By the Numbers: Final Four

by
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

There's no better way to impress your friends than citing an obscure stat.

Here are 20 numbers worth knowing in advance of the Final Four.

1

Opponents Kentucky has faced this season that rank inside the top 25 nationally in offensive efficiency (Notre Dame).

2

Consecutive Final Four meetings between Kentucky and Wisconsin (Kentucky won last year's showdown 74-73).

3

Duke freshmen to record 20 points and 10 rebounds in an NCAA tournament game (Gene Banks, Elton Brand, Justise Winslow).

4

Trips to the Final Four for Wisconsin, which is making consecutive appearances in the Final Four for the first time.

5

Freshmen to score 25 points or more in the Elite Eight or later in the last 20 NCAA tournaments (Carmelo Anthony, Joseph Forte, Derrick Rose, Greg Oden, Karl Anthony-Towns).

6

Field goals made by Louisville in the second half and overtime of its Elite Eight loss to Michigan State - the Cardinals shot 6-of-32 (18.8 percent).

7

Final Four appearances by Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo - tied for fourth-most all-time.

8

Number of times the Big Ten has put multiple schools through to the Final Four - most of any conference.

9

Consecutive field goal attempts made by Kentucky to close out its Elite Eight victory over Notre Dame.

10

Three-pointers made by Wisconsin in the second half of its win over Arizona - tied for the most by any team in a half in the last six NCAA tournaments.

12

Final Four appearances by Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, tying UCLA legend John Wooden for most all-time.

13

Kentucky is the 13th team to enter the Final Four with an unbeaten record - seven of the previous 12 went on to win the national title.

17

Trips to the Final Four for Kentucky - second most all-time to North Carolina's 18.

20.8

Kentucky's average margin of victory this season - highest in college basketball.

21.8

Scoring average for Wisconsin's Sam Dekker, who has racked up 20 or more points three times in the NCAA tournament, equaling his total from the regular season.

22

NCAA tournament wins by John Calipari while at Kentucky, including trips to four of the past five Final Fours.

25

Combined Final Four appearances by John Calipari, Tom Izzo, Mike Krzyzewski, and Bo Ryan - most ever by a coaching quartet in the Final Four.

33

Wins by Duke as a No. 1 seed when facing a team seeded No. 6 or worse - most in NCAA tournament history among schools without a loss in that situation.

38

Wins by Kentucky this season - tied for most in a single season in Division I history (2011-12 Kentucky).

176

Combined NCAA tournament games coached by Mike Krzyzewski and Tom Izzo - the most combined games in a matchup in NCAA tournament history.

The Digest

Final Four Roundup

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Final Four Live Blog

Live Blog

Recaps

Wisconsin ends Kentucky's undefeated season, heads to title game

Duke throttles Michigan State, punches ticket to title game

Top 5 highlights from Saturday's action

10 memorable photos from the Final Four

Twitter reacts to Wisconsin shocking Kentucky

Highlights

VIDEO: Wisconsin fans pack hotel lobby to congratulate team

Wisconsin-Duke national championship game opens as pick'em

VIDEO: Wisconsin gets away with clear shot-clock violation

VIDEO: Somehow this Trey Lyles judo chop is not a foul

VIDEO: Willie Cauley-Stein meets Frank Kaminsky with strong swat

VIDEO: Trey Lyles executes the classic groin block

VIDEO: Wisconsin's Sam Dekker bullies Kentucky into and-1

VIDEO: Bronson Koenig hits buzzer-beater to tie game at half

VIDEO: Wisconsin's Sam Dekker with the emphatic and-1

VIDEO: Wisconsin's Bronson Koenig shows great second effort

PHOTO: Wisconsin appears to be wearing cummerbunds

VIDEO: Andrew Harrison connects with Willie Cauley-Stein on huge alley-oop

VIDEO: Grayson Allen follows missed 3-pointer with huge slam

VIDEO: Duke's Quinn Cook makes beautiful pass to set up Justise Winslow dunk

VIDEO: Jahlil Okafor is still hurting the rim

VIDEO: Duke's hustle play leads to easy 3-pointer

VIDEO: Duke's Okafor delivers huge putback dunk vs. Michigan State

VIDEO: Justise Winslow with the hoop and the harm

VIDEO: Michigan State's Denzel Valentine raining 3s to open Final Four

Pregame Festivities

VIDEO: Wisconsin’s Vitto Brown sings national anthem with other Final Four school athletes

VIDEO: Charles Barkley struggles to pronounce 'Justise Winslow'

PHOTO: Wisconsin cow has special message for Kentucky

VIDEO: Duke's Quinn Cook holds Coach K's hand during huddles

PHOTO: Group gathers outside Lucas Oil Stadium to protest religious freedom act

VIDEO: Kentucky fan calls ESPN's Kaylee Hartung 'gorgeous' on air

PHOTO: Spartans hang with Magic Johnson, Mateen Cleaves and Steve Smith

VIDEO: Kentucky releases 'Chance of a Lifetime' hype video for Final Four

PHOTO: Michigan State AD rides to Final Four in race car

Michigan State transfer Eron Harris to watch Final Four from a distance

PHOTO: Duke unveils rings for clinching Final Four berth

VIDEO: Jimmy Fallon's puppies pick Michigan State to win title

PHOTO: Massive turnout for Final Four practice

Michigan State could bank Vegas resident $1 million

PHOTO: Duke has custom 'Do Not Disturb' hotel signs

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