And the NCAA National Championship game matchup is set. On Monday, April 6 it will be Wisconsin vs. Duke.
No. 1 Duke has advanced to the title game after knocking off No. 7 Michigan State in the Final Four. A year removed from last year’s tournament dismissal in the round of 64, the Blue Devils have bounced back to use the No. 1 high school recruit and top NBA Draft pick along with the NCAA’s winningest coach to put together a winning recipe.
A look at Coach K and Duke’s journey through the tourney: the Blue Devils received a selection committee bid, and have since defeated No. 16 Robert Morris, No. 8 San Diego State, No. 5 Utah and No. 2 Gonzaga. This will be their first time in the national championship game since winning it in 2010 and Coach K’s ninth of his career with the Blue Devils.
Duke will go up against No. 1 Wisconsin – the team that wrecked No. 1 Kentucky’s perfect record and hopes of a national championship.
The Badgers are in their second-consecutive Final Four appearance and head coach Bo Ryan has helped Wisconsin take its automatic tournament bid and run with it. The Badgers defeated No. 16 Coastal Carolina, No. 8 Oregon, No. 4 North Carolina and No. 2 Arizona to bring them to their third tournament rematch from last year. And boy was it the game of the season as the Badgers knocked off the 38-0 Kentucky Wildcats in an epic game, 71-64. The Badgers will look to claim the program’s first National Championship since 1941.
Here’s what you need to know about the game:
The Basics
Who:
No. 1 Duke vs. No. 1 Wisconsin
What:
NCAA Tournament Final Four
When:
Monday, April 6
Where:
Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana
Time:
9:18 p.m. Eastern
Channel:
CBS
Line:
The game opened as a pick-eam at both Pinnacle Sports and the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook. Fivethirtyeight gives Wisconsin a 53 percent chance to win. Keep up with OddsShark for betting updates and line movement over the next two days.
Scouting Duke
Record: 34-4 overall, 15-3 ACC
Coach: Mike Krzyzewski, 34th season
Offensive Points Per Game: 80.6
Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 65.3
Scoring Leader: Jahlil Okafor, 17.8
Rebounding Leader: Jahlil Okafor, 8.8
Assists Leader: Tyus Jones, 5.8
Scouting Wisconsin
Record: 36-3 overall, 16-2 Big Ten
Coach: Bo Ryan, 14th season
Offensive Points Per Game: 71.7
Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 55.7
Scoring Leaders: Frank Kaminsky, 18.4
Rebounding Leader: Frank Kaminsky, 8.1
Assists Leader: Traevon Jackson, 2.9
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Duke vs. Wisconsin: Date, Time, Channel & Line