In what started with 68 teams from all over the country, the fierce competition and intense games have dwindled the tournament field down to four teams: Duke, Michigan State, Kentucky, and Wisconsin. In a year when all four teams have made or won the Final Four at least once in the past 5 years, the resulting teams should not surprise the common fan who has become accustomed to watching these perennial powers dominate the college basketball landscape.

Saturday, April 4th on TBS:

(1)  Duke vs. (7) Michigan State at 6:09 PM (ET):

In a battle of two very different teams, styles will clash in each squad’s attempt to reach the National Championship Game. For Duke, 6’11 star center Jahlil Okafor (17.7 points and 9.0 rebounds per game) will be vital in creating mismatches against the Spartans’ undersized frontcourt and winning in the paint. Additionally, Duke features two freshman guards, Tyus Jones and Justice Winslow, who will use their speed and knack for scoring on the fast break to get easy baskets.

For Michigan State, they are in the midst of the most improbable tournament run in their program history, this year as a 7-seed, with their signature win coming against 2-seed Virginia, who was heavily favored to go far in the tournament.

The key to the game will be getting senior guard Travis Trice (15.3 points and 5.2 assists per game) involved early and letting him control the pace of the game. If Spartan big men Marvin Clark Jr. and Matt Costello can get bodies on the bigs of Duke and stay out of foul trouble, this game could go down to the wire.

(1)  Kentucky vs (1) Wisconsin at 8:49 PM (ET):

Nearly everyone who loves college basketball has been waiting to see a team that could match up with and potentially knock off the overall #1 seed, the Kentucky Wildcats (38-0).

With fellow #1 seed Wisconsin the next challenger to Kentucky’s run at history, the Badgers have to have confidence in themselves that they can advance to the National Championship. Watching Kentucky barely pull out a win over 3rd seeded Notre Dame, who featured not one player over 6’9, had to give them hope. The Badgers roll out the most efficient offense in the nation led by 7 foot Naismith Player of the Year frontrunner Frank Kaminsky, who dominates the paint but can also nail pull up, contested jumpers. Kaminsky playing well will be key to Wisconsin’s bid to upset the Wildcats.

For Kentucky, the opportunity at history is within grasp. No team in the tournament era has ever gone 40-0 and won the National Championship, and that is the path they are heading on. Known for their dominating presence in the paint and lockdown perimeter defense, the Wildcats are viewed by many as the alpha dog in college basketball.

For the Wildcats to advance to their third National Championship in four years, forwards Willie Cauley-Stein (9.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game) and Karl Anthony-Towns (10.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game) will have to have big games. Their presence in the paint, offensively and defensively, will determine how well they can get easy shots for twin guards Andrew and Aaron Harrison. While Kentucky has been the heavy favorite to go all the way since the start of the season, don’t sleep on the Badgers and their ambition to make this game a tight one with a berth in the title game at stake.

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Let us know who you think is going to win in the comments below!

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