NCAA Championship Game 2015: TV Schedule and Prediction for Duke vs. Wisconsin

Wisconsin ended the undefeated run of Kentucky at 38 games to earn a place in the national championship game against Duke on Monday night. The Blue Devils will be seeking their fifth NCAA tournament title, while the Badgers are playing for their second.

What the game may lack in hype with the Wildcats' perfect season no longer on the line, it should make up for in entertainment value. These two teams are extremely evenly matched, as illustrated by the pick 'em line to open, via Odds Shark.

Let's check out all of the important details for the 2015 NCAA championship game, followed by a look at the bracket, then a preview and prediction for the final.

Viewing Information

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana

When: Monday, April 6 at 9:18 p.m. ET

Watch: CBS

Live Stream: March Madness Live

2015 NCAA Tournament Bracket

Championship Preview

Duke handed Wisconsin its first loss of the season back on Dec. 3. Unfazed by the road atmosphere at the Kohl Center, the Blue Devils shot 65.2 percent from the field, including 58.3 percent from beyond the arc, to score an impressive 80-70 win.

It's a nice footnote heading into the final, but it doesn't mean much. Both teams have changed since that point. Rasheed Sulaimon, who had 14 points off the bench for the visitors that night, was dismissed from the program back in January, for example.

This is a whole new ballgame. And much like the oddsmakers, FiveThirtyEight views the championship clash as a virtual toss-up:

In the Final Four, Wisconsin senior Frank Kaminsky continued to show why he's the best player in college basketball. Heading into the game, some wondered how he would handle Kentucky's size and athleticism. The 7-footer responded by scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

Make no mistake, there are players with more long-term NBA potential than the Wisconsin star. But in terms of polish and current form, he's at the top of the list.

He'll face another difficult test on Monday in the form of Duke freshman sensation Jahlil Okafor, who scored 18 points in the Blue Devils' semifinal win over Michigan State.

ESPN.com's Chad Ford notes the Kaminsky-Okafor showdown is one of two matchups NBA scouts will be watching closely:

Sam Dekker has come through in a major way for the Badgers during the NCAA tournament. He's scored at least 16 points in each of Wisconsin's five tournament games, highlighted by 15 threes. That marksmanship has taken an already strong offensive team to a title-winning level.

Zach Schonbrun of The New York Times passed along comments from the forward following the Badgers' win over Kentucky, who said the title game has been Wisconsin's focus since the season's outset.

"This is something we've been talking about since Day 1 this season," Dekker said. "Look where we are now."

Given the presence of Dekker and Kaminsky, the biggest key to the game will be the Duke defense. After some concerns heading into the tournament about whether Okafor and Co. could come up with big stops, the 61 points Michigan State scored in the Final Four were the most from any of Duke's tournament foes.

If the Blue Devils can put together another top-notch performance on that end of the floor, they will likely cut down the nets. ESPN's Dick Vitale thinks their strong play, combined with the emotions of Wisconsin, gives them the edge:

The emphasis on getting over the Kentucky win makes perfect sense. Beating the previously unbeaten Wildcats can almost feel like winning the title itself. Head coach Bo Ryan must ensure his team turns the page quickly and refocuses on the task at hand.

All told, this should be a tremendous championship game. Kaminsky and Okafor provide the star power, and the polarizing nature of Duke adds to the intrigue. It also helps that all signs point to a close contest, of course.

Look for the veteran Kaminsky to make the difference down the stretch. He will lead Wisconsin to the title and further the discussion about the benefits of staying in school for all four years.

Prediction: Wisconsin 70, Duke 67