There are four potential matchups that Saturday's national semifinals could yield, ranging from what many (including our friends in Vegas) would tell you is the most likely -- Kentucky/Duke -- to the all-Big Ten final that likely represents B1G commissioner Jim Delany's version of utopia. When ESPN's panel of national college basketball experts made their predictions for Saturday's games, three of those outcomes were accounted for. Apologies to Mr. Delany for the one that wasn't:
No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats vs. No. 1 Wisconsin Badgers
Jay Bilas: The Badgers do everything a team needs to do to beat Kentucky: They can control tempo, they can move Kentucky's big men around on the floor and get them out of the lane, and they can control the defensive glass and disallow second shots. The key will be Kentucky's depth. If John Calipari can play more bodies, he can wear down Wisconsin, get some fouls on the Badgers and get into their legs. Kentucky is the better team, and I favor the Wildcats to reach 39-0 and go to the title game.
Pick: Kentucky 68, Wisconsin 65
Dan Dakich: I'm picking Kentucky, and I don't like it. Covering and watching Wisconsin was really fun this year but I've ridden UK as going 40-0 and I'll stick with it.
Notre Dame did what I've been preaching all tourney: Drive with purpose. Either go to the rim in a high jump -- not a broad-jump manner -- or drive to attract and then find shooters. Nobody does it better than Wisconsin, but finishing off Kentucky is much different than playing with them. These are the two best closing teams in college hoops. Mariano Rivera vs. Bruce Sutter. Whoever leads with five minutes to go wins, and I believe the length and talent of Kentucky prevails.
Pick: Kentucky 81, Wisconsin 76