PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas -- Georgetown has been much maligned the last few seasons, and with good reason. The Hoyas haven't finished well.

If the Hoyas can duplicate their play from the final minutes in a wild 66-65 win over Florida in Thursday's semifinal against Wisconsin -- or for that matter, other upcoming high-profile games -- Georgetown may be heading for a season of redemption.

"We're tough, we can scrap," said Georgetown coach John Thompson III. "We've got a group that is going to get better. We don't quit."

The Hoyas overcame all sorts of challenges in the win over the Gators -- issues that could arise against the Badgers. Joshua Smith, back with Georgetown after missing half of last season due to academics, was called for multiple flagrant fouls as the Gators leaned on him when he was in the post.

Thompson said Smith needs to be able to turn in the post without getting whistled. He'll need to do so without committing a foul against Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky.

The Hoyas have multiple offensive weapons. D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera hit the game-winning shot at the top of the key with 3.4 seconds left (moments after Kasey Hill gave the Gators a lead on a 3-point play). But Thompson recognized how Smith-Rivera found freshman L.J. Peak for a 3-pointer late.

Smith-Rivera said while the Hoyas will have plenty to deal with, he was quick to point out the Badgers may have a hard time handling Georgetown. This team can make key shots (not necessarily at a high percentage), get to the free throw line and grab rebounds. Turnovers are still an issue, and the Badgers are playing defense quite well.

While Kentucky has dominating depth, size and length, no other team can match Wisconsin's experience. Just two weeks into the season, the Badgers are already in March form. How the Badgers dismantled a youthful UAB squad in a 72-43 quarterfinal win in the Battle 4 Atlantis on Wednesday bodes well for them heading into the first real test of the young season.

Against the Blazers, Wisconsin was on full display: They shared the ball, finished on the break, played inside and out, made key 3s when needed and proved that they have plenty of options.

"We play off each other pretty easily, which at this point in the year, is nice to have," said Wisconsin guard Josh Gasser. "We have different guys stepping up at different moments ... but I think we're playing really well on the defensive end as well.”

The Badgers will need to maintain the same defensive intensity Thursday afternoon (3:30 ET). The wow factor for the Badgers is how much they value each play.

“We have [a team] with character, we like to compete ... I expect these guys to compete in practice, so games aren’t really different and no matter what the score is, each possession to us is a point," Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan said. "The idea is to take care of business when you can.”

The Badgers have three potential first-round picks in Kaminsky, Sam Dekker and Nigel Hayes. They have discipline and don't take plays off. They treat the game professionally, and it shows. Kaminsky said seeing the team hang out together on the beach Monday was something that wouldn't have occurred a year ago when the team went to the Final Four. Every player is all-in with this group.

“We’ve been working all summer for [this]," said Kaminsky. "We learned that every single possession can dictate the outcome of the game. You have to bring it for 40 minutes every single game, every time you step on the court. You have four years of this then it’s over. To be able to play with these guys, have the coaching staff we do, and represent Wisconsin the way we do is awesome.”

Butler versus Oklahoma (1 p.m. ET)

Butler has its underdog buzz going again with its upset of North Carolina on Wednesday. The Bulldogs can't be dismissed in any game on their schedule, let alone the rest of this tournament (yes, even if they were to play Wisconsin in a final). To beat Oklahoma, Butler has to bang the boards against a taller, and perceived to be more physical Sooners squad, as well as somehow checking scorer Buddy Hield, who scored 24 against UCLA.

Butler had 29 offensive rebounds in a 57-40 overall rebounding edge over the Tar Heels. Alex Barlow, a former walk-on and typical gritty Bulldog, had 17 points while freshman Kelan Martin had a stellar 17 against the more hyped Carolina freshmen.

"They play so tough and execute," said Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger. "They have a history of excellent guard play."

Kruger said Tuesday that the one issue for this group of Sooners has been to answer the challenges. They weren't able to finish at Creighton in a game Kruger wanted to use to push his team. Beating Butler would be the type of answer he would be looking for after Oklahoma was able to pull away from UCLA and control the tempo in the second half Wednesday.

Hield relished the role of homecoming king, playing in his native Bahamas on Wednesday. He had 40-plus friends and family in attendance. The script doesn't always end well when it's a player's turn to play in front of his crew. Yet Hield showed no nerves, embraced the moment and excelled.

Late Wednesday night, Hield was at the ticket counter at the Atlantis still sorting through his allotment. He was the only Sooner around.

Hield will have the crowd, giving Butler something else to overcome.

"We will need to be highly detailed defensively and be better offensively than we were [against UNC]," said Butler interim coach Chris Holtmann. "They have a great offensive pace to them. Will be a heck of a test for us."