2012 NCAA Final Four Predictions & Preview

This is the last follow up post about my revised picks for the Final Four and National Championship Game. I will give my opinion on the teams and give you a score and reason I picked the team for all 3 Final Four games.

First 2012 Final Four Game on March 31, 2012 in New Orleans, LA; 

East #2 seed Ohio State Buckeyes (31-7) vs. Midwest #2 seed Kansas Jayhawks (31-6):

Preview: Both of the teams have great centers and they have very similar stats. Jared Sullinger from Ohio State averages 17.6 PPG and Thomas Robinson from Kansas averages 17.9 PPG. Sullinger shoots 53.9% and Robinson shoots 53.1%. The only big difference is Robinson averages 11.8 RPG and Sullinger only averages 9.3 RPG. The 2 teams also have very close numbers as well. Ohio State averages 75.1 PPG and Kansas averages 75.0 PPG. Ohio State averages 36.8 RPG and Kansas averages 36.9 RPG. Ohio State averages 15.2 APG and Kansas averages 15.6 APG. Also Ohio State shoots 48.6% and Kansas shoots 48.5%. The two teams did play each other on December 10th but that was a long time ago and Jared Sullinger didn't play because he was hurt and it was played at Kansas' home court which is a huge advantage because they have only loss once since the 2007-2008 season at home. Kansas won that game 78 to 67. 

Prediction: Since the game is on a neutral court, Jared Sullinger will play and both teams are so similar this game should be very close. I believe Thomas Robinson and Jared Sullinger will battle down low and both be evenly matched. Tyshawn Taylor from Kansas and Aaron Craft from Ohio State should also be interesting to watch with both of them being very good point guards. With the help of Deshaun Thomas from Ohio State, I think Ohio State wins in a very close game. I think Ohio State play in the  National Championship game for the first time since 2007.

Final Score: Ohio State 71, Kansas 68.  

Second 2012 Final Four Game on March 31, 2012 in New Orleans, LA; 

South #1 seed Kentucky Wildcats (36-2) vs. West #4 seed Louisville Cardinals (30-9):

 

Preview: This game will be fun to watch because it is the first time since 1962 that 2 teams from the same state play each other in the National Semi-Finals or National Championship game. Kentucky is clearly the best team in college basketball and much better than Louisville. Kentucky averages 77.1 PPG and Louisville only averages 68.8 PPG. Kentucky averages 39.2 RPG and Louisville only averages 38.2 RPG. Kentucky shoots 48.7% and Louisville only shoots 42.5%. Louisville does remind me a lot of UConn for last year. UConn won 5 games in 5 days to win the Big East Tournament and went into the NCAA Tournament as a team very doubtful to win and won it all. Louisville also won the Big East Tournament winning 4 games in 4 days and most people thought Michigan State was going to easily win the West Region. Kentucky and Louisville did player in the regular season. Kentucky won 69 to 62, it was at Kentucky which is a big reason Kentucky since they have never lost at home under Coach Calipari. 

Prediction: I believe that Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist are too good and will be too tough for Louisville to beat. Louisville is a good team and wouldn't shock me if they pulled the upset but I think Kentucky is just to good to be stopped. I think Kentucky wins in a somewhat close game and advances to their first National Championship game since 1998. 

Final Score: Kentucky 74, Louisville 67.

2012 NCAA National Championship Game on April 2, 2012 in New Orleans, LA; 

South #1 seed Kentucky Wildcats (37-2) vs. East #2 seed Ohio State Buckeyes (32-7):

Preview: Both of the teams have great centers and point guards. Anthony Davis and Marquis Teague from Kentucky and Jared Sullinger and Aaron Craft from Ohio State. Kentucky and Ohio State both have similar stats with Kentucky just barely better ones. Kentucky averages 77.1 PPG compared to Ohio State who averages 75.1 PPG. Kentucky averages 39.2 RPG compared to Ohio State who averages 36.8 RPG. Kentucky shoots 48.7% compared to Ohio State who shoots 48.6%. Both teams are very talented and both have many future NBA players. I still believe the Kentucky is the best team in the National with the best players as well in Anthony Davis that is why Kentucky as the slight edge in this game. 

Prediction: I believe with Anthony Davis great defense skills and blocking shots ability with the  extra inch he has on Jared Sullinger, Davis will slow down Sullinger. Also Aaron Craft is a good player but Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is just too good for Craft and Ohio State to control. The game should be competitive but Kentucky should win in a somewhat close game. With the win Kentucky will win their 8th National Title and first since 1998. 

Final Score: Kentucky 77, Ohio State 72.   

2012 NCAA National Basketball Champions: 

Kentucky Wildcats (38-2)
 2012 NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player:
Anthony Davis from Kentucky