This year's NCAA Tournament has consisted of many great individual performances and many incredible team victories. Outstanding teams were sent home early by low name programs showing up on the big stage. Out of all this chaos the tournament has left us with four amazing teams playing in what is sure to be an unforgettable Final Four.
This year there will be two nice match ups on April 5th 2014 featuring the number one overall ranked Florida against the streaking seventh seed from the east, the Huskies of Connecticut. The second game game is the number two seed Wisconsin from the west and the #8 seed Kentucky emerging from the rough midwest. These games could go either way and the country should be gearing up for some high quality basketball.
#1 Florida vs. #7 Uconn: The last time the Florida Gators suffered defeat was at the hands of Shabazz Napier's crazy buzzer beater in Connecticut back in early December. Since then Florida has played better than any team in the country and is ranked as the first overall seed in the tournament. Although many people feel that the Huskies can not repeat their performance from earlier anything is possible in the big dance.
I do not believe history will repeat itself and the Florida Gators will win and move on the the national championship game. Uconn is going to have some major matchup problems just like everyone Florida plays. Aside from that the Gators are one of the most athletic teams in the country and will be able to beat the Huskies in transition as well as on the offensive and defensive glass. The obvious premiere matchup in the game is Scottie Wilbekin against Shabazz Napier. Both are extremely skilled and athletic players who lead the way for their teams. I believe Napier will outplay Wilbekin because the he is on a big stage and the lights are shining that is when he is at his best. He is having one of the greatest showings in NCAA Tournament history and literally holding Uconn up. Although I think Napier will win that matchup, Florida is just too powerful all around. Patrick Young will be the difference maker in the game. The weakest part of the Huskies is their forwards and there is no one on Connecticut that will be able to handle the physical presence of Young down low. Young will be the difference maker and Uconn will still have to account for the likes of Casey Prather, Michael Frazier and Dorian Finney-Smith. It was a good run for Uconn, but I believe Florida will get it done.
Prediction: 65-59 Gators
#2 Wisconsin vs. #8 Kentucky: The winner of this heavy weight battle will be able to cause some major issues to both Florida and Uconn. These teams really do not get to see each other too often coming from the Big 10 and SEC, but both have a tremendous amount of respect for each other Both teams have taken out some great clubs to get to the Final Four making for a solid game that will not disappoint.
This game will come down to the wire. These two teams have strengths all around the court and it will come down to whoever steps up in the game. Frank Kaminsky has been single handedly destroying front courts this entire tournament, however the challenge of facing Kentucky's bigs could throw big Frank off a little. Kentucky's best chance of stopping Kaminsky is having Julius Randle on him and occasionally switch to Dakari Johnson. If Kaminsky can not overpower Kentucky the Badgers will not be able to play up to their standards. The keys in this game are the Harrison twins, Andrew and Aaaron. Wisconsin's forwards are where they are strong, but they drop off a little in the backcourt. Andrew Harrison can score as wel as create offense for others. Aaron Harrison is a lights out shooter who has also shown that he can perform in the clutch. These two guards will be too much for Wisconsin to handle and will give Kentucky a large enough advantage to win this game. \
Prediction 72-70 Kentucky.
If these two predictions ring true it will set up an incredible national championship featuring an SEC rivalry with Florida and Kentucky. That would be a historic championship game, but we can't get ahead of ourselves just yet.
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