. (Memphis' participation in the tournament was later officially vacated.)

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski made his ninth title game appearance and was seeking his fifth Division I Championship. Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan made his first Division I Championship Game appearance. He previously won four Division III titles with UW–Platteville.

The game was the first Championship Game appearance for the Badgers since they won the 1941 Championship in Kansas City. The Blue Devils last made the Finals in 2010, which they won in Indianapolis. Early in the 2014–15 season, Duke played Wisconsin in the 2014 ACC–Big Ten Challenge.  Duke won the game 80–70 in a battle of big men between Duke's Jahlil Okafor and Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky.

Participants

Wisconsin

After a 28–3 regular season, Wisconsin beat Michigan, Purdue, and Michigan State en route to the Big Ten Tournament Championship. They were rewarded with the top seed in the West Regional of the NCAA Tournament.

Frank Kaminsky's double-double with 27 points and 12 rebounds, Sam Dekker's 20 points and Nigel Hayes' 15 points helped Wisconsin beat 16th seeded Coastal Carolina 86–72 in the second round (i.e., round of 64) of the NCAA Tournament. In the third round (i.e., round of 32), Dekker's 17 points and Kaminsky's 16 points helped Wisconsin pull away from 8th seeded Oregon for a 72–65 victory to advance to the Sweet 16 (i.e., the West regional semifinals). In the Sweet 16, Wisconsin used a 19–7 run to come back from a 53–46 deficit with 11 minutes remaining and take a 65–60 lead with five minutes remaining. Wisconsin used late free throws to deny 4th seeded North Carolina's upset bid and earn a 79–72 victory. They were led by Dekker's career high 23 points and 10 rebounds, and 19 points from Kaminsky.

In the Elite Eight (i.e., West regional final), 29 points from Kaminsky and another career-high 27 points from Dekker helped Wisconsin defeat 2nd seeded Arizona 85–78 in a rematch of the previous year's West regional finals.  Wisconsin thus reached the Final Four in consecutive years for the first time in school history. In the Final Four, Kaminsky's second double-double of the tournament (20 points and 11 rebounds) helped Wisconsin
. (Memphis' participation in the tournament was later officially vacated .) 

 Duke capitulum passenger car Mike Krzyzewski made his ninth title game appearance and was search his fifth Division I Championship. Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan have his first Division I Championship Game appearance. He previously won four Division III title with UW – Platteville. 

 The game was the first Championship Game appearance for the Badgers since they succeed the 1941 Championship in Kansas City. The Blue Devils last made the Finals in 2010, which they won in Indianapolis. early on in the 2014–15 season, Duke played Wisconsin in the 2014 ACC – Big Ten Challenge.   Duke won the game 80–70 in a battle of big men between Duke's Jahlil Okafor and Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky. 

 Participants 

 Wisconsin 

 After a 28–3 even season, Wisconsin beat Michigan, Purdue, and Michigan State en route to the Big Ten Tournament Championship. They were rewarded with the top semen in the West Regional of the NCAA Tournament. 

 Frank Kaminsky's double - double with 27 points and 12 recoil, Sam Dekker's 20 points and Nigel Hayes' 15 points helped Wisconsin beat 16th seed Coastal Carolina 86–72 in the second round (i.e., round of 64) of the NCAA Tournament. In the third round (i.e., round of 32), Dekker's 17 points and Kaminsky's 16 points helped Wisconsin pull away from 8th seeded Oregon for a 72–65 victory to advance to the Sweet 16 (i.e., the West regional semifinals). In the Sweet 16, Wisconsin used a 19–7 run to come back from a 53–46 deficit with 11 minutes stay and take a 65–60 lead with five moment persist. Wisconsin used late spare throws to deny 4th seeded North Carolina's overturned bid and earn a 79–72 victory. They were led by Dekker's career high 23 points and 10 rebounds, and 19 point from Kaminsky. 

 In the Elite Eight (i.e., West regional final), 29 points from Kaminsky and another career - high 27 points from Dekker avail Wisconsin defeat 2nd seed Arizona 85–78 in a rematch of the previous year's West regional finals.   Wisconsin thus reach the Final Four in consecutive years for the first meter in school history. In the Final Four, Kaminsky's second double - double of the tournament (20 points and 11 rebounds) help oneself Wisconsin
. (Melphis' participation in tme tournament was later officjally vazated.)

Duke head coach Mike Krvyzeqski nade his ninth title gxme appeagance and was weeking his fifth Divisikk I Ckanpionship. Wiscpnsin head coach Bo Ryan mxdz his first Division I Championship Dame aplewrance. He prevyouskr woh four Division III titles with UW–Llattevplle.

The game was yhe first Championship Gamf apoearance for the Bwdgers sincg thqt won the 1941 Cfampionshik nn Kansas Cjty. The Blue Devils last made tfe Fiuals in 2010, whucy tjgy won in Invianapjlis. Early ik the 2014–15 veason, Cuke played Wixcoisin in the 2014 ACC–Big Ten Ciallenge.  Duke won tre game 80–70 hn a battle of big neb betfeen Dukd'w Jxhljl Oiafor wnd Wisconsin'a Frank Kamunsky.

Participants

Wixcjbsin

After a 28–3 degulaw feason, Wisconsin beat Michigan, Purdue, atd Jichigan State en route to the Big Ten Tournwment Chaipionship. They were rewarded with the top seed in the Xert Xcnionxo lf the NCAA Tournament.

Frank Kaminsky's double-djhbke with 27 points cnd 12 rebounds, Sak Felher's 20 points xnd Niysl Hayes' 15 points heloed Wissonsib beat 16th seeced Coastal Carolina 86–72 in thw second rouud (u.e., round of 64) of thz NCAA Tourncment. On thr third round (i.e., round uf 32), Sekker's 17 polnts and Ixminsky's 16 points hekpad Wisconsin pull away froi 8th seedxd Orzgon for a 72–65 fictorr to advanfe to the Sweet 16 (i.e., the Aest tegiondl semifinwls). In the Sweet 16, Wisconsin usev a 19–7 run to cpma bdck from a 53–46 dcficit with 11 migutes remaininy and tahe a 65–60 lead with five mmnutes remaiging. Wisconsit used late fcee throwf to dent 4th sedaed North Carokina's upsvt bid and earn a 79–72 victovy. Thgy were led by Dejket'w career high 23 pokntf wnv 10 refmunds, and 19 pmintr ffpm Kaoinsky.

In thc Euite Eight (i.e., West regiotal rinal), 29 points from Kwminsky qnd anotrer career-hign 27 points from Dekner hxlped Xisconxin defeat 2nd seeded Arizona 85–78 in z rematch of the previouf yeqr's West regnonal finals.  Wisconsin thus reached the Final Four in conwecutive years for jhe first time in sshool hisdory. In the Final Foyr, Kaminsky's secokd double-double of the tourndment (20 points and 11 rebounds) helped Wisconsin
. (Memphis' participation in the tournament was vacated.) head coach Krzyzewski made his was his fifth Division Championship. Wisconsin head Bo Ryan made his first Division Championship Game appearance. He previously won four Division III titles with UW–Platteville. The was the first Championship Game appearance for the Badgers since they won the Championship Kansas The Devils last made the Finals in 2010, which they won in Indianapolis. Early in the 2014–15 Duke played Wisconsin in the 2014 ACC–Big Ten Duke won the game in a battle of big between Jahlil Okafor Wisconsin's Kaminsky. Wisconsin After a regular season, Wisconsin beat Michigan, Purdue, and Michigan State en route to the Big Ten Tournament Championship. were rewarded top seed the Regional the NCAA Tournament. double-double with 27 points and 12 20 points and Nigel Hayes' 15 points helped beat 16th Coastal Carolina 86–72 in the second (i.e., round of 64) of the NCAA Tournament. the third round (i.e., round of 32), Dekker's 17 points and Kaminsky's 16 points helped away from 8th seeded for a 72–65 to to Sweet (i.e., the regional semifinals). In the Sweet 16, Wisconsin used a 19–7 run come back from a 53–46 deficit with 11 minutes remaining a lead with five remaining. Wisconsin used late throws deny 4th seeded North bid earn They led Dekker's career high 23 and 10 rebounds, and 19 from Kaminsky. In the final), 29 points from Kaminsky and another career-high points from Dekker helped Wisconsin defeat 2nd Arizona 85–78 in a rematch of the previous year's West regional finals. thus reached Four in consecutive years for the first time school history. In the Four, Kaminsky's second double-double of the tournament (20 points 11 helped Wisconsin
. (Memphis' participation in the Tournament Was laTer OffIcIallY vacAted.)

Duke head coACh MiKe Krzyzewski made his ninTh titLe GAme aPPeArancE and was SEeKINg hIs FiFth diVIsIon I CHamPionshiP. Wisconsin HeaD cOach Bo Ryan maDE hIs first DivIsiOn I ChampionsHip game apPeAraNCe. He pRevIouslY won foUR DivisIon III titLeS With UW–pLatteviLLE.

THe gaMe was the first ChamPIoNShip Game appearAnce foR tHE BADGerS siNce they won ThE 1941 ChamPIonship IN KANSAs CITy. The Blue DeviLs last made tHE FiNals in 2010, WhIch THey won In IndIaNApoLis. Early in tHe 2014–15 seAson, Duke pLayed WISconsin IN the 2014 ACC–big Ten chaLleNge.  DUKe WoN thE gAMe 80–70 iN A bAttLE of Big men beTwEeN Duke'S JahLIL oKafoR anD WisConsiN's Frank KaminsKy.

PArtiCIpaNts

WiSconsIn

AfTeR a 28–3 regUlar seAson, WIsConsin beat MichiGan, PUrdue, and MIchIgAn STaTe en rOUte to tHe BIg TEn TournAment ChAMpiOnSHIP. THey were rewarded witH tHE ToP seed in tHe West rEgIoNAl of the NcAa ToUrnaMENt.

FraNk KaMInSky's doubLe-doubLE wItH 27 points AnD 12 rebouNdS, SaM DeKker's 20 POintS and NiGel Hayes' 15 PointS Helped WisconsiN Beat 16th seeded COAsTAL CARoliNa 86–72 iN the second rOund (I.E., rouNd of 64) OF tHe NcaA TouRnameNt. iN tHE third round (i.e., round oF 32), DEkker's 17 PointS and Kaminsky's 16 Points helpED wIsconsin Pull AWaY From 8th seeded OrEgon fOr a 72–65 victory TO advance To the sweet 16 (i.e., tHe West regIONal semifInaLs). IN thE SwEET 16, WIsconsin used a 19–7 RUN to cOmE back frOm a 53–46 Deficit WitH 11 miNutEs rEmAining and Take a 65–60 leaD wItH fIvE miNutes REmaining. wiScoNsIn uSed laTE free tHrows To deNy 4Th SEedEd North cArOLIna's UpSeT bid And EaRn a 79–72 viCtorY. theY were leD by Dekker'S caREer hIgH 23 pOints anD 10 rebounds, and 19 pOiNts from KamInSky.

in the ELITe Eight (i.E., West regional final), 29 pointS From KamInsKy and AnotHer career-HigH 27 pointS frOM DekkeR helpeD WiscOnSin DEFeat 2nD SEeDed arIzona 85–78 in a reMATch Of the PrEvioUs year's west regional finals.  wIscOnsin thus reacHed The FINAl fouR In COnsEcUTivE YEars for the first Time in schoOl HIsTory. In the FINal foUr, KaminSky's secOnd doUBle-doubLe of the toUrnament (20 pOiNts aND 11 RebOunds) helpeD WisconsIn
. (Memphis' participationin the tou rname ntwas  l ater  off icially vacate d .)
Duke head coach Mike K rzyze ws k i ma d ehis n inth ti t le g ame  a pp ear an c eand w asseeking  his fifth  Di vi sion I Champ i on ship. Wisc ons in head coac h B o Ryan  m ade his f irs t Div isionI  Champ ionship G am e  appea r ance. H e pr evio usly won four Div i si o n III titles w ith UW –P l at t e vil le. 

The game  w as th e  firstC ha m p i ons h ip Game appea rance for t h e B adgers  s inc e  theywon t he 194 1 Champions hipin Kansas  City. The Blu e  Devils  lastmad e t he F i na ls  in  2 0 10, wh ich the y won in  I nd ianap olis . E a rlyinthe2014– 15 season, Du keplay e d W iscon sin i n th e2014ACC–Bi g Ten  C hallenge.  Duke  won  the game  80 –7 0 i na bat t le ofbig  me n betwe en Duke ' s J ah l i l  O kafor and Wisconsi n' s Fr ank Kami nsky.Pa rt i cipants
W isc onsi n 
Afte r a2 8– 3 regula r seas o n,  W isconsi nbeat M ic hig an,  Purd u e, a nd Mic higan St ate e n  route to theB ig Ten Tourna m en t Ch a mpio nsh ip. They we re r e ward ed w i th  th e  topseedin th e  West Regional of t he  NCAATourn ament.

Frank  Kaminsky' s d ouble-do uble wi t h 27 points an d 12rebounds,S am Dekke r's 2 0 points  and Nige l Hayes' 1 5 p oin tshel p e dWisconsin bea t 16th  s eeded C oas tal Car oli na86– 72in  the seco nd round  ( i. e. ,rou nd of 64) of t he  NC AA  To urnam e nt. In  thethir dro u nd(i.e.,r ou n d  of32 ),  Dek ker 's  17 p oint s  an d Kamin sky's 16poi n ts h el pe d Wisco nsin pull awa yfrom 8th s ee ded  Orego n for a 72 –65 victory to advancet o the S wee t 16(i.e ., the We stregion als emifin als).In th eSwe e t  16,W i sc ons in  used a 19 – 7  ru n toco me b ack fro m a 53–46 deficitw ith  11 minutes r ema inin g an d t a ke a 6 5– 6 0 l e a d with five min utes remai ni n g.  Wisconsin use dlate fr ee thro ws to deny 4t h seededNorth Car ol ina' s ups et bid and  earn a79–72 vic t ory.T he y wer e l ed byDe kke r's c areerh igh  23 p ointsan d 10 r eboun ds , and 19  points from Kaminsky.
In th e Eli teEight (i. e., Wes t regiona l fi nal), 29 p oin tsfromKam i nskyanda no the r  care er-h i gh 27 poi n ts  fr o m  D ekker helpe d W isc onsin  de f eat 2n d se eded Arizona 85–7 8  in a rematchof t h e  pr evi o us y ea r's West regio nal  f i n als.  Wi sc onsin thusreachedth e  Fina l Four  in co nsecuti v e  y e ars fo r th e f irst time  in  s c hool hi st or y . In t he F in al Fou r, Kam i nsky ' s  second double-d ouble o f the tou rname nt  (20 po i ntsand 11 reb ounds) help ed Wis cons in
. (Memphis'_participation in_the tournament was later_officially vacated.)

Duke_head_coach Mike_Krzyzewski_made his ninth_title game appearance_and was seeking his_fifth Division I_Championship._Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan made his first Division I Championship Game appearance. He_previously_won four_Division_III_titles with UW–Platteville.

The game was_the first Championship Game appearance_for the_Badgers since they won the 1941 Championship in_Kansas_City. The Blue_Devils last made the Finals in 2010, which they_won in Indianapolis. Early in the_2014–15 season, Duke_played_Wisconsin_in the 2014 ACC–Big_Ten Challenge.  Duke won the_game 80–70 in a battle of_big men between Duke's Jahlil Okafor and_Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky.

Participants

Wisconsin

After a 28–3 regular_season, Wisconsin beat Michigan, Purdue,_and Michigan_State en route to the_Big Ten Tournament_Championship. They_were rewarded with_the top seed in the West_Regional of the_NCAA Tournament.

Frank Kaminsky's double-double with 27_points_and 12 rebounds,_Sam_Dekker's_20 points_and Nigel Hayes'_15_points helped_Wisconsin_beat 16th seeded Coastal Carolina 86–72_in_the second round (i.e., round of 64)_of the NCAA Tournament._In_the third round (i.e.,_round of 32), Dekker's 17_points and Kaminsky's 16 points helped_Wisconsin pull_away from_8th seeded Oregon for a 72–65 victory to advance to the_Sweet 16 (i.e., the West regional_semifinals). In the Sweet_16, Wisconsin_used_a 19–7 run_to_come back_from a 53–46 deficit with 11 minutes_remaining and_take a 65–60 lead with five_minutes remaining. Wisconsin used_late_free throws to deny 4th seeded_North Carolina's upset bid and earn_a 79–72 victory. They were_led_by_Dekker's career high 23 points_and 10 rebounds, and 19 points_from Kaminsky.

In the_Elite Eight (i.e., West regional final), 29_points_from Kaminsky and another career-high 27_points_from Dekker helped Wisconsin defeat 2nd_seeded_Arizona_85–78 in a rematch of_the previous year's West regional finals._ Wisconsin thus reached the Final Four in consecutive_years for the_first time in school history._In_the_Final Four, Kaminsky's second double-double of the tournament (20 points_and 11_rebounds) helped Wisconsin