DAILY WORD
Originally Published: Mar 28, 2015
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Daily Word: Who's headed to the Final Four?

By ESPN.com | ESPN.com

Each day, some of our college hoops experts discuss the biggest issues, trends and themes in and around college basketball.

1. Who will we be seeing in Indianapolis? Notre Dame or Kentucky? Wisconsin or Arizona?

Andy Katz: Wisconsin versus Kentucky. That was my pick initially, and I'm sticking with the selection. The Badgers have more scoring options than Arizona. Arizona might have revenge on its mind, but the Badgers have been the more consistent team. Neither has wowed so far in the NCAA tournament, but both have finished strong.

Jeff Goodman: It'll be Kentucky versus Wisconsin. The Cats just have too much size for the Irish, and Bo Ryan and the Badgers will get Arizona for the second straight time.

Myron Medcalf: The world saw what Kentucky just did to West Virginia. Kentucky will be in Indianapolis, and Wisconsin will beat Arizona in another thrilling game.

2. We know Notre Dame can shoot the lights out. How many 3-pointers will it take to beat Kentucky?

Katz: Ten. The Irish have to hit double figures to have a chance. Get up to 12, and there is a real possibility. But I'm still sticking with Kentucky since the Irish will rarely get a second shot.

Goodman: Notre Dame needs to make enough 3s to open the floor. I don't think there's some magic number, but it needs to be enough so that Kentucky's bigs have to come out, defend the 3 and create space -- especially near the basket -- for the Irish to drive it and have a chance to finish.

Medcalf: All of them. Seriously. As many as they can get. The Fighting Irish shot 75 percent from the field in the second half of their win over Wichita State, and they'll have to shoot the lights out again to upset Kentucky.

3. Wisconsin-Arizona is the matchup everyone wanted. Which player -- from either side -- will determine the outcome of this one?

Katz: The point guards. Bronson Koenig might need to make shots for the Badgers to win, and T.J. McConnell has to deliver in a variety of ways for Arizona.

Goodman: Sam Dekker. He's the X factor. Wisconsin needs him to play like he did the other night. Be assertive, dunk over guys, play with confidence.

Medcalf: Frank Kaminsky. Again. He had 28 points and 11 rebounds in last season's matchup. He's still a matchup problem for Arizona. Another big game for Kaminsky will send Arizona home. But if the Wildcats can neutralize Kaminsky, they'll have a chance to avenge last season's loss and advance to the Final Four.

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Games To Watch

Arizona vs. Wisconsin, 6:09 p.m. ET, TBS

Fans from both teams will remember March 29, 2014, for different reasons. Wisconsin outlasted Arizona in overtime to secure its first Final Four bid since 2000 roughly 30 miles south of where the two will meet again on Saturday. Can the Badgers do it again?


Notre Dame vs. Kentucky, 8:49 p.m. ET, TBS

Notre Dame's Sweet 16 win over Wichita State on Thursday saw the Fighting Irish go 18-for-24 and outscore the Shockers by 17 outside the paint in the second half. A similarly hot shooting night will be necessary to stop Kentucky's undefeated march.

They Said It

ESPNU Basketball Podcast

Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

Andy Katz and Seth Greenberg check in with newsmakers from around college basketball.

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