We all say we love upsets in the NCAA tournament, but for better or worse, there are no plucky underdogs left in the Midwest and West regions. Kentucky, Notre Dame, Wisconsin and Arizona are a combined 137-11 on the season. And with three truly outstanding teams and one group chasing the ghost of the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers, this shapes up to be a memorable pair of regional finals.
(3) Notre Dame vs. (1) Kentucky
With all due respect to Notre Dame and at the risk of being shockingly unconventional, I propose we start this discussion with the team that's 37-0 and that just beat a major-conference opponent seeded on the 5-line by 39 points.
1. This UK defense really is as amazing it looks
During the regular season, Kentucky's defense was extraordinary and dominant but not necessarily historic. In SEC play, the Wildcats held opponents to 0.89 points per possession, an incredible figure that Arizona nevertheless (and rather rudely, if you ask me) outperformed in Pac-12 play: Sean Miller's men held opponents to just 0.87 points per trip.
Maybe that provided bulletin board material for UK, or maybe these guys are trying to one-up the superb defense that Anthony Davis and his teammates played in 2011-12. Whatever the motivation was, the Wildcats have taken defense to a whole new level in this tournament.