At a glance: UW vs. Florida, 8:59 p.m. Friday (TBS)
BASICS
Teams: No. 8 Wisconsin (27-9) vs. No. 4 Florida (26-8).
When: 8:59 p.m. Friday (approximate).
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York.
Broadcasts: TV - TBS. Radio - AM-920.
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ABOUT THE GATORS
Coach: Mike White, 47-23, second season; 148-63, sixth season overall.
Team colors: Blue and orange.
NCAA performance last year: Did not qualify for the tournament.
Starting five: Devin Robinson, 6-8, Jr., F; Justin Leon, 6-8, Sr., F; Kevarrius Hayes, 6-9, Soph., F; Kasey Hill, 6-1, Sr., G; KeVaughn Allen, 6-2, Soph., G.
Top reserves: Canyon Barry, 6-6, Sr., G; Chris Chiozza, 6-0, Jr., G.
How they win: Florida generally relies on its defense to subdue opponents and forces 14.9 turnovers per game. The Gators are 10th nationally in three-point defense (30.4%), 29th in overall field-goal defense (40.5%) and 37th in points allowed (65.7 per game). They also have 165 more free-throw attempts than their opponents (809-644). The Gators shot the ball well in the first two rounds as well, hitting a combined 47.1% of their shots in victories over East Tennessee State and Virginia. They posted those numbers with Allen, the team’s leading scorer, hitting 1 of 13 three-pointers and 3 of 21 shots overall.
RELATED: Florida's roster, stats, season results
MATCHUPS
FRONTCOURT: Florida’s Devin Robinson, Justin Leon and Kevarrius Hayes vs. Wisconsin’s Nigel Hayes, Ethan Happ and Vitto Brown.
Robinson entered the tournament averaging 10.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game but topped those numbers in both tournament games. Robinson hit 10 of 17 shots and recorded 24 points and seven rebounds against East Tennessee State in the opener and added a double-double (14-11) against Virginia. He is shooting 39.4% from three-point range. Leon had a quiet game in the opener but hit 3 of 6 three-pointers and recorded a double-double against Virginia (14-10). Kevarrius Hayes averages only 6.1 points and 17.4 minutes. He can be a disruptive defender and had two blocks and six steals in the opener.
Nigel Hayes and Happ are giving opponents fits on both ends of the court. The duo combined for 26 points and 18 rebounds against Virginia Tech and 31 and 16 against Villanova. Hayes has hit 12 of 25 shots in the tournament; Happ has hit 10 of 16. Brown is playing with more confidence and in the last six games is averaging 6.3 points and 3.7 rebounds. Perhaps most important, he is shooting 40.9% from three-point range (9 of 22) in that span. That helps space the floor and give more room to Hayes and Happ.
Edge: UW.
BACKCOURT: Florida’s KeVaughn Allen and Kasey Hill vs. UW’s Bronson Koenig and Zak Showalter.
Villanova’s Kris Jenkins was struggling to score entering the Wildcats’ game with UW and Allen appears to be facing the same issue. Allen hit just 1 of 13 three-pointers and 3 of 21 shots overall in the first two rounds. He leads the Gators in scoring at 13.4 points per game and shoots 37.7% from three-point range. Can UW keep him from warming? Hill, an inefficient shooter at 21.4% from three-point range and 40.8% overall, has turned into a terrific defender. He also leads the team in assists at 4.5 per game.
Koenig’s confidence appears to be soaring. He has hit mid-range shots off the dribble, buried three-pointers from all over the floor and hasn’t been shy about attacking the basket. The senior has made 11 of 23 three-pointers (47.8%) in the tournament and 16 of 32 shots overall. Florida’s Hill likely will try to take space away from Koenig. Showalter has been playing solid defense and giving UW another dependable three-point threat. He missed all 4 three-point attempts in the victory over Villanova but in the previous seven games was a combined 15 of 28 (53.6%).
Edge: UW.
BRACKETS: Bracket Challenge | Updated printable bracket
SCOREBOARD: NCAA Tournament scores, box scores
MORE COVERAGE: NCAA Tournament section
RESERVES: Florida’s Chris Chiozza and Canyon Barry vs. UW’s Khalil Iverson, D’Mitrik Trice and Jordan Hill.
Chiozza is a quick and tenacious defender who has 126 assists and only 50 turnovers. He likely will be matched up against Koenig or Trice. Barry, the son NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry, averages 11.8 points in just 21.5 minutes. He is tied for the team lead in free-throw attempts (125) and hits a team-high 88.0%.
Trice appeared awed by the stage against Villanova and had one rebound and two turnovers in 14 minutes. He must play better Friday. If Iverson can provide the spark he did against Virginia Tech in the opener, UW’s victory chances will be enhanced. The sophomore had 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists and was active on both ends of the floor. His athletic ability could be key in matching up with the Gators.
Edge: Florida.
COACHES: Florida’s Mike White vs. Wisconsin’s Greg Gard.
White replaced legendary Billy Donovan, who guided the Gators to national titles in 2006 and ’07 and won 71.5% of his games in 19 seasons at the school. Gard replaced Bo Ryan, who directed UW to 14 consecutive NCAA Tournament berths and Final Four appearances in 2014 and ’15.
Edge: Even.