Once again Kentucky and Wisconsin battle it out for a spot in the NCAA Title game.
Wisconsin wants payback from last year’s matchup. The Cat’s want the 9nth title to hang in Rupp and feel it slipped through their claws last year.
Wisconsin has had a great year with familiar faces from last year. The Badgers dominated a Big 10 play and with two really good reasons.
A deadly duo to be exact. Sam Decker and Frank Kaminsky who combined for 56 points in the Arizona victory. These two make up one of the best duos in college basketball and expect them to show it Saturday evening.
Decker has taken some of the spotlight away from one of the leading Naismith player of the year award, Kaminsky. averaging 25 in his last two games and nailing clutch threes to crank up Arizona’s bus last weekend.
Decker has great athleticism and can drain the three. Look for Willie to guard him because he is a mismatch for Trey Lyles.
On the flip side Lyles should present a mismatch with his mid range game to his ability to finish and convert at the free throw line.
Willie Cauley-Stein is the Cat’s ace in the hole this postseason as the Cats were without Willie in last year’s victory.
Look for Willie Cauley- Stine to be focused after being criticized about his Elite 8 performance against Notre Dame.
Wille Cauley- Stine, a shoo-in for defensive player of the year lacked any kind of offensive attack against Notre Dame. Cauley-Stein couldn’t take advantage of his size against a much shorter defender in the victory.
Look for coach Calipari to get Cauley -Stein the ball early to restore his confidence and presence.
Then there’s Frank the Tank Kaminsky who made it clear in 2011 by tweeting, “I Hate Kentucky!”.
Kaminsky’s game can be compared to a young Dirk Nowitzski. Kaminsky can beat his opponent in many way. The seven footer has a nice three-point stroke and finishes at the rim.
Kaminsky isn’t athletic as Decker. He lacks lateral quickness so look for the Cats to take advantage of Kaminsky on the offensive end.
It all boils down to a few possessions, rebounding, free throws, bench play, and defense. Whichever team puts the big boy pants on will move on.
Coaching isn’t an issue with Two hall of fame caliber coaches in John Calipari and Bo Ryan. Each will be suited and booted calling plays and making adjustments.
Each team has been on this stage before and looking to take care of business Saturday night.
Kentucky hasn’t wavered all year but Wisconsin isn’t the same slow pace team of last year.
Yes, the Badgers lost to Michigan State in the Big 10 tournament but this team is scary good.
Then again Kentucky is 38-0 scary good. Look for Kentucky to push the ball and tempo. The Cats half court offense has been stagnate except for the excellent post play of Karl Towns.
Can Wisconsin beat Kentucky?
Yes.
Can Kentucky go 39-0?
Yes.
Any team can be beaten on any given night.
Kentucky seems to be cool and relaxed and that’s astounding with the media attention the Cats are receiving. If anything the attention turns this team’s buttons and the record viewing audiences eyes glued to the tube.
This team and year is special and Cat fans will remember this team forever. No matter how the season ends Kentucky should be celebrated.
Kentucky wins in a close one 78-72 in a Saturday night thriller to move onto the winner of Michigan State and Duke.