Well, I managed to miss every single Elite 8 game this
weekend, as I was chaperoning a school activity. However, I am good at looking
at stats and recaps, so I understand what went on mostly. The four teams that
are headed to New Orleans for the 2012 NCAA Final Four are Kentucky,
Louisville, Kansas, and Ohio State. Lets take a look at each matchup and give
predictions for who will be playing in the title game.
Kentucky (1) vs. Louisville (4)
This game is a matchup of 2 men who
have exactly the same haircut. But enough about fashion…sorry. Kentucky has
been the assumed National Champion for the last 2 months. They ravaged the SEC
and have shown surprising resilience to go along with their incredible overall
skill level. Their trio of freshman have final ALL started to play like future
NBA players (ahem, Mr. Teague), and
the older players that Calipari uses the most (Jones, Miller, Lamb) have made this team very difficult to beat.
Against an undisciplined team like Baylor, Kentucky will just massacre you.
However, Louisville is no Baylor. I
do not mean that as an insult to Baylor, but Louisville has really grown up in
the last couple of weeks. This team has some elder statesmen in Kuric and Siva
that keep this team running hot, and they have a very large frontcourt that
will battle Kentucky on the glass all game. In fact, 2 of the best shotblockers
in the entire country will be squaring off in Dieng and Davis. The shots will
be tough to come by in this game.
In the end, Louisville was given a
4 seed for a reason. They hit the glass really hard and rebound a lot of
misses, but some of that is because they do not shoot the ball terribly well.
Peyton Siva has zero outside shot, and Kuric has proven himself to be this
teams only reliable 3 point shooter who can also contribute in other
areas. Kentucky simply has the willpower and the talent to win this game.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will punch everyone in the face as he rebounds and
defends with a vengeance, and the leadership of Dorn Lamb and Darius Miller will
carry this Kentucky team to the Championship Game.
Kentucky 82- Louisville 71
Kansas (2) vs. Ohio State (2)
This game
should be the more hard-fought battle, as these teams each bring some
similarities and differences to the table.
Both teams
like to start their offence with their best players, who happen to be very
similar people. Thomas Robinson and Jared Sullinger are THE two best post
players in the NCAA Div 1 this year, and they both look to dominate opponents.
Both players have refined post up games, although Sullinger is a better shooter
and Robinson is more explosive. They are both willing passers, though they both
realize that they are the number 1 option on their team.
One of the
differences that these teams have is their floor general. Tyshawn Taylor and
Aaron Craft are two very different players. Taylor is explosive, creative, and
accident prone, Craftis steady, effective, and creates turnovers. While Taylor
will be the better NBA player in a few years, Craft is already one of the best individual
and team defenders in college basketball. If Craft shuts Taylor down, or if
Taylor is able to play to his strengths, this game will be decided by the point
guards.
There are
just so many variable to this game! If Elijah Robinson plays really well, if
William Buford can actually contribute consistently, if Deshaun Thomas
continues to tear up opposing teams, if Jeff Withey blocks every single shot
that OSU takes….There are so many variables in this game. I am very excited
about this one! Overall, I think that Kansas has a slight advantage in this
game, as they have Thomas Robinson, the National Player of the Year in my eyes.
Kansas 68 – Ohio State 63
What is your pick? Let me know why you agree or disagree
with this post.
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