Tons of support in stands as Badgers crush American Univ.

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Ben Brust scored 17 points to pace second-seed Wisconsin to crushing 75-35 rout of American. The Badgers recovered from an early seven-point deficit with a 22-5 run to close the first half. As the Badgers rolled on Thursday afternoon, March 20th, they had plenty of family members and friends in the stands to cheer them on. For some family members, the trip to Milwaukee was even more convenient than going to Madison!

After opening the tournament with a crushing win over American, Ben Brust trotted back to the locker room by himself. But in the stands, he said he knows there was plenty of support.

"It's great. I live pretty close to here. Even though I'm from Illinois, Milwaukee is right around the corner for us and I've got five nieces and nephews, three siblings that are all married, my parents, a lot of family and friends," Brust said.

"It's a surreal experience.  I mean it's one of those things where you grow up playing hoops in the driveway and you always emulate your favorite players and then finally, your little brother gets there. It's been a pretty cool experience following him around the last four years," Jonathan Brust, Ben Brust's older brother said.

Over the last two days, the team has practiced and then played before thousands of fans who don't need to be family to love the Badgers.

"We both watch college basketball together all the time and we're both Wisconsin fans so we decided this would be the perfect opportunity," Dean and Jacob Lax, who came from Brownsville said.

While there was nothing but love for the Badgers in the stands at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Thursday, some sibling rivalries never die.

"He still hasn't beat me but that's because I stopped playing him four years ago! I'm wiser than he is," Jonathan Brust said.

"Oh my gosh, that's just Jonathan talking. I love my brothers. They're crazy and they bring a lot of energy. I'm sure I'll be hearing them the rest of the trip," Ben Brust said.

Brust was the team's second-leading scorer with 17 points. His four three-pointers led the Badgers who, on the whole, had plenty of success from long distance.

They'll look to continue their NCAA Tournament run on Saturday in Milwaukee, when they take on the Oregon Ducks.