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 "Best birthday present I've ever had," said a celebrating Frank
Kaminsky, who sparked the Badgers' victory with 20 points and 11
rebounds.
Kentucky had entered the game with a 38-0 record and were attempting
to become the first team since the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers to top off
a perfect season with a championship.
But the underdog Badgers used a late comeback to set up their title
matchup on Monday against Duke, which crushed Michigan State 81-61
in Saturday's other Final Four game in Indianapolis.
Sam Dekker, who had 16 points, hit a three-pointer for Wisconsin
with less than two minutes to play to break a 60-60 tie and the
Badgers never trailed again, clinching the win at the free throw
line.
Kari-Anthony Towns led the Kentucky with 16 but the Wildcats were
uncharacteristically dominated inside where Wisconsin won the
rebounding battle 34-22.
Wisconsin will be going for their first national championship since
1941.
They lost to Duke earlier this season in a regular season clash.
Justise Winslow scored 19 points, Jahlil Okafor added 18 as the Blue
Devils flexed their offense against Michigan State.
The victory put Duke in the collegiate championship game for the
ninth time under coach Mike Krzyzewski, who won national titles in
1991, 1992, 2001 and 2010.
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Krzyzewski, the winningest coach in college basketball's top level,
also has coached the U.S. Olympic team to two gold medals, most
recently at the 2012 London Games.
Duke took control late in the first half after trailing by eight
points early. They led 36-25 at halftime before racing to a 20-point
advantage in the second half.
Denzel Valentine Jr. scored a game-high 22 points for Michigan
State.
(Reporting by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles, editing by Gene Cherry)
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