Final Four: They're Off To Indy!

Indianapolis is about to be invaded with a sea of blue. That’s what happens when you have the best team in college basketball still playing who also just so happens to have the most dedicated fan base in the sport.

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With the conclusion of Sunday’s action, the Final Four field is set, meaning we’re just about to say goodbye to the NCAA Tournament. It’s a sad day when that comes, but there’s still a week until we have to let go and wait until November for action to start up again.

Fans couldn’t have asked for better games to set the Final Four field. Saturday featured two fantastic games, one of which made television history. Sunday had two solid games of its own, including one that went to overtime and another that was close throughout before one team pulled away late.

Before we get into the in-depth previews of the teams and games throughout the week leading up to Saturday, here’s a quick rundown of each of the four teams that will fight for their right to play for the title. Nobody knows what to expect, but it should be a lot of fun.

Wisconsin Badgers (35-3)

Mar 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) holds a piece of the net after the 85-78 victory against Arizona Wildcats following the finals of the west regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

1-seed, West Region

NCAA Tournament Wins: Coastal Carolina, Oregon, North Carolina and Arizona

Key Player(s): Frank Kaminsky, Sam Dekker

Wisconsin enters the Final Four on a 10-game winning streak. Frank Kaminsky, a finalist for the Wooden Award, has had a fantastic season, leading the Badgers in points (18.2), rebounds (8.0) and blocks (1.5). Despite drawing most of the attention from opposing defenses, Kaminsky has been able to eat teams alive with his good foot work and aggressiveness getting to the basket.

Kaminsky’s been the star, but Sam Dekker’s emergence over the last few weeks may be the key piece to Wisconsin trying to get to the national championship game. Dekker has scored 20 points or more in his last two games, the first time he’s done that in his three-year college career. He’s asserting himself into the offense, knocking down shots and boosting his NBA draft stock in the process. His assertiveness has come along at the perfect time for the Badgers, giving the team another dynamic.

Wisconsin now gets their chance to avenge a Final Four loss to Kentucky last season.

Kentucky Wildcats (38-0)

Mar 28, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Karl-Anthony Towns (12) and guard Aaron Harrison (2) and guard Tyler Ulis (3) jump in the air after the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the finals of the midwest regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena. Kentucky won 68-66. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

1-seed, Midwest Region

NCAA Tournament wins: Hampton, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Notre Dame

Key Player(s): Karl-Anthony Towns, Aaron Harrison

Though the freshman has been a bit inconsistent as of late, Karl-Anthony Towns showed in the Notre Dame game just how valuable he is to Kentucky. The only Kentucky big with a true back-to-the-basket game, Towns went for a career-high 25 points against the Fighting Irish, being the only real offensive weapon the Wildcats had in a hotly contested game.

We all know what Aaron Harrison is capable of doing in big games. He showed that once again against Notre Dame, rising up from NBA range and nailing a three to put Kentucky up for the first time in nearly 15 minutes of game action. Aaron has this uncanny ability to disappear for long periods of time, then come back and hit clutch shots to become the hero. He did it throughout last year’s NCAA Tournament, and that experience in critical moments will be huge moving forward.

Kentucky was challenge throughout the entirety of their last game, the first time that’s happened throughout the tournament. Whether they merely learned to deal with adversity in these situations or a flaw was exposed remains to be seen, but we’re certainly going to find out against the Badgers.

Michigan State Spartans (27-11)

Mar 29, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Alvin Ellis III (3) and Michigan State Spartans forward Matt Costello (10) celebrate after the game in the finals of the east regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Carrier Dome. Michigan State Spartans won 76-70. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

7-seed, East Region

NCAA Tournament wins: Georgia, Virginia, Oklahoma and Louisville

Key Player(s): Travis Trice, Denzel Valentine

Last year, a streak came to an end for Tom Izzo. Entering last year’s Elite Eight game against Connecticut, every single four-year senior under Izzo went to at least one Final Four. Michigan State lost that game when many expected them to win and the impressive streak came to a close.

Fast forward a year later and Izzo has started it again. While Adreian Payne and Keith Appling may have missed out on the Final Four, Travis Trice and Brandon Dawson will be headed to their first, coming away with a thrilling overtime victory against Louisville. Trice has been terrific for the Spartans down the stretch, scoring 15 points or more in all four NCAA Tournament games.

Izzo has shown, once again, just how great of a coach he is and how he’s capable of getting any group of players, whether they are the most talented team in the country or a team full of role players who had to step up, he can get them to work together.

Duke Blue Devils (33-4)

Mar 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Matt Jones (13) celebrates as time expires during the second half in the finals of the south regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

1-seed, South Region

NCAA Tournament wins: Robert Morris, San Diego State, Utah and Gonzaga

Key Player(s): Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow

Duke has been on fire since the dismissal of Rasheed Suilamon, and even though they are very thin in their rotation, the Blue Devils believe in themselves and have been playing terrific basketball as of late. Their defense has been kicked up a notch, playing more pressure defense than earlier in the year, and their offense is flowing smoothly, especially when Matt Jones can make threes like he did against Gonzaga.

Okafor, Wooden Award finalist and surefire top pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, is the focus for Duke. His offensive game is polished, his passing skills solid and his height presence makes him dangerous on defense.

However, it’s been Justise Winslow that has been the biggest contributor to the Blue Devils to get them to the Final Four. He’s become the best defender on the team, uses his body well and has been playing fantastic basketball as of late. He just may be the key to get Duke to a national championship.

Duke will take on Michigan State after earning a 10-point victory over the Spartans earlier this year. This will also be the second time this year the two teams will face each other in Indianapolis. Destiny, huh?

Next: 2015 NBA Draft: Jahlil Okafor vs. Karl-Anthony Towns

NCAA Final Four: They’re Off to Indy!

By Nathan Giese | Mar 30, 2015

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