OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Considering the scare Coastal Carolina gave Virginia last year, Wisconsin fans can be assured the Badgers are giving their opening opponent in the NCAA Tournament their full attention.
The Chanticleers are back as a No. 16 seed, and they will be taking aim at the West Region’s top-seeded Badgers on Friday. A No. 16 seed has never won a game in the round of 64.
Coastal Carolina led by 10 points in the first half against Virginia last March and by five at halftime before losing 70-59.
Badgers coach Bo Ryan said Coastal Carolina (24-9) has shown it’s capable of playing against anybody.
The Badgers (31-3) swept the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles after reaching the Final Four last year.