Photo Credit: Ben Garvin/ Pioneer Press
Brackets have been busted and only four teams are left. Duke, Michigan State, Wisconsin, and undefeated Kentucky are the teams remaining in the Final Four. The two games are set for today to determine who will play for the NCAA Championship.
Wisconsin vs. Kentucky
Kentucky has been the team on everyone’s lips. Whether you love them or hate them, you are interested in their journey to perfection. They survived their biggest scare against Notre Dame last weekend and will face a big test against Wisconsin. Notre Dame was able to compete with the Wildcats by playing a nearly perfect game, only committing seven turnovers and hitting 52 percent of their shots. However, Kentucky thrives when the pressure is the highest which makes them that much better.
Wisconsin will not be an easy match up for Kentucky. Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker have frustrated opposing teams, scoring a combined 56 points in the Elite Eight against Arizona. Of course, Kentucky has the size, speed, and athleticism to stop both Kaminsky and Dekker. However, the Badgers do not turn over the ball often and have one of the most high-powered offenses in the nation. Can Kentucky remain perfect? Yes. Will it be easy? Absolutely not.
Michigan State vs. Duke
K vs. Izzo. Two legendary coaches facing off in the Final Four, does it get any better? Anyone who is surprised seventh seed Michigan State is in the Final Four must not know about Tom Izzo. One of the greatest coaches in college basketball and a very talented team, including Travis Trice who Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski said is having a better tournament than anyone. During their regular season meeting, Michigan State defeated Duke 81-71 with Trice scoring fifteen.
Duke has all the talented needed to win the tournament and a head coach with plenty of experience. Jahlil Okafor has proven worthy of the pre-season hype and will be a nightmare for Michigan State to defend. This team seems to clicking on all cylinders with freshman Justice Winslow averaging fourteen points and nearly ten rebounds in the tournament. If the Spartans focus on taking Okafor out of the game that will leave Winslow and Tyus Jones open to shoot threes, something they are more than capable of doing.
