MIKE LUCAS Senior Writer

BUFFALO, N.Y. — UWBadgers.com Senior Writer Mike Lucas offered his observations after Wisconsin earned an 84-74 win over Virginia Tech in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the KeyBank Center on Thursday night.

Get it straight from the source by following @LucasAtLarge on Twitter.

LUCAS' FIVE TAKES:

Hard imaging more heart-warming storyline than Khalil Iverson retuning to team after family tragedy to contribute 11pt/7rebs. Huge in 1stH

— Mike Lucas (@LucasAtLarge) March 17, 2017

Under-seeded Badgers now playing with house money vs Nova. Nothing to lose, everything to gain. All the pressure is on the No1 overall seed

— Mike Lucas (@LucasAtLarge) March 17, 2017

UW got the job done at the line: the FT line (Nigel Hayes was clutch) and 3pt line (Bronson Koenig was school record breaker with 8 triples)

— Mike Lucas (@LucasAtLarge) March 17, 2017

Offensive rebounding was big part of UW's winning narrative. Undersized VA Tech fronts post & plays combination defenses that create voids

— Mike Lucas (@LucasAtLarge) March 17, 2017

Challenging to stay out of foul trouble with the way Hokies spread floor for driving lanes. Have to respect perimeter shooters leaving gaps

— Mike Lucas (@LucasAtLarge) March 17, 2017