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2015 NCAA Tournament: Final Four Predictions

By Mike Marteny

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Mar 28, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kentucky Wildcats fans hold up a sign after the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the finals of the midwest regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena. Kentucky won 68-66. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

And then there were four. We have made it to the National Semifinal matchups! So far I am 43-17 in the round by round predictions. That is not terrible, but not what I was hoping for either.

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Here are my Final Four predictions!

(1)Kentucky vs. (1)Wisconsin:

Kentucky was tested, I mean really tested, for the first time this year. Notre Dame almost had the game in hand. They did it by attacking the Wildcats on the interior and making the extra pass to get a good shot. Kentucky’s ability to get to the foul line and selective shooting from the outside helped them take back this game. They locked down the Irish from the perimeter, especially later in the game when it really mattered. This might have been the best thing that could have happened to the Wildcats. Championship teams need their mettle tested.

Wisconsin methodically disposed of Arizona. No one should be surprised by this. It’s what they do. The Badgers shot 12-18 from beyond the arc to take control of the game. Arizona kept it close by getting to the free throw line and hitting 93% of said free throws, but they couldn’t do anything about the Badgers’ hot shooting. Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker dominated Arizona inside and out.

The Badgers will likely need to shoot that well again to beat Kentucky. The bad news for the Wildcats is that the Badgers are very good at making the extra pass and attacking the interior. That is exactly what Notre Dame did to them. The difference was that the Irish couldn’t knock down shots from the outside. Wisconsin can. Pick: Wisconsin

Next: National Semifinal 2

Mar 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Matt Jones (13) celebrates as time expires during the second half in the finals of the south regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

(1)Duke vs. (7)Michigan State:

Duke held the nation’s best shooting team to “just” 44% from the field, but only 20% from three point range. It was the Duke guards who ran Gonzaga ragged. Jahlil Okafor was quiet offensively, but he was still a force on defense. Perhaps the most surprising thing was that the Blue Devils got zero points in 31 bench minutes. They didn’t need the production against Gonzaga. They might later on.

Michigan State is lucky that they get some time off after that street brawl with Louisville. Wayne Blackshear carried the Cardinals. Terry Rozier went an abysmal 6-23 from the floor. The Spartan defense came up big once again, holding the Cardinals to 36% from the floor. The Spartans are going to have their work cut out for them against Duke and their shooters.

It seems absurd to call Michigan State a “Cinderella” team, but they are a seven seed. But if you read my East Region capsule, you know they were underseeded. One could argue that they were the best team in the region over the last ten games or so.

The Spartans are going to have trouble with Justise Winslow and Jahlil Okafor up front. Then again, Travis Trice and Denzel Valentine could prove to be troublesome for the Duke guards. I think the Spartans can slow Duke down, but the Blue Devils’ defense can be just as good. All that against a offense that struggled at times during the season anyway. Pick: Duke

Next: Is Bryce Harper A Top Ten Outfielder?

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