The High Point University Panthers, currently riding a five-game win streak, will face off against the University of Wisconsin Badgers at the Moda Center on March 19. This neutral-site matchup brings together two teams with distinct postseason trajectories, as High Point's only path to the NCAA Tournament is by securing the Big South Conference's automatic bid, while Wisconsin is poised to make a stronger case for itself in the tournament field. With High Point's impressive conference record and Wisconsin's solid positioning in the Big Ten, this game presents an intriguing contrast between two teams driven by different motivations.
As the Badgers look to bolster their NCAA Tournament resume, a win over High Point would be a valuable addition, given the Panthers' strong recent form. Conversely, a High Point victory would be a significant upset, potentially altering the landscape of their conference tournament and providing a much-needed boost to their own postseason aspirations. The small margins that separate these evenly matched teams will be on full display at the Moda Center, where Wisconsin's experience in high-stakes games will be pitted against High Point's momentum and determination. The outcome of this game will have significant implications for both teams' conference races and postseason positioning, making it a compelling matchup for a national audience.
Averaging 16.3 points per game, has been the team's leading scorer, while also contributing 6.4 rebounds per game. His 1.6 assists per game have been complemented by 's 3.6 assists per game, as Rob Martin is also scoring 16.0 points per game. With a 30-4 overall record, High Point has demonstrated its strength, particularly in its conference, where it has gone 15-1. The team's recent form has been impressive, with wins in its last five games, including a 91-76 victory over Winthrop on March 8 and a 75-71 win over UNC Asheville on March 7.
His 45% field goal shooting has been a key factor in 's 11.4 points per game, and Cam'Ron Fletcher is also grabbing 6.9 rebounds per game. 's versatility has been valuable, as Owen Aquino is scoring 9.5 points per game, while also contributing 6.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. With adding 9.1 points per game, High Point has a balanced offense, and Conrad Martinez's 3.2 assists per game have helped to facilitate the team's scoring. As High Point prepares to face Wisconsin, its recent wins, including an 81-59 victory over Gardner-Webb on March 6 and a 79-73 win at Presbyterian on February 26, suggest that the team is peaking at the right time.
Averaging 20.6 points per game, 's scoring prowess has been a key factor in Wisconsin's success, with the team's overall record standing at 24-10. His 4.2 assists per game have also been crucial in facilitating the team's offense. The team's leading scorer, supported by 's 19.0 points per game, has helped Wisconsin achieve a 14-6 record in the Big Ten conference. With a 45% three-point shooting percentage not being a notable team stat, the team has relied on the all-around skills of players like Nolan Winter, who contributes 8.6 rebounds per game.
In their last five games, Wisconsin has shown resilience, with a 91-88 win at Illinois and a 97-93 win at Purdue demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure. His 13.3 points per game have been a significant factor in Nolan Winter's overall impact on the team. The team's recent form has also been bolstered by the contributions of , with his 9.6 points per game providing a scoring boost, and , who has averaged 8.4 points per game. With their NET ranking at #25, Wisconsin is poised to make a strong push in the tournament, and players like John Blackwell, with his 4.9 rebounds per game, will be essential to their success.
Key Matchups
The matchup between High Point's Cam'Ron Fletcher and Wisconsin's Nolan Winter will be pivotal in determining the outcome of this game. Fletcher's ability to control the glass, averaging 6.9 rebounds per game, will be tested by Winter's strong rebounding presence, with 8.6 rebounds per game. If Fletcher can manage to outmuscle Winter and secure crucial boards, it could limit Wisconsin's second-chance opportunities and give High Point a significant advantage.
Winter's scoring ability, with 13.3 points per game, also poses a challenge for Fletcher, who will need to balance his defensive responsibilities with the need to contain Winter's offense. If Winter can exploit any defensive lapses by Fletcher, it could open up scoring opportunities for the rest of the Wisconsin team. Conversely, if Fletcher can effectively neutralize Winter, it would force Wisconsin to rely more heavily on its guards, potentially disrupting their overall offensive flow.
CHD Scout Prediction
High Point
83
Wisconsin
76
The model predicts a High Point victory, 83-76, with a 73.5% win probability, but I disagree with this assessment. Instead, I believe Wisconsin will emerge victorious, and the primary reason for this is the significant disparity in NET rankings between the two teams, with Wisconsin holding a substantial advantage at #25 compared to High Point's #75. This difference in ranking suggests that Wisconsin has performed better against stronger competition, which I believe will give them the edge they need to win this neutral-site game.
Tournament Stakes
For Wisconsin, a win in this Quad 2 game would bolster their NCAA Tournament resume, potentially improving their seeding by demonstrating an ability to perform well against decent opposition on the road. Conversely, a loss would be a Quad 1 defeat for High Point, but given their reliance on winning the Big South tournament for postseason eligibility, the outcome has limited implications for their postseason positioning. Wisconsin's Quad 1 record, already respectable at 9-8, would not be significantly impacted by a loss in this Quad 2 contest, but a win would reinforce their at-large credentials. Ultimately, Wisconsin's postseason aspirations are more closely tied to their performance in the remainder of their conference schedule, making this game a relatively low-stakes opportunity to build momentum, and a loss would be a minor setback in their larger quest for a favorable NCAA Tournament seed.