The Post’s Mark Cannizzaro breaks down the Saturday’s West Regional final matchup:
(2) Wisconsin Badgers (29-7) Â vs. (1) Arizona Wildcats (33-4)
(8:49 p.m.; TBS)
Backcourt: Both teams rely heavily on veteran guards, with Wisconsin led by senior Ben Brust (13 points per game, 89.2-percent free throw shooter) and junior Traevon Jackson (10.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists), and Arizona leaning on juniors Nick Johnson (16.3 points, 4.1 rebounds) and T.J. McConnell (8.4 points, 5.4 assists). The Wildcats have gone with a three-guard rotation as starters lately, with Gabe York, a good 3-point shooter, starting 10 of the last 12 games. Edge: Even
Frontcourt: The key to this matchup is Wisconsin’s 7-footer, Frank Kaminsky, who is the best big man the floor, averaging 13.7 points and 6.2 rebounds. Kaminsky, with 19 points, was the linchpin to Wisconsin’s win over Baylor, breaking down its zone. Arizona is not as big, though it has 7-footer Kaleb Tarczewski (9.9 points, 6.3 rebounds). Forward Aaron Gordon (12.5 points, 7.7 rebounds) will be a tough matchup for the Badgers. Edge: Wisconsin
Bench: Arizona’s depth was a big key in its win over San Diego State, with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, from coach Bo Ryan’s hometown of Chester, Pa., averaging 9.1 points, and Brandon Ashley adding 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds off the bench. Wisconsin is not as deep, though Nigel Hayes (7.9 points) and Duje Dukan (2.8) were key in the win over Baylor. Edge: Arizona
Coaching: Wisconsin’s Bo Ryan had a great plan to break down the Baylor press, and is one of the best tacticians in the game. Arizona’s Sean Miller is somewhat of a disciple of Ryan’s, calling himself a similar coach. Edge: Wisconsin
Prediction: Wisconsin 74, Arizona 69
Kaminsky is a huge factor again and the Badgers stick to their low-turnover, disciplined game, holding down Arizona’s stars. Ryan gets to his first Final Four after 30 years of coaching.