Kentucky (32-3 straight up, 22-10 against the spread) and Marquette (26-5 SU, 18-9 ATS) will collide Saturday in Minneapolis for the ninth time in NCAA Tournament history. The winner will advance to the Final Four in New Orleans to meet the Arizona-Kansas winner.
Tom Crean has pointed Marquette to its first Elite Eight since 1977. (AP)
Oddsmakers at Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened the Wildcats as eight-point favorites, with the total starting at 140.
UK advanced to its first Elite Eight since 1999 via a hard-fought 63-57 win over fifth-seeded Wisconsin. The six-point win wasn't enough to cover the 11-point spread, while 'under' players collected from the 130-point total.
The win was costly, however, as senior guard Keith Bogans left thegame with an ankle injury. His status for Saturday is in question.
Without Bogans, center Marquis Estill became the focus of the offense, and the big man responded. Estill finished with 28 points while no other UK player posted double-figure scoring.
Tubby Smith's team has now won 26 in a row SU, in addition to a 15-4-1 ATS spree.
When these schools met in Orlando for the second-round of the 1994 Tournament, Marquette knocked off Rick Pitino's team in a huge upset.
The Golden Eagles will have another upset in mind Saturday, but it won't resemble the magnitude of the '94 shocker because this Marquette team is loaded. Led by superstar Dwyane Wade, this team is dangerous.
Wade tallied 20 of his 22 points in the second half, while power forward Scott Merritt added 17 in a 77-74 upset win over second-seeded Pitt. The three-point Sweet 16 win came in a six-point underdog role. Money-line players backing Marquette brought home plus 220 on the comeback.
This is the first time Marquette has qualified for a regional final since the late Al McGuire guided the Golden Eagles to the '77 national title.
Tom Crean's team found a way despite an off shooting night from point guard Travis Deiner, who had only four points. Instead, Marquette showed its scoring depth with big performances in the paint from Robert Jackson (16 points) and Merritt, who buried a pair of clutch free throws with 11 seconds remaining.
Pitt's Julius Page should get credit for denying Deiner (2-8 FG) clean looks at the basket, but it isn't as if the Marquette point guard hurt his team. In fact, the sophomore dished out eight assists in 36 turnover-free minutes.
Obviously, Bogans' status is a big key to this game. His injury was enough to keep him out of a game that was in doubt for 39 minutes. Therefore, it's apparent the senior slasher will be at less than 100 percent if he can play at all.
Remember though, Indiana's Tom Coverdale played the final four games of last year's Tournament with a badly sprained ankle. Coverdale was effective at times, but his mere presence seemed to give the Hoosiers a lift. This same scenario will apply to Bogans.
Jackson and Estill's matchup in the paint will be a focal point. These players are no strangers, as Jackson spent his first three seasons of college in the SEC at Mississippi State.
UK head coach Tubby Smith owns a 23-8 SU record (17-4 at UK) in Big Dance play. This is the fifth-best percentage among active coaches. Smith will attempt to guide UK to its 14th Final Four appearance.
For what it's worth, the 'Cats are 31-6 in domes, including a 4-2 mark at the Metrodome. UK recorded a pair of wins at the Metrodome on the way to the '96 championship.
Tom Crean has pointed Marquette to its first Elite Eight since 1977. (AP)
Oddsmakers at Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened the Wildcats as eight-point favorites, with the total starting at 140.
UK advanced to its first Elite Eight since 1999 via a hard-fought 63-57 win over fifth-seeded Wisconsin. The six-point win wasn't enough to cover the 11-point spread, while 'under' players collected from the 130-point total.
The win was costly, however, as senior guard Keith Bogans left thegame with an ankle injury. His status for Saturday is in question.
Without Bogans, center Marquis Estill became the focus of the offense, and the big man responded. Estill finished with 28 points while no other UK player posted double-figure scoring.
Tubby Smith's team has now won 26 in a row SU, in addition to a 15-4-1 ATS spree.
When these schools met in Orlando for the second-round of the 1994 Tournament, Marquette knocked off Rick Pitino's team in a huge upset.
The Golden Eagles will have another upset in mind Saturday, but it won't resemble the magnitude of the '94 shocker because this Marquette team is loaded. Led by superstar Dwyane Wade, this team is dangerous.
Wade tallied 20 of his 22 points in the second half, while power forward Scott Merritt added 17 in a 77-74 upset win over second-seeded Pitt. The three-point Sweet 16 win came in a six-point underdog role. Money-line players backing Marquette brought home plus 220 on the comeback.
This is the first time Marquette has qualified for a regional final since the late Al McGuire guided the Golden Eagles to the '77 national title.
Tom Crean's team found a way despite an off shooting night from point guard Travis Deiner, who had only four points. Instead, Marquette showed its scoring depth with big performances in the paint from Robert Jackson (16 points) and Merritt, who buried a pair of clutch free throws with 11 seconds remaining.
Pitt's Julius Page should get credit for denying Deiner (2-8 FG) clean looks at the basket, but it isn't as if the Marquette point guard hurt his team. In fact, the sophomore dished out eight assists in 36 turnover-free minutes.
Obviously, Bogans' status is a big key to this game. His injury was enough to keep him out of a game that was in doubt for 39 minutes. Therefore, it's apparent the senior slasher will be at less than 100 percent if he can play at all.
Remember though, Indiana's Tom Coverdale played the final four games of last year's Tournament with a badly sprained ankle. Coverdale was effective at times, but his mere presence seemed to give the Hoosiers a lift. This same scenario will apply to Bogans.
Jackson and Estill's matchup in the paint will be a focal point. These players are no strangers, as Jackson spent his first three seasons of college in the SEC at Mississippi State.
UK head coach Tubby Smith owns a 23-8 SU record (17-4 at UK) in Big Dance play. This is the fifth-best percentage among active coaches. Smith will attempt to guide UK to its 14th Final Four appearance.
For what it's worth, the 'Cats are 31-6 in domes, including a 4-2 mark at the Metrodome. UK recorded a pair of wins at the Metrodome on the way to the '96 championship.
