Friday: Who's going to advance to the NCAA national championship?

It’s Friday!

I’m back to college basketball today with my Final Four predictions. I’m going to breakdown each matchup and then tell you who I think will advance to the championship game.

So here we go.

No. 1 Florida vs. No. 7 Connecticut, 5:09 p.m. (CST), TBS

This is a rematch to an absolute thriller earlier this season. In fact, it was the last time Florida lost, when Shabazz Napier rebounded his own miss and hit a game-winning 10-footer. There are some extremely interesting matchups here.

1.     Napier vs. Scottie Wilbekin: In today’s game when it’s all about size and strength, it’s refreshing to watch the creativity these players have. No one in the country is as crafty at scoring thebasketball than Napier. He’ll cross you over. He’ll hit a three in your face. He’ll kick out his legs on an jumpshot to draw a foul. He’ll go under the hoop and flip in a layup. Napier has been the best player in this tournament so far, but he might meet his arch nemesis in Wilbekin Saturday night. The Florida senior leader has been brilliant in his own right for the Gators. He wills his team to victory, much like Napier. This matchup might not determine the outcome of the game, but crack open a beer and enjoy it.

2.     Florida’s defense vs. UConn’s defense: Both of these teams have played phenomenal defense in the      tournament, but in different ways. Florida suffocates you with its length and full court press. It just          wears teams down by the time the final buzzer sounds. UConn uses its defense to get out in                    transition more. The Huskies lead the tournament field in steals because of their quickness to the            ball. Florida gets on you, but UConn gets under you. It’ll be interesting to see what style wins.

3.     DeAndre Daniels vs. Dorian Finney-Smith: These players are the X factors for both teams, and both have been brilliant this tournament. Daniels put on a show against Iowa State in the Sweet 16 and then had another solid performance against Michigan State in the Elite Eight. Finney-Smith—the SEC Sixth Man of the Year—has also provided sparks for the Gators. He effects the game more defensively with his length rather than offensively. However, he can still put up points in bunches. The winner of this matchup might be the difference in the game.

Prediction: Florida is just too good defensively. Napier keeps UConn close, but the Gators move on. Florida 65 UConn 60.

No. 2 Wisconsin vs. No. 8 Kentucky, 30 minutes following first game, TBS

An intriguing matchup of differing styles here. The Badgers are all about efficiency on both ends of the floor, while Kentucky just overpowers teams with it’s size and athleticism. Here are some key matchups.

1.     Frank Kaminsky vs. the Kentucky frontcourt: No one has been able to slow down Kaminsky in this tournament. Not even the massive frontcourt of Arizona, which probably has three first round NBA draft picks. The Wildcats boast the same kind of talent up front, but how do you stop Kaminsky? At 7-feet, he can dribble around bigger defenders, he can shoot over the top of smaller ones and is about as crafty as it comes in the low post. Look for Kaminsky to be doubled every time he touches the ball, but that might not work either. He’s good at passing too.

2.     Julius Randle vs. the Wisconsin frontcourt: Other than Napier, I don’t think there’s been a player in the tournament that’s impressed me more than Randle. His maturity has grown immensely during this run. Add that to his freakish athleticism, you’re looking at a damn good player. He’s so aggressive on the glass that it’s impossible to stop him sometimes. Look for Wisconsin to throw multiple defenders at him, including freshman Nigel Hayes and sophomore Sam Dekker. Kaminsky might get a shot at him too later in the game if foul trouble isn’t an issue. There will be some grown men playing basketball in Dallas Saturday night that’s for sure.

3.     Wisconsin backcourt vs. Kentucky backcourt: All right, enough talk about the big men. What about those guards? Wisconsin’s guards haven’t been great this tournament, but they are always reliable when it counts. And boy, can all of them shoot the basketball. Kentucky’s length will come in handy while trying to stop that 3-point shooting. The Harrison twins have been playing lights-out basketball, and James Young has been spectacular as well. I’ve often underestimated the Badger backcourt, but Kentucky seems to have the edge here.

Prediction: Kentucky has been playing the best basketball in the tournament of any team, but I just have a hunch here about Wisconsin. The Badgers always seem to play better when they are the underdog and no one seems to be giving them a chance. Bo Ryan advances. Wisconsin 78 Kentucky 75.

Things I missed:

-More Final Four predictions here.

-Doug McDermott and Gregg Marshall took home AP honors yesterday. 

-Interesting story about an NFL cheerleader.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

Reach me at: award6344@gmail.com

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