Duke vs. Wisconsin: 3 things you need to know

Coach Mike Krzyzewski has led Duke to his ninth national championship game at the helm of the Blue Devils. Duke has looked solid throughout the tournament and made a statement in the Final Four by punishing Michigan State, leaving no doubt that it belongs there.

Wisconsin took down undefeated Kentucky and is in a national title game for the first time since its 1941 championship victory. After a run featuring some of the best performances in the tournament, the Badgers have an opportunity to exact revenge on the Blue Devils, who defeated them 80-70 in December.

Here are three things you need to know before tuning in to the national championship:

Bronson Koenig and Traevon Jackson are Wisconsin's unsung heroes

After "Frank the Tank" Kaminsky, "Super" Sam Dekker and Nigel Hayes (whose nickname has yet to be discovered), the rest of Wisconsin's roster tends to get forgotten.

But besides the team's top three leading scorers, two other members of the squad hold their own and make key plays to push their team to victory. 

Bronson Koenig shouldn't be judged by his stat line - which is decent, although his 8.7 points per game and 40.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc pales in comparison to Wisconsin's power trio. However, what that line doesn't reflect is Koenig's talent for getting the Badgers out of some tough spots.

Koenig hit a three from the parking lot to tie up the Final Four matchup against Kentucky at the half. 

The guard is also quick on his feet, recovering his own missed layup against the Wildcats. 

Traevon Jackson averages just 8.5 points per game, but is second on the squad in assists (2.6). Jackson missed 19 games after fracturing his foot on Jan. 11, and came back in time to hit a big 3-pointer on his first shot from the field in the Sweet Sixteen against North Carolina. He's also magical when he steps to the line, sinking 85.1 percent of his free throws.

Duke can get it done on defense, too

The Blue Devils' roster boasts a variety of effective scorers. Between potential NBA draft picks Jahlil Okafor (17.5), Justise Winslow (12.7), Tyus Jones (11.5), and veteran player Quinn Cook (15.6), Duke will punish the rim and the opposing team.

But Duke has also showed off a mature defense in its NCAA tournament play. Despite not being known for their ability to limit opponents, the Blue Devils have improved under the pressure of March Madness. Duke entered the Final Four match not allowing more than 0.89 points per possession in the tough South Region, a number that would have been unheard of during the year. The Blue Devils' defense allowed the most points it had all tournament in their Saturday victory against Michigan State - 61. 

Whatever Wisconsin has ready for Duke, the Blue Devils will be prepared to stop it. 

The Badgers are better this time around

Wisconsin remembers how it fell to Duke by 10 points on Dec. 3. 

Duke never quite had a comfortable lead over the Badgers in the 80-70 victory, but Wisconsin just couldn't get the baskets it needed to overcome the loss.   

The Badgers shot just above 40 percent from the field and sank 9-of-21 beyond the arc. They couldn't hold off the Blue Devils either, as Duke finished going about 65 percent from the field. Dekker and Hayes were off their game too, managing just five and four points respectively.

But the top-seeded Wisconsin team in this title game is better. Ranking 17th overall in field-goal percentage (48.1), the Badgers have developed an efficient offense that racks up double-digit points and drains threes to pull away from their opponents for the victory.

After defeating the seemingly unbeatable Kentucky, the Badgers won't be easily shaken by Duke's power.