5 Reasons Why Wisconsin Will Win The NCAA Title
BOSTON (CBS) - The Badgers from Wisconsin have done what no one in their right minds expected to happen this year--beat undefeated Kentucky. As great of a feat as that is, Wisconsin isn't done yet, and a match up against powerhouse Duke should produce a title game for the ages. Here's the top five reasons why Wisconsin will be left standing come Monday night.
1. Momentum, Momentum, Momentum
As great as Wisconsin as been all year, pulling off an upset against Kentucky is still shocking to everyone and their mother. Kentucky was an NBA team playing against college kids, a roster full of lottery picks and lengthy big men, an indestructible group poised for unprecedented perfection. Not so fast. The Badgers avenged last year's Final Four dagger in their heart, and that momentum is absolutely going to carry into Monday's title game. Wisconsin believed they could beat Kentucky, and they certainly know they can outplay Duke for 40 minutes. The mental game is half the battle, and this Wisco team believes they can continue to do great things.
2. Sam Dekker is playing out of his mind
We all know AP Player of the Year Frank Kaminsky is a living mismatch at any spot on the court, but his 6'9" teammate Sam Dekker has been the Robin to the 'Frank the Tank' Batman. Dekker put the team on his back against Arizona in the Elite 8, dropping 27 points and draining a ridiculous trey to seal the deal. Against Kentucky, Dekker relentlessly attacked the basket, fearless of the Kentucky big men, and either scored or created openings for his teammates all night long. When Dekker is playing this well, teams can't just focus on stopping Kaminsky. Wisconsin has slowly transformed into a two-headed monster in Kaminsky and Dekker, and matching up against these two is going to be a problem for Duke, especially with Dekker's underrated size.
3. Badgers are full of experience
Experience on the big stage is nothing to be overlooked in college ball. Wisconsin is as battle-tested as they come, coming off a string of wins against UNC, Arizona and Kentucky to reach the title game. This Badger team is also essentially the same as last year's squad, who made a deep run to the Final Four. Nothing is going to phase Wisconsin, and as we saw against the Wildcats, they will never give up. The upperclassmen on this team are also their best players, which comes into play when opposing teams inevitably go on runs. Against Kentucky, both teams traded haymakers, going on second-half scoring spurts that would make spectators think the other team will fold at any time. Wisconsin withstood those ups and downs just like they have all season, so don't expect Duke to provide a knockout punch at any point in the game.
4. Roster depth vs. Duke's instability
While both Wisconsin and Duke like to stick to their starters the majority of the game, the Badgers get the nod in terms of depth of talent on their team, which can prove pivotal when each teams' top guns need a breather. Duje Dukan and Traevon Jackson, both seniors, can come off the bench for coach Bo Ryan and provide great minutes on both ends of the floor. If Duke's Jahlil Okafor has to sit from fouls or fatigue, they go to Marshall Plumlee, who can hold his own on defense but is a major offensive liability. No other guard or forward on Duke can really provide a consistent spark off the bench, forcing their starters to carry the scoring load all game long. Foul trouble could prove deadly for Duke, while experience coming off the bench for Wisconsin could make a huge difference throughout the game.
5. The stars are aligning, right?
Despite having the best player in the country, Wisconsin has flown under the radar all year, quietly owning the Big 10 and basketball in general in the midwest. They may not be the most athletic, the tallest, or the fastest team, but they're coming off a win over a historic Kentucky team that was untouchable all year long. They don't look like a Division 1 basketball team, let alone one of the last two standing, and they don't care because they're having fun doing it. They've got the mojo going, and it just seems like this is finally the year for the Badgers.