Match-up:
(8) Kentucky Wildcats (28-10 overall, 12-6 SEC)
vs.
(2) Wisconsin Badgers (30-7 overall, 12-6 Big Ten)
Tip-Off:
8:49pm EST / 5:49pm PST
Favorite:
Kentucky by 1
Team Leaders:
Points: Kentucky -- Aaron Harrison (16.0 ppg) Wisconsin -- Frank Kaminsky (18.5 ppg)
Rebounds: Kentucky -- Julius Randle (12.0 rpg) Wisconsin -- Frank Kaminsky (6.0 rpg)
Assists: Kentucky -- Aaron Harrison (5.3 apg) Wisconsin -- Traevon Jackson (4.5 apg)
Kentucky will win if...
John Calipari's rotating-door NBA factory plays to their obvious athletic advantages. Julius Randle has been an absolute monster on the boards during the Tourney, and if one or both of the Harrison twins can go into game-long heat check mode, the Wildcats' firepower can topple the higher-seeded Badgers.
Wisconsin will win if...
The Badgers resist the temptation to go up-tempo with the Wildcats, settling comfortably into their swing-offense and working the ball down low to Kaminsky. This Badgers is able and willing to get into shootouts when they need to, however tonight is not the time. Bo Ryan knows defense, and if he can keep his kids balanced between being loose emotionally and focused in their assignments, Wisconsin can pull a minor Vegas upset.
Prediction:
System over talent. Kentucky's has had a serendipitous run to the Final Four and deserves ample credit for pulling everything together so quickly. However, Bo Ryan and his less flashy group of grinders are just the team to expose Kentucky in the same ways they were exposed during the regular season. Wisconsin 70, Kentucky 63
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