Final Four Thoughts

Now that we have the Final Four set, let's go back to my post of 2/16.  I had UCONN as a team that could easily make the Final Four and that's it!  I named 16 teams and only one made it.  Butler didn't come out of nowhere, nor did Kentucky.  VCU was a shock.  The parity in college basketball is amazing.

It's actually disappointing that the 2 "Cinderellas" have to face off against each other in the semi-finals.  The battle between VCU and Butler for a National Championship would have been, well, a fairy tale.  That said, the Match-ups in the Final Four are nothing short of delightful.

UCONN is riding a formula everyone has seen from them before.  Their two championship teams, in 1999 and 2004, featured high scoring guards, Rip Hamilton in 1999 and Ben Gordon in 2004.  They also featured great shot blocking forwards.  Jim Calhoun's teams feature guards that can shoot and go the the hole, and he teaches his big men to go to the glass as if a shot is a pass off the rim.  It works for UCONN.  This year's team is no different...Walker is a money guard, and UCONN sports 3 players that combine for over 4 blocks a game on the defensive end and, between the same 3 big men, over 5 dunks a game.

Kentucky has so much young talent.  Knight, Lamb, and Jones have hit their stride as freshman.  It is obvious that Calipari can weather a season with freshman and prepare them for post-season play.  This isn't the first time he's done it and, as a friend of mine pointed out astutely in his blog before the Tournament (blogspot.andaplayertobenamedlater.com), Kentucky felt shunned by the Committee in receiving a 4 seed.  I love the UCONN match-up.  It will be a war.  UCONN will win by 7.

Butler going up against VCU is every bit as intriguing.  VCU is averaging over 10 3's a game in the Tournament, so you have to wonder how they will hold up if Butler can limit their 3's.  Of course, fanning your defense out to contest treys allows for back-door cuts and dribble penetration, and VCU has great team quickness.  I believe Butler will try and establish their big men early in the game.  This will allow them to control the tempo of the game.  Since Butler is so well coached and was in this position just last year, I think they will keep this game in the high 60's / low 70's and win by 5.