JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
University of Kentucky Wildcats versus Louisville Cardinals; two schools from the bluegrass state, their respective campuses less than 70 miles apart, will face each other on the grandest stage in NCAA Basketball, the Final Four, deep in the heart of Bayou country. The schools haven't faced each other in NCAA tournaments since the Midwest Regional in 1984 and never in the Final Four.
This game could be the biggest thing from Kentucky since thoroughbred horse racing.
Before the upcoming game, top-seed Kentucky continued their blaze on the tournament by crushing Baylor (82-70) in the Southwest regional final March 24, placing themselves in the Final Four. In-state rival, Louisville, had already defeated the University of Florida 72-68 March 24.
At a glance, Louisville is not a championship caliber team. However, looking beyond the statistics it gets very clear they do have something to slow the "unstoppable" Wildcats. They exhibit a defensive full-court press that not only slows down their opponents, but as the clock winds down their opponents get sloppy and turn the ball over. Louisville's impressive Sweet 16 upset over top-seed Michigan State (57-44) is a prime example of their basketball style.
However, it's not likely Louisville will be slowing UK down anytime soon. The teams faced each other during the regular season on New Year's Eve at the Wildcat's home, Rupp Arena, where UK not only beat Louisville by seven, but was in control of the ball most of the game.
Bottom line: University of Kentucky will defeat Louisville Cardinals (76-64).
Bourbon Street isn't just being invaded by the Bourbon state; two other schools, both very familiar with winning, will also be contesting their chances at being the national champions.
Those schools are the Ohio State University Buckeyes and the Kansas Jayhawks.
Ohio State sophomore forward Jared Sullinger will be the determining factor to the Ohio State, Kansas game. On paper, they are easily one of the best teams in the nation. Every player from Deshaun Thomas to veteran William Buford are vital to the team, but it all starts with Sullinger.
Sullinger proved his team was tournament ready by overcoming a rocky regular season (going two for three over five games in February) to knocking top-seed Syracuse out of the tournament. Sullinger will be the big name in the Big Easy and defeat Kansas to go onto the championship game.
Bottom line: Ohio State University Buckeyes will defeat Kansas Jayhawks (68 - 64)
That brings me to the championship game; University of Kentucky Wildcats versus Ohio State Buckeyes.
Kentucky has beaten four tournament opponents, including my Indiana Hoosiers, with an overall average of 14 points. However, Ohio State has done similar damage in their bracket by defeating four tournament teams with an average of 12 points a game.
In the end, I don't think anybody, including Sullinger, can slow down Anthony Davis, Doron Lamb, Terrence Jones, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Darius Miller and Marquis Teague. They all commonly have double digit games, which is just a testament to why the Wildcats scored more than 100 points against Indiana.
In the end, the Kentucky Wildcats will be bringing their fifth NCAA national championship home to the Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY.
Bottom line: University of Kentucky Wildcats will win the national championship over Ohio State (82-76).
However, that is just my opinion. Do you have any comments or predictions in regards to the Final Four? Email us at
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