Vegas and faces the winner of the Oklahoma State/North Texas matchup. These two teams have played just three times previously, all in the last ten years, with the Badgers holding a 2-1 edge.
The NIT clash tips off at 9 p.m. EST inside Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks are 4.5-point favorites and the over/under total is 134 points.
What to Know – Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin is playing in just its fifth NIT in school history, and the Badgers are two wins away from claiming its first championship. To get here, Wisconsin knocked off the Bradley Braves and Liberty Flames in the first two rounds.
On offense, the Badgers ranked near the bottom of the Big Ten scoring 65.7 points per game on 41.8% shooting from the floor and 34.3% from the 3-point line. Wisconsin’s defense was fifth in the league, holding opposing teams to 64.0 ppg, 44.5% shooting from the field and 31.8% from three.
Although Wisconsin is not an offensive powerhouse, the Badgers do bring four double-figure scorers into the contest. Junior forward Steven Crowl leads the pack averaging 12.3 ppg and sophomore guard Chucky Hepburn right behind scoring 12.2 ppg.
The Badgers own a 14-18-1 record against the spread with a 4-7 mark ATS in away contests. Wisconsin is 2-6-1 ATS over its last nine games played in March.
What to Know – Oregon Ducks
The Ducks have made 13 appearances in the NIT, last moving on to the semifinals in 2004. Oregon owns double-digit triumphs over UC-Irvine and UCF in the opening rounds of the tournament.
Oregon’s offense was fifth in the conference, averaging 71.0 ppg thanks to 44.9% shooting from the field and 32.1% from deep. The Ducks defense was fourth in the Pac-12, limiting teams to 66.4 ppg, 41.1% shooting from the floor, and 33.7% from beyond the arc.
The Ducks have a veteran lineup, and the offensive production starts in the front court with senior center N’Faly Dante. Dante leads the team averaging 13.4 ppg, all inside the arc. Classmate Jermaine Couisnard is next in line, adding 12.8 ppg.
Oregon is 17-18 ATS this season and showcases an 11-9 record on its home floor. The Ducks enter the quarterfinals with a 4-2 record ATS over their last six contests.
The Pick is In
Oregon has yet to be challenged in the tournament, but that will change Tuesday night when the Badgers take the floor. Wisconsin is a tough team that will test Oregon on both offense and defense.
The Ducks senior-ladened lineup will be the difference here, and the home-court advantage will provide a boost that Oregon needs down the stretch to pull away from the visiting Badgers and move on to the semis next week.
The Pick: Oregon Ducks -4.5
