Photo Credit: Ben Garvin/ Pioneer Press
Brackets have been busted and only four teams are left. Â Duke, Michigan State, Wisconsin, and undefeated Kentucky are the teams remaining in the Final Four. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker have frustrated opposing teams, scoring a combined 56 points in the Elite Eight against Arizona. Â 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? Â Yes. Â Will it be easy? Â Absolutely not.
Michigan State vs. Duke
K vs. Izzo. Â Two legendary coaches facing off in the Final Four, does it get any better? Â 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. Â 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. Â Jahlil Okafor has proven worthy of the pre-season hype and will be a nightmare for Michigan State to defend. Â This team seems to clicking on all cylinders with freshman Justice Winslow averaging fourteen points and nearly ten rebounds in the tournament. Â 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.
