2014 NCAA Tournament: 5 Reasons Why Baylor Will Upset Wisconsin in the Sweet 16

By Cody Daniel

Baylor Bears Will Beat Wisconsin Badgers

Baylor Bears Win — The Baylor Bears making the NCAA tournament looked to be a long-shot at one point. After winning eight of their last nine, the Bears have become accustom to stingy defense and overwhelming wins. The Sweet 16 will reveal a victory for No. 6 seeded Baylor over No. 2 seeded Wisconsin for some key reasons.

Well-Rounded

Baylor Bears

Well-Rounded

Baylor Bears — Over the course of the season, the Bears ranked 68th in points, 24th in rebounds and 46th in assists, all of which fare significantly better than Wisconsin statistically. This overall completeness for Baylor displays the small advantages they have over Wisconsin in the Sweet 16.

Size in the paint

Isaiah Austin Cory Jefferson

Size in the paint

Isaiah Austin Cory Jefferson — Wisconsin has the post presence of 7-footer Frank Kaminsky and 6-foot-8 Sam Dekker, but they are no match for Baylor’s 7-foot-1 Isaiah Austin and 6-foot-9 Cory Jefferson. The physicality and overall skill set of Baylor’s big men will prove to be more than the Badgers can handle.

Dominating their competition

Cory Jefferson

Dominating their competition

Cory Jefferson — Over the course of their last nine games, Baylor is 8-1 and has been winning convincingly. Its eight wins have come by an average of 12 points, which includes Baylor’s 14-point win over Nebraska in the second round and its 30-point thrashing of Creighton to make the Sweet 16.

Focusing on key player

Doug McDermott

Focusing on key player

Doug McDermott — For the majority of the season, Baylor has thrown its hopes into being able to limit the opposition’s best player. It did this against one of the best scorers in college basketball history and left Doug McDermott with only 15 points. If the Bears can limit Traevon Jackson in the same fashion, they will undoubtedly make the Elite 8.

Battle-Tested

Baylor Iowa State

Battle-Tested

Baylor Iowa State — Baylor played through an absolute gauntlet this season that was the Big 12 amongst some tough out-of-conference games. The nightly grind of facing elite teams has prepared Baylor for the Sweet 16, which is why it has an advantage over the No. 2 seed Wisconsin Badgers.

Teams in this article »

Baylor Bears

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Wisconsin Badgers

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