Wisconsin Badgers at Kentucky Wildcats

Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin deny UK perfection, reach title game

The hard-nosed Wisconsin Badgers did what nobody else could this season: They knocked off the Wildcats 71-64 on Saturday night behind 20 points and 11 rebounds from birthday boy Frank Kaminsky and a clutch comeback down the stretch.

Now, instead of Kentucky going for history, it's Wisconsin heading to the final Monday night to play Duke. The Badgers lost 80-70 to Duke in a December meeting in Madison.

The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook and Station Casinos made the spread for the final a pick 'em. The over/under was set at 141 by the Westgate.

"I just feel like we wanted to win the national title, and we didn't do it," Wildcats freshman Tyler Ulis said. "So the season was a waste."

Some of the Kentucky players skulked off without shaking their opponents' hands.

"I've had some tough losses and some unbelievable wins at the buzzer," coach John Calipari said. "My concern is that these guys keep it in perspective. They just had an historic year. If you want to blame anyone, blame me."

Plenty of folks will take pleasure in that.

Trending on Twitter shortly after the buzzer: "38-and-Done." And "38-and-1."

All easy pickins for the many detractors of Calipari's group of "One and Done" players, All-Americans and other future first-rounders and lottery picks.

Wisconsin had every reason to turtle, going without a point for six minutes during an 8-0 Kentucky run that put the Wildcats up by four and left the Badgers gasping for breath and resting their hands on their knees.

Instead, they answered the Kentucky run with an 8-0 run of their own to set up the pullaway. It was a Kentucky-like effort, the kind the Wildcats pulled off yet again last week in a two-point win over Notre Dame in the regional final that made them look more gritty than invincible.

"I think you guys have seen that all year," Wisconsin senior Sam Dekker said. "Whether we're down six or up 20, we're going to be us, and we're going to play our game."

Dekker, a future NBAer himself, did most of the damage during Wisconsin's comeback and eventual pullaway.

He started the run with bucket from the paint over Trey Lyles, then Nigel Hayes tied the game by tipping in an air ball after the clock had clearly turned to "0." No violation was called, and in a game full of shaky officiating that left both coaches screaming, it generated momentum for the Badgers and left Kentucky flat.

Tied at 60, Andrew Harrison missed on Kentucky's next possession. Dekker followed by spotting up for a 3-pointer that gave Wisconsin the lead for good with 1:42 left, then drawing a charge call when Lyles slammed his shoulder into Dekker's chest.

Another free throw made it 64-60 and Kentucky was in full comeback mode.

Ahead 64-63 with 24 seconds left, Kaminsky, who was celebrating his 22nd birthday, hit two free throws. He and Bronson Koenig went 7 for 8 from the line over the last 24 seconds to seal the win.

"Best birthday present I've ever had," Kaminsky said.

Kentucky's last, best chance came while trailing by three with 12 seconds left. But Karl-Anthony Towns, who led the Wildcats with 16 points and nine rebounds, received the ball in the post and got fouled. He made only one free throw, and from there, Wisconsin iced it from the line.

Junior Willie Cauley-Stein, a key to Kentucky's success this year, finished with two points and five rebounds.

Calipari said the pressure of being perfect wasn't the difference in this one.

"I think what impacted the game was the most was Wisconsin and how they play," he said.

They wanted a title, too.

"We didn't care about the record," Towns said. "We just cared about the trophy that came with it."

Information from The Associated Press and ESPN.com's David Purdum was used in this report.

How can I watch Wisconsin vs. Kentucky?

• TV Channel: Wisconsin at Kentucky 2021 College Basketball, week 3, is broadcasted on TBS.
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