Everything is bigger in Texas and that will be on display as AT & T Stadium aka Jerry's World and the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys will host College Basketball’s Biggest Event: The Final Four. The match-ups are now set and there will be some premier match-ups for the nation to see this weekend. . Our first time, the Kentucky Wildcats, who were the 8th seed has battled their way through a pretty solid region to earn a chance to play in Monday's national title game. Head coach Jon Calipari has taken his young group of freshman and taught them that simply their hard work would end in rewarding results. Their opponent, the West Regional champions, is from the Big 10 and it is neither Michigan nor Michigan State, it is the Wisconsin Badgers. Bo Ryan the coach of the Badgers has earned his first trip to the Final Four festivities since taking over the college program back in 2001.
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Josh Gasser (21) and Frank Kaminsky, who had a game-high 28 points, celebrate defeating Arizona and Aaron Gordon (11) in the West Regional final. Photo: Harry How, Getty Images
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Wisconsin is led by a solid group of upperclassmen that has excelled this season under Bo Ryan's system. The Badgers, predicated on their defense and outside shooting, has their own identity and Coach Ryan is getting his young players to play to their strength. The unmasked hero for the Badgers on their run to the Final Four is their out-standing seven foot forward Frank Kaminsky. Kaminsky, a junior, barely played before this season, averaging only nine minutes a game as a freshman and sophomore. But he blew up this year, earning all-Big Ten honors while leading the Badgers in scoring and rebounding. In college basketball, only 22 players were used as little last year but as much this year as Kaminsky, according to Synergy Sports Technology. Coming off a posting a double-double which consisted of (28) points and (11) rebounds night versus the number one seed Arizona, Kaminsky is averaging (18.5) points and six rebounds per game in the tournament while shooting 54 percent and provides a strong inside presence against a big and long Kentucky squad. Junior guard Traevon Jackson is the catalyst to the success of the Badgers offensive tempo. He’s the leader in assists and will be counted on dearly to limit turnovers on this tenacious Wildcat team.
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Julius Randle is ALWAYS SMILING. I love it. And he loves that hat. (Bob Donnan/USATSI)
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Many experts projected that Kentucky would indeed be eliminated after the third round matchup with Wichita State has shocked the entire nation. Their victory over Wichita State was the beginning as they proceeded to defeat the defending national champions and 4th seed Louisville Cardinals and clinch the region with a victory over the 2nd seed Michigan Wolverines. Kentucky with each victory continues to prove their doubters wrong. Hands down, Kentucky receiving the 8th seed provided them with motivation and proved to the nation that the "one and done" group could indeed cause havoc in March. Between freshmen Julius Randle, the Harrison twins (Aaron/Andrew), and James Young, they account for more than 50% of Kentucky's offensive production. After losing Willie Cauley-Stein to injury last weekend, there will be adjustments made; however, I believe Calipari will have this group together solid and his message will not change. This is Kentucky's second Final Four appearance in three years and with two wins, they have the opportunity to hang another banner in Rupp Arena. It’s been 73 years since National Title was brought to Madison, Wisconsin; however, The Badgers is a patient and conservative offense that but is an excellent defensive unit. Frank Kaminsky is their key to the Badgers success; however, this isn’t something anyone would have said last year. Julius Randle and the Kentucky arsenal needs to crash the boards on Kaminsky and he will be their main concern. You take him out the equation with the Wildcats length they will have no problem with Wisconsin's guard play.
PREDICTION FOR SATURDAY:
Kentucky 71 Wisconsin 63
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Shabazz Napier, who overcomes an ankle injury, knocks down the winning basket as time expires against Florida. (USATSI)
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In our second Final Four game, the Florida Gators haven’t received a red ink mark on their schedule with the letter "L" written since December 2nd. Their opponent was the Connecticut Huskies and on Saturday, they’ll have a chance to earn redemption. UCONN, the biggest surprise of the tournament, is on another magical run similar to the 2011 national championship run under Kemba Walker. That season, UCONN won five games in five nights to win the Big East tournament then preceded to take their momentum and win the national title game, conveniently in Texas but this game was at Reliant Stadium. In the Gators last loss, Shabazz Napier hit the game winner as time expired for Connecticut off a missed shot where he got his own rebound for the put back and the rest is history.
That loss left a bad feeling in not just head Coach Billy Donovan's mouth but all of the Gators. Since that heartbreaking loss, Florida has won 30 straight games, majority of their victories were blowouts. In the NCAA tournament, Dayton lost by the closest margin and that’s due to Florida tough defense, leading the Gators to a double digit victory in every game of the tournament. This Florida team, led by head coach Billy Donavan, was considered the number one overall seed for most of the season and this tournament has proven they are not a fluke. Their leader, point guard Scottie Wilbekin, is playing at an extremely high level throughout the season. After having a one on one discussion with Donavan, Wilbekin has taken his game to another level. Along with Wilbekin, Casey Prather, Patric Young, and Michael Frazier II all are averaging double figures a game. Florida is a well balanced team and excels at forcing turnovers. Their own VCU style of "havoc" forces you into mistakes and turning your style of ball to their up and down tempo.
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MEMPHIS, TN: Scottie Wilbekin of the Florida Gators drives to the basket as Norman Powell and Travis Wear of the UCLA Bruins defend during a regional semifinal of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the FedEx Forum on March 27, 2014. --- Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
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Their opponent, Connecticut is back in the National Championship mix again but Jim Calhoun is no longer at the helm, it’s his prodigy, former Huskie player now coach Kevin Ollie. Ollie, in his second season in Storrs, has UCONN back on the big stage and has done it with the phenomenal guard play he’s receiving from Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright. Both guards have elevated their game throughout the tournament and similar to Kentucky, the Huskies have knocked off some notable opponents such as the 2nd seed Villanova Wildcats, the 3rd seed Iowa State Cyclones, and winning their region over the 4th seed, Michigan State Spartans. Many projected Michigan State to become the eventual champs; however, they fell short of the Final four to this Connecticut team further destroying millions of brackets. The Huskies have entered to the tournament with a physical presence forcing their way to the free throw line. Their free throw attempt and efficiency is so impressive through the tournament. Many experts and fans alike compares the astounding play of Napier to former UCONN player Kemba Walker, who posted a similar display when the Huskies won the national title just three years ago. Connecticut also has a solid third option on this dynamic team by the name of DeAndre Daniels. Daniels has stepped up especially in the last two rounds in New York to help them advance to Dallas. Florida's back line defense as well as their full court pressure will be the key for the Gators success. Billy Donavan has led Florida to its third Final Four appearance and first since winning the national title in 2007. Connecticut is (6-1) as a school all time in the Final Four but stopping this Gator team will be tough.
PREDICTION FOR SATURDAY: Florida 72 UCONN 65
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( Paul Abell, USA Today Sports / March 16, 2014 )
Mar 16, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators guard Kasey Hill (0) passes the ball under pressure by Kentucky Wildcats guard Jarrod Polson (3) and guard Andrew Harrison (5) in the championship game for the SEC college basketball tournament at Georgia Dome.
Billy Donavan has quietly built a dynasty in Florida. If the Gators aren’t causing a buzz in Gainesville with their success in football, then Donavan and the Gators basketball team has something to say about it. Florida could potentially win their third title in 8 seasons and that’s including back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007, which is hard to do in today's college basketball. I believe Kentucky will advance as well as Florida as they will meet and battle for the fourth time this year for all the marbles. In the end, I feel that Florida will do enough to defeat Jon Calipari's young but talented Kentucky squad for a fourth time earning Donavan and the school’s third national title. GATOR CHOMP
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PREDICTION:
FLORIDA 77 KENTUCKY 73 |
Dope! Should be a good show!
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