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Governors Of Connecticut, Kentucky Make Friendly Wager Ahead Of NCAA Title Game

HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) - Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear and Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy are wagering local libations on their home teams in the NCAA Championship men's basketball game.

Beshear bet a fully stocked Kentucky bourbon bar that the 8-seed University of Kentucky Wildcats will win; Malloy is wagering Connecticut wine, beer and chocolate on a Huskies victory.

If the Wildcats win, Malloy said he would send wine from the Jones Family Farms in Shelton, Conn., beer from Two Roads Brewing Company in Stratford, Conn., and Munson's chocolates.

The bourbon basket is created from a half-barrel from Maker's Mark. It will include 13 bourbons.

The barrel also will include barware, glasses, and accessories to conduct a tasting.

"The Wildcats are a formidable team, but I am confident that the Huskies will bring home another championship title," said Malloy in a statement.

"The Wildcats' momentum will continue tonight and carry them past UConn, to UK's ninth NCAA men's basketball championship.  Governor Malloy is a terrific governor and friend, but come Tuesday morning, he will be shipping his wager to Bourbon and Wildcat Country!" Beshear stated.

Kentucky beat No. 2 seed Wisconsin to stamp its ticket to the title game. UConn topped top-seed Florida by 10 points to make it to the championship.

The Cats will tip off against the No. 7 seed Huskies Monday at 9:10 p.m. EST at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game will air live on CBS 2.

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