Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Final Four Picks

Will Yeguete
1 Florida vs. 7 UConn
The Florida Gators haven't lost since December 2nd but now they get a meeting with UConn, the last team they lost to in that early December game. The Huskies needed senior Shabazz Napier to hit a huge buzzer beater that time and they will need another big game from Napier, who is averaging 23 points this tournament. Along with Napier, the Huskies' offense relies on junior Ryan Boatright and junior forward DeAndre Daniels, who have helped greatly in victories over Villanova, Iowa State and Michigan State. The Gators meanwhile will bring a lineup of four seniors to the game along with probably the deepest bench of the four teams left in the tourney. Guard Scottie Wilbekin was fantastic in the Elite Eight against Dayton and he is still a great defender who can force turnovers. Wilbekin will have an even more important job than just running the Gators' offense; shutting down Napier who has looked unstoppable at times. Size down low has been an issue for UConn and they will likely have problems trying to stop the combination of Patric Young and Will Yeguete who have size and are great at crashing the boards. Along with the shooting ability of Michael Frazier and Casey Prather, who are great when they are aggressive on the offensive end, Florida's offense should give a weak UConn D all they can handle. The Huskies can definitely beat the Gators if Napier and Boatright are feeling it but Florida outplayed them the last time they played and they are a more talented and deeper team. UConn is an awfully dangerous team but Florida should get vengeance for that early season loss.
Florida, 68 UConn, 63

2 Wisconsin vs. 8 Kentucky
Coming off what may go down as one of the biggest shots in NCAA tournament history, the burning hot Kentucky Wildcats hope to stop a Wisconsin team also coming off a dramatic Elite Eight win. The young 'Cats are peaking at the exact right time and have now beaten three of last season's four Final Four teams (Wichita, Louisville and Michigan). The reason for Kentucky's recent success can be credited to a number of things but the Harrison twins should receive a lot of it. Aaron has been playing fantastic and nailed the game-winner and Andrew has become a more reliable scorer. Lefty sharpshooter James Young is also dangerous from deep and another freshman, Julius Randle has proven he can score in a load of different ways. He has the strength to get into the paint and finish but he is so difficult to defend because his floor-stretch ability. The big question for Kentucky will be about sophomore Willie Cauley-Stein who injured his ankle in their upset of Louisville. Cauley-Stein has been in a boot since and John Calipari doesn't think the shot-blocking machine will play. They will need him against Wisconsin's junior big man Frank Kaminsky. Kaminsky had 28 points and 11 rebounds in their victory over Arizona and can also do damage in a variety of ways. He has great size and strength around the hoop but also has the athleticism to take you on the dribble. Along with three-point bomber Ben Brust and superb sophomore Sam Dekker, the Badgers have a surprisingly dangerous offense, something Bo Ryan has definitely lacked at times. Kentucky is steaming hot and has the pieces in place to take down another great team but Wisconsin has the obvious edge in experience in big games. These two teams seem pretty evenly matched and a big shot could well decide this one as well.
Kentucky, 74 Wisconsin, 71

No comments: