Butler Bulldogs @ Wisconsin Badgers Sweet 16 Betting Pick

Butler Bulldogs @ Wisconsin Badgers Sweet 16 Betting Pick: The Bulldogs have been impressive late, that’s for sure. That’s not how the entire season went. After just missing out on beating the Blue Devils in last year’s National Championship, the Bulldogs had a rough start to the 2010-11 season, getting whooped by Louisville, beaten by Evansville, having trouble with Loyola-Chicago, getting beat up by Duke, losing ot Xavier, and even falling 4 times in conference – Wisconsin Milwaukee (twice), Wright State, and Valparaiso. Mix in just a couple decent wins (Washington State and Florida State), and Butler wasn’t expected to make a return trip to the Championship. But things couldn’t be going much better.

The Bulldogs won their conference tournament after finishing the season with 7 straight victories. Then the slipped by a tough Old Dominion team with a last second buzzer beater to get the tourney off on the right foot. They needed another miracle against Pittsburgh as they won 71-70 on possibly the most controversial couple foul calls in a row (but they deserved the win, I believe). So now they’ve won 11 straight, once against #1 seeded Pittsburgh, and in comes Wisconsin.

The Badgers didn’t end the season as well, getting destroyed by Ohio State by 28 points on the road, then losing their first game in the Big 10 conference tournament when Penn State held them to just 33 points. But I think it’s fair to say things have turned around. Despite everyone (besides me) picking them to lose as a 4 seed to Belmont, the Badgers won by 14. When Kansas State was supposed to beat the Badgers, well, they toughed through an unreal performance by Jacob Pullen and won by 5. They are playing well.

But I think they can outplay the Bulldogs at Butler’s own game. Wisconsin will have an advantage on the post, they’ll be able to draw Butler’s bigs out a bit, and despite Jordan Taylor’s 2-16 performance against Kansas State, the kid is a special guard. I expect him to bounce back and give the Badgers a win (and cover) over Butler.

(8) Butler Bulldogs @ (4) Wisconsin Badgers (-4) (3/24) (TBS)