It’s been a roller coaster of a ride, but we are now down to four teams remaining in the 2011 March Madness tournament. It’s only happened a few times since the NCAA tournament expanded the field to 64 teams that no number one seeds have advanced to Final Four.
This year, there’s no number two seeds either. Don’t call it upsets, it’s the best four teams in the tournament who outshined everyone else getting a chance to play for the National Championship.
Huskies vs Wildcats
The UCONN Huskies will take on the Kentucky Wildcats in what should be a thrilling semi-final. Both teams have are playing their best basketball of the year at the right time and both teams have showed poise and grit throughout the tournament. This game will showcase some bright young stars. Kentucky will have to find a way to contain the sensational play of Kemba Walker and ultra smooth Jeremy Lamb.
Meanwhile, UCONN will have to find a way to stop the onslaught of the Wildcats team and their cold-blooded freshman point guard, Brandon Knight. They say in closing moments of the game it’s “Knight-time” and it has been, the young point guard has been putting teams to bed.
Butler vs VCU
In the other semi-final, VCU the team that shocked the world will face the Butler Bulldogs, the other team with the other young coach that shocked the world. It’s a great story line, two young wizard coaches, two teams that believe in themselves and their system, and two teams who few thought could make it this far; it’s a shame that only one can go through.
This one will be a battle of two of the youngest coaches in college basketball. Look for Butler to slow down the tempo of the game and for Howard to have a big game inside. VCU will have to shoot the light outs again to win this one, but that’s what they seem to do best.
From an objective point of view, the Kentucky Wildcats have had the hardest road to the Final Four. They knocked off Ohio State and North Carolina and if I had to pick a team of destiny, the Wildcats would be my choice.
That said, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to call anything this tournament, and betting against Brad Stevens and Butler has cost too many people too much. Will VCU get served by Butler?
Will Kemba Walker and UCONN Huskies continue their magnificent run?
We have all week to talk smack…Who do you think will be the 2011 NCAA National Champions?
