CLEVELAND — Anyone who watched Kentucky’s 39-point annihilation of West Virginia knows the Wildcats are the best team in the nation and unstoppable when at their best, a team so good that NBA teams are mentioned as their only suitable peers.
Still, should it take an anonymous freshman from West Virginia saying something as innocent as thinking his team will win to motivate Kentucky? Really, the NCAA Tournament isn’t enough to get them going?
Notre Dame is smart enough to stay quiet and let its shooting do the talking.
Notre Dame (+11) over Kentucky: Notre Dame’s offense is better than any Kentucky has faced all season, with four players who shoot over 40 percent on 3-pointers. The Fighting Irish will be able to space the floor and keep the action on the perimeter and away from the Wildcats’ incredible interior defense.
Notre Dame will give up far too many offensive rebounds on the other end to be able to win, but an ultra-efficient offense will prevent the Irish from entering the droughts which West Virginia and Cincinnati endured.
Wisconsin (+1½) over Arizona: The Wildcats have the advantage, playing close to home and with the motivation of last year’s regional final loss to the Badgers, but Wisconsin has Frank Kaminsky, who went for 28 points and 11 rebounds in last year’s win and only has gotten better.
2015 record: 29-27
2011-14 record: 106-67-5
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