By SCOTT NOVAK

Niles Daily Star

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Wisconsin Badgers enter the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament after a 15-day layoff.

The Badgers (21-10) will take on Vermont in the opening game of the tournament on Sunday at noon at the Joyce Center.

Vermont enters the contest with a record of 26-6.

Wisconsin coach Lisa Stone and the Badger players aren’t concerned about the layoff.

In fact, they are ready to get back to playing according to junior guard Alyssa Karel.

“Everyone’s is really itching to get back on the court,” Karel said at the noon press conference on Saturday.

Karel said that the team has been practicing in game-like conditions and that those practices have been “really intense.”

Wisconsin has started the same five players all 31 games this season.

They are led by Karel, who averages 14.4 points per game and 1.7 assists for the Badgers. Her career high of 31 points came against Big Ten champion Ohio State.

Wisconsin also can expect big things from 6-foot-1 junior Tara Steinbauer, who has five double-doubles this season.

The remaining starters are Rae Lin D’Alie, Teah Gant and Lin Zastrow.

Wisconsin is a defensive team according to its coach.

“We are a defensive-minded team, and it”s our identity,” Stone said. “Our defense is our best offense. When we look at getting stops, playing together and being there for one another on the defensive end it turns into our offense.

Stone added that the experience of being at the NCAA tournament is a good one for the program.

“I am very excited to bring this team to the national stage.”

The winner of Sunday’s opening game will advance to Tuesday’s second round where they will face either Notre Dame or Cleveland State.

The No. 2 seeded Fighting Irish will take on Cleveland State at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.