Like the other semifinal, Wisconsin vs Kentucky is a no.3 seed vs a no.1 seed. It’s just the second time Kentucky has made a final four. Meanwhile, it’s Wisconsin’s seventh tripThe no.3 seed Badgers take on the no.1 seed Wildcats at 8:00pm on Thursday, December 18th for a chance to play for a national title.

No.1 Kentucky

Kentucky swept Wofford to start their tournament run before giving up a set to the eight-seed UCLA. The Wildcats were firing on all cylinders for a sweep of tournament Cinderella Cal Poly, then blanked Creighton to punch their ticket to the Final Four.

It’s been relatively smooth sailing for the Wildcats, who’ve lost just two times this year–once to Nebraska (now out of the tournament thanks to Texas A&M) and once to Pitt, a potential opponent should Kentucky advance to the championship. Kentucky’s dominance is reflected in the fact that minus two runs in the middle of the season, the Wildcats have rarely dropped sets in back to back matches. They’re that confident and that disciplined at keeping up the pressure on teams throughout a game. The catch? The Wildcats have never beaten Wisconsin.

Players to Watch

The Wildcats are stacked, as one would expect from a no.1 seed. But, in the biggest game so far, all eyes should be on freshman setter Kassie O’Brien. The second-team All-American and 2025 National Freshman of the Year helps to generate the Wildcats offense. She’s managed to improve her assists per set from 11.02 to 13.15 in the NCAA tournament, quite literally flourishing on the biggest stage. That’s what the Wildcats will need from her as they attempt to take down a team that’s consistently had their number, though they’ve never met in the postseason.

No.3 Wisconsin

Like Kentucky, the Badgers have seemed to glide through the tournament so far. Back to back sweeps of Eastern Illinois and UNC started their run. Wisconsin dropped a set to no.2 Stanford in the Sweet Sixteen and then dropped a set to Texas in the Elite Eight.

The Badgers have looked poised throughout their run, efficiently shutting the doors on teams hoping to have their comeback moment. Against Stanford, after dropping the second set 25-21, the Badgers closed out two relatively tight sets 25-23, 25-22. The win over Texas was revenge for a Longhorn sweep early in the season–proof of how the Badgers have grown into the season. None of the other three teams Wisconsin has lost to this season remain in the tournament.

Players to Watch

Mimi Coyler will help set the tone for the Badgers both in terms of play and in terms of emotions. Recently named a first-team all American, Coyler leads the Badgers in kills per game as an outside hitter. This season alone she’s broken the record for most kills, at 566 and counting with, she hopes, two more matches to go.

More than just her offense though, Coyler backs up her performance with gritty defense. She’s had nine double-doubles this year and is third on the team in digs this season at 235. She’s a force and in a game where the skill level is so high, what might matter more is which team can impose their will more thoroughly on the other. Coyler plays a huge role in that as a playmaker that can burn you offensively and come up big on the defensive end as well.

5Wins Prediction: Kentucky. Not enough people are giving Kentucky credit for the (relatively) quiet season they’ve put together.