5 storylines to watch in the national championship game
A rematch for the ages
It goes without saying that Wisconsin is not the team that lost to Duke by 10 in December. So to say that this game will be a walk in the park for the Blue Devils is beyond absurd.
The Badgers will rely on some dangerous perimeter shooting, while Duke will look to contain Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker under the hoop. The Badgers will have their hands full against a composed Blue Devils squad that's coming off a 20-point blowout of Michigan State.
Coach K and a shot at history
Mike Krzyzewski is the conductor behind Duke's success over the years, but if there's one thing Coach K is notorious for, it's his inability to settle. Krzyzewski just doesn't have it in him to be happy reaching the title game. He needs to win.
Krzyzewski has now reached the Final Four 12 times, tying legendary coach John Wooden for the most appearances all time.
But if the Blue Devils come out victorious on Monday night, Coach K will move into rare territory. Only three coaches have won four crowns - Wooden, Krzyzewski and former Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp. Though Wooden has 10, Coach K could end the year with five under his belt, further cementing him as the greatest coach of his era.
Will Duke show up?
The thing with Duke is that it has so many talented players, but they can disappear every now and then. The list is impressive on paper - Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow, Tyus Jones, Matt Jones and Quinn Cook. Those are the players the Blue Devils will depend on to take them to the top.
But if Wisconsin shuts down one or two of them, and the others don't show up when it matters, Duke will feel the pain the Badgers inflicted on Kentucky.
Frank Kaminsky vs. Jahlil Okafor
The best part about a Duke versus Wisconsin matchup is the wide array of man-to-man matchups, but let's focus on Frank Kaminsky and Jahlil Okafor. When Duke won the first meeting in December, the Badgers forward outscored his counterpart 17-13 and out-rebounded him 9-6.
Since then, both players have improved drastically, and a second showdown will dictate who comes out on top when March Madness glory is on the line.
Can Duke's defense contain Wisconsin's offense?
Duke is holding opponents to 55 points per game and 37 percent shooting in the tournament. Wisconsin is unlike any team the Blue Devils have seen, with offense that can take down the best of the best.
On the other side of the coin, Duke's defense is as solid as they come. So despite the Badgers scoring seemingly with ease, they'll be in for a shock when the Blue Devils force turnovers, rip down boards and explode in transition.