Final Four Time
It is that time.
Time for the Final Four in Mens' Division I-A Basketball.
The upsets, the drama, the obvious wins, and busted brackets have led us to the Tango portion of the Big Dance.
The dance partners, Kansas will be with North Carolina in what ESPN is dubbing the "Roy Williams game" essentially, and Memphis will take on cross country foe UCLA.
But who will win these games, head to the final Sonata, and win the trophy draped in netting?
I'll try and tell you.
UNC v. Kansas
I have a feeling that this will be a close game. Both are athletic, both play aggressive defense, and both have offenses that can score. Pay attention in the low post. If Kansas can control Tyler Hansborough, they will have a good shot at winning the game, and they have to keep his newly found 17-foot jumper under control as well.
But the Jayhawks can't forget about the rest of the Heels, Danny Green, Wayne Ellington, and Ty Lawson specifically, because all 5 guys on the floor can score at will. Also watch for Marcus Ginyard.
For UNC, Kansas is led by the 3-headed monster of Brandon Rush, Darrell Arthur, and Mario Chalmers, these guys must be kept in check if the Heels want to go to the title game and win Roy Williams' 2nd title at North Carolina. Watch for Darnell Jackson to play a big role if one of the big 3 get shut down, plus it will be interesting to see him and Hansborough got at it in the post.
Not surprising, whoever wins the battle of the boards will have the best shot at winning this game. Add that with taking care of the ball, and converting turnovers (not telling round-ball enthusiasts anything new I know) will probably win this game.
Also pay attention to Kansas coach Bill Self. It is his first time in the Final Four, and the virgin of this dance is wanting to prove experience means nothing.
We will see if he can keep his composure if the game is close in the waning seconds.
My pick: UNC 76, Kansas 68
Memphis vs. UCLA
It is Calipari's wide open offense against the more traditional, and the traditional powerhouse, UCLA.
The Tigers (how many times as that nickname been on the Report?) are led by the phenomenal freshman Derrick Rose, junior Robert Dozier, and Antonio Anderson. If you haven't gotten to see Memphis this year, my best image of them is the NBA's Suns before the Shaq trade, so before they were boring. This is a running team with "no place for a slow big man" according to Coach John Calipairi in the beginning of the season. Get the popcorn, because you are in for a show if you haven't seen these guys play ball.
For UCLA, they are more of a inside out team (traditional, what else do you expect from a team with that many round ball titles?). The Bruins are led by an outstanding freshman of their own in Kevin Love. Also watch for Darren Collison, Russell Westbrook, and Josh Shipp. Head man Ben Howland is building his own version of the UCLA powerhouse that was once, and still is, John Wooden's.
Really, this game will be a tough one to pick. If it is a fast paced game, I give the edge to the Tigers. If it is a more traditional, half court game, then I give a lean to UCLA. Again, as mentioned in the UNC/Kansas game, the normal bball intangibles apply (rebs, turnovers, pts off turnovers) and I really think this game will be decided at the foul line, a place where Memphis is their weakest.
My pick: UCLA 83, Memphis 79
So, my final is a battle of traditions, the Celtics and Lakers of college basketball, UCLA versus UNC; the Bruins vs the Tar Heels.
I'll give my pick for the final when the two teams are decided.
Maestro, if you will, hit the music.
Time for the Final Four in Mens' Division I-A Basketball.
The upsets, the drama, the obvious wins, and busted brackets have led us to the Tango portion of the Big Dance.
The dance partners, Kansas will be with North Carolina in what ESPN is dubbing the "Roy Williams game" essentially, and Memphis will take on cross country foe UCLA.
But who will win these games, head to the final Sonata, and win the trophy draped in netting?
I'll try and tell you.
UNC v. Kansas
I have a feeling that this will be a close game. Both are athletic, both play aggressive defense, and both have offenses that can score. Pay attention in the low post. If Kansas can control Tyler Hansborough, they will have a good shot at winning the game, and they have to keep his newly found 17-foot jumper under control as well.
But the Jayhawks can't forget about the rest of the Heels, Danny Green, Wayne Ellington, and Ty Lawson specifically, because all 5 guys on the floor can score at will. Also watch for Marcus Ginyard.
For UNC, Kansas is led by the 3-headed monster of Brandon Rush, Darrell Arthur, and Mario Chalmers, these guys must be kept in check if the Heels want to go to the title game and win Roy Williams' 2nd title at North Carolina. Watch for Darnell Jackson to play a big role if one of the big 3 get shut down, plus it will be interesting to see him and Hansborough got at it in the post.
Not surprising, whoever wins the battle of the boards will have the best shot at winning this game. Add that with taking care of the ball, and converting turnovers (not telling round-ball enthusiasts anything new I know) will probably win this game.
Also pay attention to Kansas coach Bill Self. It is his first time in the Final Four, and the virgin of this dance is wanting to prove experience means nothing.
We will see if he can keep his composure if the game is close in the waning seconds.
My pick: UNC 76, Kansas 68
Memphis vs. UCLA
It is Calipari's wide open offense against the more traditional, and the traditional powerhouse, UCLA.
The Tigers (how many times as that nickname been on the Report?) are led by the phenomenal freshman Derrick Rose, junior Robert Dozier, and Antonio Anderson. If you haven't gotten to see Memphis this year, my best image of them is the NBA's Suns before the Shaq trade, so before they were boring. This is a running team with "no place for a slow big man" according to Coach John Calipairi in the beginning of the season. Get the popcorn, because you are in for a show if you haven't seen these guys play ball.
For UCLA, they are more of a inside out team (traditional, what else do you expect from a team with that many round ball titles?). The Bruins are led by an outstanding freshman of their own in Kevin Love. Also watch for Darren Collison, Russell Westbrook, and Josh Shipp. Head man Ben Howland is building his own version of the UCLA powerhouse that was once, and still is, John Wooden's.
Really, this game will be a tough one to pick. If it is a fast paced game, I give the edge to the Tigers. If it is a more traditional, half court game, then I give a lean to UCLA. Again, as mentioned in the UNC/Kansas game, the normal bball intangibles apply (rebs, turnovers, pts off turnovers) and I really think this game will be decided at the foul line, a place where Memphis is their weakest.
My pick: UCLA 83, Memphis 79
So, my final is a battle of traditions, the Celtics and Lakers of college basketball, UCLA versus UNC; the Bruins vs the Tar Heels.
I'll give my pick for the final when the two teams are decided.
Maestro, if you will, hit the music.
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