Final Four 2015: Updated Odds and Keys to Victory for Remaining Teams

According to Odds Shark, both the Kentucky Wildcats and Duke Blue Devils are five-point favorites in their respective national semifinal games. The Wildcats will be opposed by the Wisconsin Badgers, and the Blue Devils will face the Michigan State Spartans.

While the Wildcats are undefeated and favored and the Blue Devils also appear to be superior to Michigan State, there's hope for both underdogs to pull the upset. Let's look at the keys to victory in both games.

Wisconsin: Offensive Rebounding; Kentucky: Defensive Rebounding

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As ESPN's Seth Greenberg points out, the Wildcats' biggest issue all season has been its defensive rebounding:

Obviously, the team is undefeated, so it hasn't bitten them yet. However, that area of their game should be of the utmost concern on Saturday.

Despite its wealth of size and athletes, Kentucky ranks just 37th in the nation in defensive rebounding. When it fails to secure defensive rebounds, it obviously gives opponents second looks, but the Wildcats also struggle to get into transition. 

This is one area that the Wildcats have a significant advantage over the Badgers. Kentucky's athletes could allow them to have great success in transition, but if it can't secure the defensive rebound, it can't run.

The Badgers need to earn as many second-chance opportunities as possible. Unfortunately, they have struggled in this area throughout the season. Wisconsin gets 9.5 offensive rebounds per game. That ranks 262nd in the nation.

The scrambles that offensive rebounds cause can create open three-point opportunities. These are chances the Badgers may not be able to create initially in their half-court sets.

The battle on the glass when Wisconsin has the ball will be key.

Duke and Michigan State's Free-Throw Shooting

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In Duke's four losses this season, it has made just 58 percent of its free throws. As a team, Duke shoots only 70 percent. Much of that is due to the fact that Jahlil Okafor, the player who spends the most time on the line, makes just 51 percent of his attempts.

Michigan State is even worse from the line. As a team, it makes just 63 percent of its attempts on the season. In losses, that number dips to 59 percent. In what figures to be a physical game between two defensive-oriented teams, free-throw accuracy will be key.

The team that takes advantage of its attempts from the line will likely come away victorious.

Stats per Statsheet.com.

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