April 06--Offense
Wisconsin, which averages 76.9 points per tournament game, is the most efficient offensive team in the nation. The Badgers shot 47.9 percent for the game, including 50 percent in the second half, against Kentucky in Saturday's victory against one of the nation's top defenses. Frank Kaminsky (18.7 points) and Sam Dekker (13.9) have scoring prowess. And the Badgers aren't shaken easily. Duke star Jahlil Okafor is averaging only 11 points over his last three games.
Edge: Wisconsin
Defense
This could be a wash. Neither team is known for lock-down defense or for having a star defender. But give credit to Duke for holding Wisconsin to 40 percent shooting and limiting Dekker, who was still dealing with an ankle injury, to five points and Nigel Hayes to four points in the first meeting in December. Wisconsin allowed Duke to shoot 65 percent in that game.
Edge: Duke
Coaching
Among active Division I coaches, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski (No. 1) and Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan (No. 5) are among the most winning. But Krzyzewski is an NCAA tournament master. Monday's game will be his ninth appearance in the title game, where he has a 4-4 record. Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan is a master at guiding his players, but he is making his first championship game appearance.
Edge: Duke
Intangibles
While Duke is a name-brand powerhouse, the Badgers are a top seed without the same high profile. They already checked off one revenge game, beating Kentucky in the Final Four after losing to the Wildcats on the same stage last season. Now Wisconsin can take out the Blue Devils who beat them on Dec. 3 and put the program among the nation's elite.
Edge: Wisconsin
Prediction: Wisconsin 75, Duke 67.
