The Fresh Final Four

UCONN vs. Kentucky

            Will Kemba finally become tired? That is the key question to this game. We know how Kentucky plays: a fast offensive system with a couple of big guys clogging the lane defensively. They can all be stopped by Kemba, but will Kemba ever show signs of slowing down. Kemba Walker is a fantastic player, but he carries this team too much. Other guys NEED to help him. There is a point-per-game differential of 12.8 points between Kemba and the next best shooter, Jeremy Lamb. Jamal Coombs-McDaniel could be a surprise because he has been streaky and hasn’t had a very good game since February 16^th against Georgetown. I like Brandon Knight for Kentucky, but he has to assert himself and take over this game if Kentucky will win. I am not as impressed with Terrence Jones as I was at the beginning of the season, I believe he has kind of faded behind Knight. I believe UCONN will win. I don’t see Kemba Walker getting tired yet and I think Roscoe Smith, Alex Oriakhi, and Shabazz Napier will help him contain Kentucky. The key is Kemba Walker. If he finishes the game with less than 20 points, they have a good chance of losing the game against a John Calipari team hungry for the finals.

Butler vs. VCU

            First let me state that I believe Butler will win. Butler’s unfaltering patience and depth will win them this game. I have believed since the beginning of the tournament that they are the best defensive team in the country. Howard, Mack, Smith, Vanzant, Marshall, Nored, Hahn, and Stigall. All of those guys have the ability to stop VCU. For VCU, the key is defense. If they can defend Butler better than Butler defends them, they have a good chance of winning. We know that Skeen, Burgess, and Rodriguez can score, rebound, and assist, but can they defend? I don’t believe so. At least, not well enough for Butler, the experienced team. Expect Butler to outduel VCU.

My Finals Prediction: UCONN vs. Butler