By Neil Schmidt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

UK's Keith Bogans dunks in practice Wednesday. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

MINNEAPOLIS - Most pundits predict Kentucky will reach the Final Four and be the favorite to win the NCAA title. Yet there's a big reason the Wildcats aren't looking ahead: They haven't been past the Sweet 16.

Only fifth-year senior Jules Camara, who was a freshman on an Elite Eight team, has advanced past this round.

"This is my third year in a row in the Sweet 16," UK senior guard Keith Bogans said. "This is my last shot, my last chance. Right now, winning this game is our only goal."

MADER MAY PLAY: Wisconsin reserve center Dave Mader, who has been out two weeks with a broken bone in his right (shooting) hand, has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable for tonight. He said his availability will be a game-time decision.

The 6-foot-11, 255-pound junior could provide a needed inside presence. He had a full practice Wednesday, reporting no ill effects.

"I don't think I'm going to be the answer," he said. "But I think I can help. I can contribute."

MORE HONORS: Basketball Times has named Tubby Smith its national coach of the year. The UK coach has earned the same honor from The Sporting News, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, ESPN and FoxSports.com.

DOWN UNDER: Wisconsin senior guard Kirk Penney, a New Zealand native, is certainly seasoned. He's the lone holdover from the 2000 Final Four team, and he played for his country in the 2000 Olympics and 2002 World Championships.

Penney was recruited by Badgers assistant coach Tony Bennett, who met him while playing professional basketball in New Zealand.

Penney's father, Paul, has come to watch him play in the NCAA, and mother Marie has followed his games on the Internet.

"They told me going into the tournament that if we made the Sweet 16, the games from then on would be shown on TV (back home)," Penney said. "So that is kind of nice."

CROWD SPLIT: UK usually has a large advantage in fan support during the postseason. But Minnesota residents have bought many tickets, and Badger fans have a shorter commute than UK fans.

"I just hope that (Minnesota) people will show the league alliance that we showed ... when Illinois was playing in Madison last year for the Sweet 16," Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan said.

STAT CHAT: Wisconsin has made 56 more free throws (442 of 603) than its opponents have attempted (281 of 386). ... The Badgers have won 105 games the past five seasons. ... This is the 15th time Wisconsin has faced the No. 1 team in the nation. It is 1-13, with the victory coming March 3, 1962 against Ohio State.