Wisconsin vs. Arizona: How they match up in NCAA tournament

WHO: No. 1 Wisconsin (34-3) vs. No. 2 Arizona (34-3).

WHAT: NCAA West Regional final, Saturday, 3:09 p.m.

WHERE: Staples Center. TV: TBS.

UPDATE: A year ago, Wisconsin center Frank Kaminsky was dominating in the Badgers’ 64-63 overtime victory over Arizona in the West Regional final. He scored 28 points. The 7-foot Kaminsky will be key for the Badgers again. “It’s going to be the same type kind of battle; the same type of grit is going to be needed,” Kaminsky said. He has help. Forward Sam Dekker is averaging 20.0 points through three tournament games and scored a career-high 23 points against North Carolina on Thursday. Point guard Traevon Jackson, out two months because of a fractured foot, returned Thursday and played nine minutes. Arizona’s size up front will be a concern for the Badgers. Kaleb Tarczewski (7-0), Brandon Ashley (6-8), Stanley Johnson (6-7) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (6-7) are a formidable group. But it’s point guard T.J. McConnell who makes the Wildcats go. A victory would get Arizona Coach Sean Miller into the Final Four for the first time. “We’re just going to treat this game like it’s any other game,” McConnell said. “We’re not going to make it any bigger. We know what’s at stake, and getting to the Final Four is a big thing for us, and getting Coach Miller to the Final Four is a big thing for us as well.”

— Chris Foster

Starters

WISCONSIN; Ht.; Wt.; PPG; Pos.; ARIZONA; Ht.; Wt.; PPG

Josh Gasser; 6-4; 192; 6.8; G; Stanley Johnson; 6-7, 245; 14.0

Bronson Koenig; 6-4; 190; 8.6; G; T.J. McConnell; 6-1; 195; 10.3

Frank Kaminsky; 7-0; 242; 18.4; C; Kaleb Tarczewski; 7-0; 245; 9.2

Nigel Hayes; 6-8; 235; 12.5; F; Brandon Ashley; 6-8; 230; 12, 12.1

Sam Dekker; 6-9; 230; 13.5; F; Rondae Hollis-Jefferson; 6-7; 220; 11.1

Reserves

Zak Showalter; 6-2; 185; 2.1; G; Gabe York; 6-3; 185; 9.1

Duje Dukan; 6-10; 218; 4.9; F/C; Dusan Ristic; 7-0; 245; 3.5

Traevon Jackson; 6-3; 207; 9.4; G/F; Elliott Pitts; 6-5; 185; 3.6