Saturday, April 5, 2014

Final Four Picks and Analysis

This NCAA Tournament has been crazy and it is down to four teams. Wisconsin, UCONN, Florida, and Kentucky all have taken tough roads to get to where they are now in North Texas. The #1 overall seed Florida had a relatively easier road to the Final Four compared to the other 3 teams still in, but the South Region was a hotbed for upsets. They are a very Senior-heavy team and are lead by Point Guard Scottie Wilbekin. They are strong in the paint with Dorian Finney-Smith and Patrick Young. The Gators will be facing the red-hot UCONN team that relies heavily on PG Shabazz Napier. UCONN has beaten St. Joe's in OT, Villanova, Iowa State, and Michigan State to get to Dallas. They came into the tournament a #7 seed and losing their conference championship game to Louisville. They finished their regular season with a 33 point drubbing against Louisville. They were on the wrong side of that massacre. On the other side of the bracket, Wisconsin has been playing terrific basketball lately. They are lead by 7' 0" Center Frank Kaminsky. Kaminsky has been playing great. He can shoot from anywhere on the court. This Badgers team is very efficient and one of the most important players for them is Freshman Nigel Hayes who comes off the bench. He gives them some extra athleticism. Kentucky had to go through the Region of Death. Their whole region was made for TV. They met Wichita State in the Round of 32 and escaped. They then beat a Louisville team that was a tourney favorite. The Wildcats then knocked out Michigan to clinch a spot in the Final Four.
#7 UCONN vs. #1 Florida
6:09 P.M.
This will be one of the best Point Guard matchups you will see in college basketball with Shabazz Napier and Scottie Wilbekin. The key to this game is if the Huskies can handle Florida inside. It will be tough, especially when their leading rebounded is Napier. DeAndre Daniels will have to step up tonight. I expect Casey Prather to have a big game for the Gators.
My Pick: Florida 72 UCONN 65
#8 Kentucky vs. #2 Wisconsin
8:49 P.M.
This will be a very exciting game and UK is very strong inside and is extremely young. Three of Kentucky's starters are from the state of Texas. The two Harrison twins have stepped up hugely lately. Sam Dekker will have to have a big game for the Badgers. The big question for Kentucky is if Sophomore Center Willie Cauley-Stein will take the floor. This will come down to the wire.
My Pick: Kentucky 63 Wisconsin 61