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| 2015 NCAA Tournament - National Championship |
(1) Wisconsin 63, (1) Duke 68
Monday, April 6 | Lucas Oil Stadium | Indianapolis, Ind.
Recap | Box Score | Highlights | Audio Highlights |
The day has arrived. Wisconsin and Duke will meet to decided the national championship inside Lucas Oil Stadium at 8:18 p.m. (CT). The game airs on CBS with radio broadcasts on the Badger Sports Network and nationally on Westwood One.
Before the national title tilt tips off, Mike Lucas and Matt Lepay take a look at the keys that will decide the rematch between the Badgers and Blue Devils.
Badger Breakdown: Wisconsin vs. Duke
Wisconsin and Duke are familiar foes, but both teams have changed significantly since their first meeting in Madison back in December, Mike Lucas writes:
In the Paint with Mike Lucas: Duke
No rest for the weary. Fresh off their win over Kentucky in Saturday night's national semifinal, the Badgers were back at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday afternoon to discuss their title game tilt and get in a practice session as they prepare for Monday's matchup with Duke.
Sunday News Conference
Wisconsin fans turned out in force on Saturday and they'll have the chance to do so again Monday when UW Athletics partners with UW-Madison and the UW Alumni Association to stage another Final Four tailgate and pep rally at the Indiana Convention Center. The event, featuring food, drinks, live music and performances by the UW Band and UW Spirit Squad, runs for 4:30-7:30 p.m. (ET).
Tailgate and pep rally set for national championship game
We will see you on Monday night. That's when the Wisconsin Badgers will play for the national championship in a rematch with fellow top seed Duke. The Badgers earned their way to the final by knocking off previously unbeaten Kentucky in a classic national semifinal showdown, 71-64. Behind 20 points and 11 rebounds from Frank Kaminsky, and the clutch play of Sam Dekker, UW used a 15-4 run over the game's final 4:30 to earn its first title shot since 1941.
Mike Lucas: Badgers' win is one for the ages
Recap | Box Score | Highlights | Broadcast Highlights
Before the much-anticipated rematch between the Badgers and Wildcats tips off, Mike Lucas and Matt Lepay take a look at the keys to advancing to Monday's national championship game.
Badger Breakdown: Wisconsin vs. Kentucky
It's a game a year in the making and the Badgers certainly won't be caught being unprepared for their Final Foru sequel against unbeaten Kentucky. So what will make the difference? Mike Lucas finds out from Jim Jackson, Bronson Koenig, Greg Gard and more:
In the Paint with Mike Lucas: Kentucky
Before the Badgers took to the Lucas Oil Stadium court for their 50-minute public practice, Frank Kaminsky took center stage as as the recipient of the Oscar Robertson Trophy as the U.S. Basketball Writers Association National Player of the Year. The entire team turned out for the ceremony, which included remarks from Oscar Robertson himself.
Later in the day, Kaminsky added to his hardware collection when he was named Associated Press Player of the Year.
Kaminsky Wins Oscar Robertson Trophy | AP Player of the Year
Though they differ in how they got to Indianapolis, one thing all four teams that will tip off Saturday share is appreciation for the stage they're about to step onto, Mike Lucas writes:
Lucas: No one taking Final Four for granted
As you can see, it was a busy first day in Indianapolis for the Badgers, who spent Thursday practicing and taking part in media activities inside Lucas Oil Stadium before attending the Final Four Salute emceed by CBS' Jim Nantz.
Badgers Invade Indy
Around the Web
ESPN.com: Bo Ryan's methods still work
ESPN.com: Traevon Jackson guided by faith
ESPN.com: Calipari, Ryan talk leaving legacies
SI.com: Is this the best Final Four field ever?
Madison.com: Ryan has silenced critics over 14 years
Madison.com: Talent level at this Final Four is off the charts
Madison.com: Thousands of fans send off UW at rally
JSOnline: Hayes expects more from himself this time
JSOnline: Wisconsin's offense a model of consistency
FoxSportsWisconsin.com: Experienced Badgers brace for new kind of Wildcat attack
FoxSportsWisconsin.com: Competitive Gasser fueled further by shot that beat Badgers
ESPNWisconsin.com: Building off disappointment
The Road to the Final Four had the Badgers taking to the skies Wednesday as they departed for Indianapolis following a rousing sendoff at the Kohl Center. The team gets its first look at Lucas Oil Stadium on Thursday with a closed practice session and a variety of media activities.
The Badgers get back on the practice floor Tuesday as they begin preparations for their national semifinal matchup with unbeaten Kentucky at the Final Four on Saturday. Head coach Bo Ryan and several players will meet with members of the media in a news conference that begins at 3 p.m. (CT) and will air live on BTN and be streamed on BTN2Go:
Watch Live: Badgers News Conference (3 p.m.)
You can help send the Badgers off with a bang on Wednesday by coming to the Kohl Center for a special Final Four sendoff. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and will feature a short program with comments from head coach Bo Ryan and the Badgers prior to their departure for Indianapolis. Doors open at 5 p.m. and admission is free.
Around the Web
UWBadgers.com: Kaminsky named Wooden Award finalist
UWBadgers.com: AP honor makes Kaminsky consensus All-American
ESPN.com: Epic Final Four awaits in Indianapolis
Dan Patrick Show: Dan Patrick Show: Sam Dekker Interview
FoxSports.com: Wisconsin views unblemished Kentucky with respect but not fear
JSOnline: Badgers' to-do list has one check remaining
Madison.com: Ryan knows thing or two about undefeated teams
SI.com: What to watch for in Kentucky-Wisconsin showdown
FoxSportsWisconsin.com: UW hungry for more, ready for Final Four matchup
JSOnline: Dekker, Kaminsky give UW shot to topple Kentucky
CBS Sports: The goofy side of Frank Kaminsky
Cleveland.com: Wisconsin, stenography, and intellectual curiosity
Sam Dekker has been thinking about it since long before he arrived on campus in Madison. "I know Coach said to me, 'We want to get to Final Fours and we want to bring championships to Wisconsin,'" he said. "And now we're one step closer." Living up to expectations is difficult -- it's exponentially harder when the expectation is to make a return trip to the Final Four. But, for this determined bunch of Badgers, there really was no other option, Mike Lucas writes:
Lucas: For determined Badgers, Final Four was only option
Yes, it was real. And it was spectacular. Re-live the Badgers' thrilling Elite Eight win over Arizona with this outstanding highlights package from the game that sent Wisconsin back to the Final Four:
Elite Eight Highlights: Wisconsin vs. Arizona
The West was won with sharpshooting. Top-seeded Wisconsin went 10-for-12 from 3-point range in the second half to down Arizona and win the NCAA West Regional championship for the second-consecutive year. Sam Dekker splashed five treys on his way to a career-high 27 points, while Frank Kaminsky poured in 29 as the Badgers secured their second-straight Final Four bid.
Recap | Box Score | Celebration | Broadcast Highlights
Only one stop remains on the Road to the Final Four, which for Wisconsin once again runs through Arizona. No one has forgotten the teams' epic overtime battle in last year's Elite Eight, least of all the Wildcats, who bring and improved -- and motivated -- team into Saturday's West Regional final. Of course, so do the Badgers, Mike Lucas writes.
In the Paint with Mike Lucas: Arizona
Beyond the motivation factor of being just one game away from the Final Four, what are the keys for Wisconsin to ensure that the Badgers enjoy another Hollywood ending in the West Regional? Before they call the game from courtside, Mike Lucas and Matt Lepay tackle that question in the latest edition of Badger Breakdown:
Badger Breakdown: Wisconsin vs. Arizona
It was more about moments than minutes for Wisconsin reserves Traevon Jackson and Zak Showalter in Thursday's Sweet 16 win over North Carolina, with both making major contributions during their minimal playing time, Mike Lucas writes.
Lucas: In the moment, Jackson and Showalter come up big
Around the Web
SI.com: Kaminsky, Badgers pass test to reach Elite Eight
ESPN.com: Wisconsin chasing bigger goal
ESPN.com: Sam Dekker was unstoppable
Yahoo Sports: Dekker shows Wisconsin is more than just Kaminsky
FoxSports.com: Frank the Tank finishes strong
Madison.com: Traevon Jackson makes impact in return
JSOnline: Steady Gasser does the dirty work in UW victory
Sam Dekker scored 15 of his career-high 23 points in the first half to keep the Badgers in striking distance and the top-seeded Badgers used a 19-7 second-half run to turn a seven-point deficit into a five-point lead en route to a 79-72 win over North Carolina on Thursday. UW moves back to the Elite Eight and will face No. 2 seed Arizona in a rematch of last year's classic that saw Wisconsin take the West Regional final in overtime to earn a spot in the Final Four.
Recap | Box Score | Highlights | Locker Room Reaction
Can the Badgers keep North Carolina from scoring in transition? How much can Traevon Jackson contribute? Mike Lucas and Matt Lepay tackle all the keys for Wisconsin in the latest edition of Badger Breakdown:
Badger Breakdown: Wisconsin vs. North Carolina
The programs haven't met in a decade -- they'll face off nearly 10 years to the day after their Elite Eight showdown in Syracuse -- but thanks to multiple Midwest connections, there is plenty of familiarity in Thursday's Sweet 16 matchup between Wisconsin and North Carolina, Mike Lucas writes.
In the Paint with Mike Lucas: North Carolina
The Badgers got their first look at Staples Center on Wednesday, taking part in media sessions and a public practice at the site of the NCAA West Regional. The day's big news, however, came at UW's closed practice session on the USC campus, where Traevon Jackson returned as a full participant in team drills.
Head coach Bo Ryan said that while Jackson will get minutes against North Carolina, "Now how many possessions or how many trips up and down the court, that remains to be seen."
Ever since he was taking on the older guys at the YMCA, Bronson Koenig has never been one to back down from a challenge. He's also accustomed to the weight of high expectations. Those traits have suited Koenig -- and the Badgers -- well during the time he's served as UW's floor general. Wisconsin will need more of his confident leadership in the Sweet 16.
Varsity Magazine: Poise at the Point
How was the Badgers' first day in L.A.? Actually, a pretty nice little Tuesday. Frank "The Tank" Kaminsky had the chance to meet his namesake while covering the unveiling of Old School star Will Ferrell's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as a correspondent for Access Hollywood. "The most nervous I've ever been in my entire life," Kaminsky said of his interview with Ferrell. There was time for the team's first on-site practice session on USC's campus, but there was not enough time for Bed Bath & Beyond.
Just 16 hours after Wisconsin's opening NCAA tournament weekend ended with a 2 a.m. return to Madison, the Badgers were once again in the air headed west. UW departed for Los Angeles and the West Regional on Monday evening, but a tough turnaround shouldn't have much of an effect on the Badgers. They proved they were up for a challenge by holding off a pesky Oregon team with a late second-half surge on Sunday, Mike Lucas writes.
Lucas: When going got tough, Badgers got tougher
Call it Ducks deja vu. One year to the day that Wisconsin battled past Oregon in Milwaukee for a trip to the Sweet 16, the Badgers won another fight with the Ducks on Sunday in Omaha. Sam Dekker led the way in the 72-65 triumph for the top-seeded Badgers, scoring 14 of his 17 points in the second half.
For the second-straight year, UW's tournament road takes it to California, where the Badgers will open defense of their West Regional title in a semifinal clash with No. 4 seed North Carolina at 6:45 p.m. (CT) on Thursday at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Recap | Box Score | Box Score | Highlights | Press Conference
Remember us? There's no doubt Wisconsin and Oregon are familiar foes after facing off in the third round of the NCAA tournament last year. The No. 8 seed Ducks once again stand between Wisconsin and a trip to the Sweet 16, but while the Badgers look much the same from last year's memorable meeting in Milwaukee, only two of the 10 Ducks that saw action last season are back.
It will be a matchup of size vs. speed, Mike Lucas writes, with the Badgers needing to control the boards and Oregon looking to thrive in transition.
Beyond that, Lucas and Matt Lepay bring you all the keys in the latest edition of Badger Breakdown.
In the Paint with Mike Lucas: Oregon | Badger Breakdown: Oregon
If you're looking for the big picture on the Badgers' weekend in Omaha, be sure to check out our Exposure page for a visual tour of Wisconsin's NCAA tournament experience.
Exposure: March with the Badgers | Follow the #Fieldof32
The Badgers were back at CenturyLink Center on Saturday to begin their on-court preparations for Sunday's third-round matchup with Oregon. After getting their first look at the scouting report on the Ducks, the Badgers hit the court and also met with the media to preview their rematch of last year's Round of 32 clash.
That included Nigel Hayes having some fun with the stenographer who churns out transcripts for ASAP Sports after he and his teammates got a behind-the-scenes look at the process following Friday's game:
An efficient effort allowed the top-seeded Badgers to pull away from a hot-shooting Coastal Carolina club en route to an 86-72 win Friday. Frank Kaminsky led the way with his 12th double-double of the season (27 points, 12 rebounds), while Sam Dekker dropped 20 and Nigel Hayes added 15 for the Badgers.
UW moves on to face No. 8 seed Oregon in a third-round matchup for the second-consecutive year, with the Badgers and Ducks facing off at 6:45 p.m. Sunday in Omaha.
Recap | Box Score | Box Score | Highlights | Press Conference
Mike Lucas and Matt Lepay take a look at what to watch for in Friday's NCAA tournament opener for the top-seeded Badgers in a special edition of Badger Breakdown.
Badger Breakdown: Coastal Carolina
Who are the Chanticleers? The Big South champions, for one. Unafraid of the big, bad Badgers, for another. Top-seeded Wisconsin will face a confident crew from No. 16 seed Coastal Carolina tonight in Omaha, Mike Lucas writes.
In the Paint with Mike Lucas: Coastal Carolina
Whether it's his parents or analysts who have spent their careers covering college hoops, everyone agrees: there's no one quite like Frank Kaminsky. So how did that kid playing in the driveway with Dad get here?
Varsity Magazine: Being Frank
In the News
Rolling Stone: Bo Knows Basketball: Wisconsin's Head Coach Wins His Way
Sports Illustrated: VIDEO: Sam Dekker - Rising Stars
Associated Press: Kaminsky Laughs, Leads Team Back to NCAA
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Josh Gasser relishing Badgers' second chance
Before you head to the arena for Friday's second-round game, join Badgers fans in Omaha for a special NCAA Tournament Pep Rally from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Old Mattress Factory.
Omaha fan event set for NCAA tournament
If you ain't first, you're last. The Badgers' first stop after arriving in Omaha was a go-kart track and Zak Showalter did his best to live up to the immortal words of Ricky Bobby.
For more insight on their NCAA tournament travels, follow @BadgerMBB on Twitter.
Follow the Badgers with #Fieldof68
The Badgers stated their case for a No. 1 seed with a tremendous three-day run through the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago. Now, they're focused on living up to their top billing, Mike Lucas writes.
Lucas: Top-flight performance puts Badgers on top line
Before you turn your attention completely to the NCAA tournament, it's worth taking one more look at Wisconsin's run to the title in the Big Ten tournament.
Badgers Win Big Ten Tournament Title
Bo Ryan met the media Tuesday to look ahead to the Badgers' second-round matchup with Coastal Carolina.
Ryan News Conference | Ryan Transcript | Wisconsin Game Notes
