LWOS’ NCAA Basketball Department gives their thoughts on the Final Four this weekend. Who will take the big prize and cut down the nets in Indianapolis?
2015 NCAA Tournament Final Four Preview
Wisconsin (1) vs Kentucky (1) 8:49 PM ET (TBS)
Jack Hammond: I expect a great game between these two teams. Similar to what Notre Dame did to Kentucky last weekend, I expect Wisconsin to play with an edge and intensity that will keep them close the whole game. I really respect Kentucky and love Karl-Anthony Towns (who in my opinion should be the first draft choice in the NBA draft), but Wisconsin is the first team Kentucky will face in a while that combines talent with their size. Frank Kaminsky is as skilled as a 7 footer can be, and I expect him to take Towns out on the perimeter and use his variety of skills to lead the Badgers. This game will come down to the guard play, Gasser/Koenig vs Harrison twins/Ulis. Whoever can limit the turnovers and penetrate to create opportunity will guide their team to the championship game. I believe Wisconsin will grind with Kentucky until the very end, but this team, unlike Notre Dame, will close the deal in the final few minutes. If Kentucky wins however, that will not shock me.
Prediction: Wisconsin
Bailey VanHouten: Kentucky’s close win over Notre Dame showed the nation that the Wildcats are certainly beatable, and no other team in the country has the lineup to do it like Wisconsin. Sam Dekker and Frank Kaminsky will certainly have to perform well, but look for role players like Josh Gasser, Bronson Koenig, and Duje Dukan to knock down some threes to open the game up for Wisconsin. Kentucky should throw two of their giants at Frank Kaminsky when he gets the ball in the post; if Nigel Hayes starts killing the Wildcats then they can adjust. Wisconsin will win this game being efficient on offense, but Kentucky will win it if they can lock down the Badgers.
Prediction: Wisconsin
Duke (1) vs Michigan State (7) 6:09 PM ET (TBS)
Jack Hammond: I really like Tom Izzo. He is the March Wizard and his teams always get it done. Yet they are about to run into a well-oiled machine. Gonzaga is a very good team in my opinion, with multiple bigs and a good defense, and grinded out a the win in the second half. I don’t think Duke will struggle as much with Michigan State. However, I know that Izzo’s teams play defense, so Duke may not hit every shot. What makes this Blue Devil squad special is their ability to force turnovers (I’m looking at you, Justise Winslow) and finish in transition. I am warning you now, Tyus Jones will find the open man whether you like it or not. The senior leadership is undeniable on Michigan State, but Duke has so much NBA talent, and I haven’t even talked about their main man Jahlil Okafor. If you stop Okafor, he kicks it out for a three from Quinn Cook, Matt Jones or Tyus Jones. If you stop the three, Okafor will have an isolation and will score. Pick your poison, Spartans. Duke will win this game by 10+ points and advance to the championship to take on Wisconsin.
Prediction: Duke
Bailey VanHouten: Tom Izzo has worked his magic again, and how he did it this year was remarkable. The Spartans “reward” for making the Final Four is the chance to redeem themselves of a previous loss this year to Duke. Spartans Matt Costello and Gavin Schilling will certainly do a better job on Jahlil Okafor — who is in a slump — and Branden Dawson will have to contain a red-hot Justise Winslow. The game could come down to guard play, and both teams’ guards have played well in the tournament. Michigan State’s guards, Travis Trice and Bryn Forbes, among others, aren’t nearly as well known as Duke’s Quinn Cook, Tyus Jones, and Matt Jones, but they play inspired basketball and tenacious defense. If they can penetrate the Blue Devil’s defense, the Spartans could pull of the upset.
Also of note: I didn’t pick against Tom Izzo in any of my east region predictions, and I’m not prepared to now.
Prediction: Michigan State
