Teams find a way to win in March. Regardless of the circumstance – players ineligibility, injuries, foul trouble – to be one of the last four teams standing takes talent, experience, the ability to withstand and luck. Each of this year’s Final Four teams has a unique factor that can propel them to win it all.
Kentucky is the favorite. They are the only No. 1 team left and they have made each game they played look relatively easy. Also, their starting line up has three potential top 10 draft picks. Still, unpredictability is the thrill of March Madness and Ohio State, Kansas and Louisville are no slouches. They earned their way to New Orleans and have their eye on cutting down the nets.
No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats
Anthony Davis. Michael Kidd-Gilchirst. Marquis Teague. Terrence Jones. Doron Lamb.
Enough said.
All five of these underclassmen will hear their name called by David Stern in June.
The Wildcats have been clicking on all cylinders since the NCAA Tournament began and they’ve weathered every storm they’ve come up against – Indiana scored 90 points and still lost by double-digits. Not only are they talented but also they seem to really like each other, and a talented team with good chemistry is hard to beat.
No. 4 Louisville Cardinals
Louisville in New Orleans is a huge surprise, and the coincidence that they’ll have to beat Kentucky to make it to the national title game is a bigger treat.
They play in the toughest conference in college basketball and entered the Big East Tournament having lost four of six of their final regular season games. However, they pulled themselves together during the tournament and are riding an eight game winning streak.
Coach Rick Pitino’s genius has been on display throughout the tournament and the Cardinals’ defense has won them games. They will need a heavy dose of both to beat Kentucky, Kansas or Ohio State.
No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes
Sophomore Jared Sullinger could have been the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft. Instead, he returned to school for this moment. Ohio State wins when Sullinger is at his best. That was evident in its Elite Eight victory over No. 1 seeded Syracuse with Sullinger scoring 19 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
The Buckeyes may not have NBA prospects sprinkled throughout its roster but its role players can compete with anyone and have proven it during the tournament. Aaron Craft, William Buford and Deshaun Thomas have been a big reason Sullinger is this close to fulfilling his goal.
No. 2 Kansas Jayhawks
The Jayhawks have a National Player of the Year candidate in Thomas Robinson and his relentless energy and will to win have fueled this team.
Although Kansas was a No. 2 seed, many doubted their ability to make it to New Orleans. The loss of the Morris twins and coach Bill Self’s unproven roster added to the uncertainty.
Nevertheless, the Jayhawks have arrived. Robinson has led the way with help from Jeff Withey, who turned into one of their best defensive players, and Tyshawn Taylor, who exploded this season averaging just under 17 points a game.
The last time Self reached the Final Four, Kansas won a national championship.
