The Wisconsin Badgers reached the Final Four for the first time in Ryan’s tenure in 2014. (Getty)
Final Score
Arizona 33-45–78
Wisconsin 30-55–85
In a historic shooting performance, the Wisconsin Badgers became the first team to advance to the 2015 Final Four in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis with a 85-78 win against the Arizona Wildcats. After a heartbreaking loss last season for Arizona, this one may have been a little worse.
Entering the game, Arizona was historically one of the most defensive efficient teams. The Badgers shot 56% from the floor and 67%!!!!! from three-point land.
Wisconsin awaits the winner of Kentucky vs. Notre Dame in the Final Four. If Kentucky wins, it would set up a rematch of last year’s National Semifinal game that Kentucky won.
Click here for a full box score and continued recap of the game.
Game Notes:
Wisconsin and Arizona have combined to make just 4 of their last 19 shot attempts. #Badgers shooting 29% for the game, Arizona at 27%.
– The Wisconsin Badgers started with a quick 10-2 run over five minutes into the game. Arizona eventually settled into the game. Frank Kaminsky’s was the game’s leading scorer at halftime with 13 points. The wildcats had a balanced scoring attack
VIDEO: Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky blatantly flops vs. Arizona #TBS #Elite8 #MarchMadness http://t.co/sUJYDiXuks http://t.co/J6UaYqnJ6m
Great game so far. Won’t be surprised if they go into overtime again.
Three minutes into the 2nd half, Kaminsky scored his 20th point of the game. Kaminsky’s Elite Eight performances against Arizona have been legendary.
Frank Kaminsky has 3 20-point games in his NCAA Tournament career, 2 have come against Arizona.
Multiple 25-point games against the same team in Elite 8 or later: Frank Kaminsky vs Arizona, Anderson Hunt vs Duke, Jerry Lucas vs Kentucky
Wisconsin is 6 of 7 on 3-pointers this half after 2 of 6 in 1st half. Danger time for Arizona.
– Wisconsin’s 2nd-half shooting has been crazy good. For the game, they’re shooting 53% and 64% (!!!) from three-point land. Dekker and Kaminsky have 50 of Wisconsin’s 79 points in the game. Dekker has made himself a lot of money in this NCAA Tournament.
With under a minute left, Dekker hit another three-point shot, which was the dagger for Arizona.
Arizona Looks to Avenge Last Year’s Elite Eight Loss to Wisconsin
Last year, the roles were reversed — Arizona was the No. 1 seed in the West and Wisconsin was a No. 2. In a thrilling overtime game, Wisconsin upset Arizona 64-63 to reach the Final Four for the first time in Bo Ryan‘s tenure as the head coach of the Badgers. The game, however, ended in controversy due to an oddly-timed “charge” call against Arizona in the waning seconds.
Here is the full game on YouTube.
Arizona returns a potent lineup that rolled through the Pac-12 en route to their second straight Elite Eight. The Wildcats are lead by NBA prospects Stanley Johnson — who has had a quiet Tournament — and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. They also boast plenty of size in Brandon Ashley and Kaleb Tarczewski and scoring depth in senior guard T.J. McConnell and three-point spark plug Gabe York off the bench.
Wisconsin predominantly returns the same lineup led by their important quartet of: All-American Frank Kaminsky, Sam Dekker, Nigel Hayes and Traevon Jackson. The Badgers won the Big Ten by defeating a game Michigan State — who plays Louisville in the Elite Eight on Sunday — and got through tough Oregon and North Carolina tests in the earlier rounds.
Wildcats head coach Sean Miller has still never made a Final Four, and will look to continue to lead this group on a redemption path to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Arizona vs. Wisconsin: Score, Stats & Highlights