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Frank Kaminsky goes for 27 as No. 1 Wisconsin coasts

Frank Kaminsky, Warren Gillis

AP Photo

AP

Frank Kaminsky had 27 points, 12 boards and four assists to lead No. 1 Wisconsin as the Badgers rolled over No. 16 Coastal Carolina in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, 86-72.

The Badgers shot 54.1 percent from the floor and 11-for-27 from three in the win, notching a cool 1.36 points per possession; for those of you that aren’t statistically inclined, that’s a ridiculous number. Sam Dekker added 20 points and Nigel Hayes kicked in 15 and eight boards.

But here’s the thing: Wisconsin did not look good defensively. At all. The Chanticleers shot 48.3 percent from the floor, 7-for-12 from three and, since we’re on the advanced numbers here, 1.14 PPP. With all due respect, if Coastal Carolina can light up Wisconsin’s defense, what is going to happen when the Badgers are tasked with slowing down No. 8 Oregon and their star Joseph Young?

Part of this was likely some combination of Coastal Carolina playing out of their minds and Wisconsin throwing it in cruise control knowing they didn’t need to play their best to get to the Round of 32, but even the most biased Wisconsin fan will tell you: They need to be better if they’re going to go as far as they want to.