April 03--WHO -- No. 1 Wisconsin (35-3) vs. No. 1 Kentucky (38-0).
WHAT: NCAA men's basketball national semifinal, Saturday, 5:45 PDT.
WHERE: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis. TV: TBS.
UPDATE: Kentucky scored on its last nine possessions to stave off Notre Dame last week to win the Midwest Regional in Cleveland and move to within two wins of a perfect 40-0 season. Wisconsin won the West with a win over Arizona at Staples Center in a game in which forwards Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker combined for 56 points. Wisconsin shot 78.9% in the second half against Arizona. Kentucky defeated Wisconsin, by one point, in a national semifinal game last year. Kentucky is the first team to start a season 38-0. The Wildcats boast one of the tallest and deepest lineups in the nation, led by 7-foot junior forward Willie Cauley-Stein and 6-11 freshman forward Karl-Anthony Towns. Wisconsin relies on solid defense and efficiency on offense. The Badgers lead the nation in fewest fouls (12.4), fewest turnovers (7.4) and fewest opposing free throws (11.6). Wisconsin's offense averages 127.5 points per 100 possessions. "We're a defensive-minded team who can also score points," Kaminsky said.
STARTERS
Wisconsin; Ht.; Wt.; PPG; P; Kentucky; Ht.; Wt.; PPG
Josh Gasser; 6-4; 192; 6.9; G; Aaron Harrison; 6-6, 212, 11.0
Bronson Koenig; 6-4; 190; 8.6; G; Andrew Harrison; 6-6, 210; 9.2
Frank Kaminsky; 7-0; 242; 18.7; C; Willie Cauley-Stein; 7-0; 240; 9.1
Nigel Hayes; 6-8; 235; 12.4; F; Trey Lyles; 6-10; 235; 8.7
Sam Dekker; 6-9; 230; 13.9; F; Karl-Anthony Towns; 6-11; 250; 10.1
RESERVES
Wisconsin; Ht.; Wt.; PPG; P; Kentucky; Ht.; Wt.; PPG
Zak Showalter; 6-2; 185; 2.1; G; Devin Booker; 6-6; 206; 10.1
Traevon Jackson; 6-3; 207; 8.6; G; Tyler Ulis; 5-9; 155; 5.6
Duje Dukan; 6-10; 218; 4.8; F/C; Dakari Johnson; 7-0; 255; 6.5
