The Final 4 is now set. #1 seeds Kentucky, Wisconsin and Duke have made it to the final weekend in Indianapolis, along with #7 seed Michigan State. Duke plays Michigan State in the early game on Saturday, April 4th, while Kentucky will face Wisconsin in the game that follows.
Kentucky is attempting to finish the season as the first undefeated national champion in college basketball since Indiana in 1976. The 38-0 Wildcats had all they could handle on Saturday with 3rd ranked Notre Dame in the Midwest Regional Final. The Fighting Irish led most of the second half, but fell short on a last second 3-pointer to lose 68-66. This was the first time Notre Dame made it to the Elite 8 since 1979.
Wisconsin eliminated the 2nd ranked Arizona Wildcats 85-78 in the West Regional Final. Arizona was one of the favorites to upset a top seed, and qualify for the Final 4, but the Badgers were able to hold them off. Frank Kaminsky led the way with 29 points for Wisconsin.
There was also a match-up between the 2 top seeds in the South Regional Final, with Duke beating Gonzaga 66-52. The Blue Devils will be in their 12th Final 4 since Mike Krzyzewski took over as their head coach. The 12 Final 4 appearances ties Krzyzewski with the legendary John Wooden of UCLA for the most Final 4s in a career by a coach.
The only non-top seed to make it to the Final 4 is 7th seeded Michigan State. The Spartans beat Louisville 76-70 in overtime to win the East region. Top seeded Villanova was upset by North Carolina State in the round of 32 in the East. The Big 10 Conference ended up with 2 teams in the Final 4, Michigan State and Wisconsin.
I’m picking Duke to defeat Michigan State in the first Final 4 game. Duke has been the most impressive team in the tournament so far, disposing of a very good Gonzaga team in the Elite 8 by 14 points. This game will feature 2 great college coaches facing off with Krzyzewski and Tom Izzo of Michigan State.
In the other Final 4 game, I’m going with Wisconsin in an upset of Kentucky. Kentucky had a huge size advantage over Notre Dame, and barely squeezed by. With unanimous All-America selection 7-foot center Kaminsky, the Badgers will alleviate much of the size advantage the Wildcats enjoy over many of their opponents.
In the championship game, I’m once again taking Wisconsin. I think Kaminsky will impose his will on the Blue Devils, in what should be a great final game.
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