Atlantic Coast

Badgers given 8 seed in NCAA tournament, will face Virginia Tech

Published Mar. 12, 2017 5:44 p.m. ET

If the Wisconsin Badgers are again to make the NCAA tournament's Sweet 16, they will have to do it as an underdog.

The Badgers, who earlier Sunday lost to Michigan in the Big Ten tournament championship game, were given a 8 seed in the East Region in this year's NCAA tournament. Wisconsin will face 9th-seeded Virginia Tech on Thursday in Buffalo.

The Hokies finished 22-10 in the Atlantic Coast Conference under former Marquette head coach Buzz Williams.

Wisconsin has advanced to at least the Sweet 16 in each of the last three years and five of the last six. Seniors Nigel Hayes and Bronson Koenig have played in 14 NCAA tournament games, including two Final Fours and the national championship game in 2015.

Last year as a No. 7 seed, Wisconsin beat No 10 seed Pittsburgh and second-seeded Xavier to advance to the Sweet 16.

If Wisconsin wins its NCAA tournament opener, the Badgers would likely face Villanova -- the top seed in the entire NCAA tournament -- on Saturday.

Get more from Atlantic Coast Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Atlantic Coast

Big Ten