--Why is it so hard to beat Wisconsin? Because the Badgers don't beat themselves. Heading into Thursday's NCAA Tournament second-round game against Belmont, Wisconsin leads the nation in turnovers per game (7.39) and free-throw percentage (.824). The Badgers are on a pace to break the Division I records in both categories, though a minor recent slump has dropped the free-throw percentage within range of Harvard's 27-year-old record of .822.

--Wisconsin is one of six schools that has made the NCAA Tournament each of the last 13 seasons. That's strong company alongside Kansas, Duke, Michigan State, Gonzaga and Texas. Each of those schools, with the exception of Gonzaga, has reached the Final Four during its run. The Badgers made their Final Four appearance in 2000 under Dick Bennett. Wisconsin is 8-1 in NCAA openers during the Bo Ryan era, but the Badgers haven't reached the Sweet 16 since 2008.

COACH
Bo Ryan, 10 years at Wisconsin, 10th postseason appearance (all in NCAA)

KEYS TO VICTORY
Wisconsin's man-to-man defense has an interesting tendency this season. The Badgers don't permit opponents to take many 3-pointers (13.9 attempts per game), but their opponents hit an impressive 37.5 percent of those 3s. Considering Belmont loves to shoot 3-pointers (24.8 attempts per game) and hits at a good rate (38.1 percent), something's going to have to give in their second-round matchup. In fact, the Bruins ranked second nationally in 3-pointers made (321) and attempted (842). Another crucial contrast? Belmont ranks third in the nation with 9.7 steals per game, but Wisconsin leads the nation with just 7.4 turnovers per game.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"It's just straight basketball; for a lot of us, it's kind of like a dream. You have nothing else to worry about but coming to the gym and getting better." -- Wisconsin PG Jordan Taylor, explaining to Madison.com while it's so helpful to be on spring break during the first week of the NCAA Tournament.

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