As the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and Madison both head for the Sweet 16, fans are gearing up for two days of intense March Madness.

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Two WI Teams In Sweet Sixteen

While Madison might hold the title of best college sports town, Milwaukee has people waiting in lines and opening stores for fans wanting Panthers gear.

"We had a big spike (in sales) after we won on Thursday, a big spike after we won on Saturday night, and I suspect we'll have some more big spikes this week," said Linda Hausladen, who works at the UW-Milwaukee bookstore.

Badger fans have had success in the NCAA tournament before, but this is the first time in the Sweet 16 for the Panthers.

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The location of the two games might contribute to fans' attendance. The Badgers play North Carolina State in Syracuse, N.Y., and the Panthers play No. 1 seeded University of Illinois in Rosemont, Ill.

The Badgers have never played North Carolina or North Carolina State, but if Wisconsin beats the Wolfpack Friday in Syracuse, the Badgers will probably face the top-seeded Tar Heels -- with the winner moving onto the Final Four.

Cynics said the Badgers have gotten a break by avoiding potential matchups with third-seeded Kansas and second-seeded Connecticut, but the Badgers showed a lot of grit by beating upset-minded Northern Iowa and Bucknell in Oklahoma City.

"I think we all know with this tournament (that) what conference you come from or what seed you are that has no meaning just because all the games are down to the wire, Badgers guard Clayton Hanson said.

"Coming into this season, I know a lot of people were doubting us. They didn't think we were gonna be able to make it this far and to get the opportunity to keep playing and knowing that only 16 teams to practice tomorrow, and we're one of the 16 teams -- I mean, it's just a great feeling," Badgers guard Kammron Taylor said.

There are plenty of interesting sideline stories to these matchups.

One reason that UWM coach Bruce Pearl is in the spotlight is a story he would rather not have dredged up again, but one that he has faced head-on this week.

Back in 1989, when he was an assistant coach at University of Iowa, Pearl taped phone calls with recruit Deon Thomas, which led to a NCAA investigation of the University of Illinos program and eventual sanctions -- and a longtime feud with current Illinois-Chicago coach Jimmy Collins.

Many Illinois fans have not forgotten.

"I'm a good man. I'm a good father. I'm a good person But I was involved in something that did them harm so I understand if they feel Bruce Pearl isn't their favorite coach in the country," Pearl said.

"We heard from players today. We heard from fans. I've heard some things I can't even say in a press conference, but I understand. But at the same time, we're worrying about beating them," Illinois head coach Bruce Weber said.

Weber is a UW-Milwaukee graduate, and Illini forward James Augustine is the nephew of UW-Milwaukee baseball coach Jerry Augustine.

Pearl's sense of humor and lack of coach-speak have made him a media darling. Take for instance the response he gave Monday when informed the odds on his Panthers winning the national title have dropped from 400-to-1 to 18-to-1.

"Eighteen-to-1? I would think it still should be 400-to-1. Have you seen that regional? Arizona, Illinois, Oklahoma State, UW-Milwaukee, All household names in Division 1 college basketball. This is almost a Final Four kind of feel," Pearl said.