CLEVELAND – With everything at stake for Kentucky, the Wildcats stayed calm and made just enough plays to keep their unblemished season intact.
The shot at history and another NCAA title are still in reach.
Andrew Harrison made two free throws with six seconds remaining, and the unbeaten Wildcats made their last nine shots to survive their toughest test to date, coming back after trailing for much of the second half to defeat Notre Dame, 68-66, on Saturday night in the Midwest Regional final.
In Los Angeles, Sam Dekker hit 5 of Wisconsin’s 10 three-pointers in the second half on his way to a second straight career high of 27 points, Frank Kaminsky added 29 points and the top-seeded Badgers beat No. 2 Arizona, 85-78, to reach consecutive Final Fours for the first time in school history.
Arizona twice got within five points in the last 2 1/2 minutes, but both times Dekker connected on arcing three-pointers, narrowly beating the shot clock on the first one.
“Sam Dekker pretty much just crushed our dreams with that shot,” Arizona guard T.J. McConnell said.
Dekker confirmed the Badgers are more than just “Frank the Tank.” The junior followed up his career-high 23 points and 10 rebounds in a semifinal win over North Carolina with timely shooting that bailed out the Badgers.
Back in Cleveland, the Wildcats (38-0), seeking to become college basketball’s first undefeated champion in 39 years, advanced to the Final Four in Indianapolis next week, where they will meet Wisconsin.