Wisconsin dominates boards, No. 24 Virginia
Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl (22) is congratulated by teammates during the second half of their opening round game of the National Invitation Tournament Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Crowl scored a career high 36 points. Wisconsin beat Bradley 81-62.
Uwmen14 13 credits: Mark Hoffmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK Steven Crowl posted a double-double and Wisconsin's defense smothered No. 24 Virginia in a 65-41 win Monday at the Fort Myers Tip-Off event in Florida.
Crowl posted 15 points and 10 rebounds for his fifth career double-double and the bigger Badgers (3-2) dominated the offensive glass, scoring 12 second-chance points on 20 offensive rebounds.
Wisconsin outrebounded the Cavaliers 48-21 and outscored them 30-14 in the paint. John Blackwell had 10 points off the bench, Tyler Wahl tallied nine points and 10 rebounds, and Max Klesmit added nine points.
The ice-cold Cavaliers (4-1) never had the lead. Virginia shot 32.6 percent (15 of 46) from the field and 28.6 percent (4 of 14) from 3-point distance.
Reece Beekman led Virginia with 17 points and seven assists. Isaac McKneely had nine points and Ryan Dunn added six points, six rebounds and five blocks.
Down 13 early in the second half, Virginia sliced the deficit to 40-35 on Beekman's three-point play with 12:54 left.
Wisconsin answered the challenge and scored the next 11 points. Crowl's dunk capped the run and made it 51-35 with 9:35 to play.
The Cavaliers never threatened again, and the Badgers' lead ballooned to 65-41 on Blackwell's corner 3-pointer with 3:21 remaining. That was the last basket of the game.
Wisconsin will play the West Virginia-SMU winner on Wednesday, with the loser meeting Virginia in the consolation game the same day.
The Badgers took control after the game was tied 2-2 and led the Cavaliers 28-18 at halftime.
Virginia didn't reach double figures until Andrew Rohde's 3-pointer nearly 12 minutes into the game.
The Cavaliers shot 23.8 percent (5 of 21) in the first half, with five players each contributing one field goal.
Badgers coach Greg Gard and Cavaliers coach Tony Bennett were both assistants on Bo Ryan's staff at Wisconsin from 2001-03.
—Field Level Media
Sunday November 16th Top NBA Betting Picks, Predictions
These Are the NBA's Worst Three-Point Shooters Right Now
College Football Week 12 Best Betting Picks, Predictions
- Commanders vs. Dolphins Week 11 Spain Game Top Betting Picks, Predictions
- UFC 322 Betting Preview: Two Plus-Money Plays to Target Saturday Night
- College Football Week 12 Best Betting Picks, Predictions
- Islanders vs. Mammoth Betting Preview and Prediction: November 14 Top NHL Bet
- Thursday Nov. 13 NBA Picks: Cavaliers, Jazz, and Pacers Top Bets
- Jets vs. Patriots Week 11 Thursday Night Football Top Betting Picks, Predictions
- College Basketball Best Bets Wednesday November 12: Top CBB Picks Today

