Having gone against the Kentucky Wildcats in their previous two games — wins over Ohio State and North Carolina — a Kentucky fan reached out to me this week hoping that I would continue the pattern and take Connecticut. At
Having gone against the Kentucky Wildcats in their previous two games — wins over Ohio State and North Carolina — a Kentucky fan reached out to me this week hoping that I would continue the pattern and take Connecticut.
At long last, I will oblige that Wildcat fan and go with the UConn Huskies to reach Monday’s title game.
That pick comes with a caveat, because I feel like this is about as close a matchup as there has been in the tournament. UConn has defied all the odds to reach this point, and to some degree, so has Kentucky. Both Coach Calhoun and Calipari are to be commended for the way they have taken teams few predicted to be in Houston mere months ago and shaped them into legitimate contenders.
Kentucky has done it with both athleticism and efficiency. This is not a typical young team. The Wildcats are smart and play together. Point guard Brandon Knight leads the charge and center Josh Harrelson has been a rock in the paint the past four games.
Everyone knows Kemba Walker by now, but freshman Jeremy Lamb is the dynamic player UConn has needed to emerge as a threat.
The difference today will be how UConn is able to get its points. Harrelson has done an outstanding job limiting other big men, so if the Huskies can get both Walker and Lamb going in transition and from the perimeter, that gives them the edge.
The pick:
UConn, 68-66
In the opening game, Butler and VCU are another contrast of styles. VCU loves to shoot the three, but it doesn’t do so recklessly. This team works its possessions and gets good looks for good shooters. They don’t just jack up terrible shots like some other teams that merely have a puncher’s chance.
Butler has had a few days to prepare and coach Brad Stevens can say everything he wants about how it’s better to be naive than to be experienced at the Final Four. I’m not buying it. Last year’s run by the Bulldogs gets them in a mindset that VCU is incapable of matching.
Matt Howard and Shelvin Mack are going to have a big day and some of those shots by VCU’s guards are going to stop falling. The Rams deserve to be right where they are, having slayed more than their fair share of giants. But it ends today with Butler returning to its second straight championship game.
The pick:
Butler 71, VCU 58
