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 Final Four Game on April 6, 2013 in Atlanta, GA;
Midwest #1 seed Louisville Cardinals (33-5) vs. West #9 seed Wichita State Shockers (30-8):
Preview: This game is definitely a Goliath vs. Cinderella game. Louisville the overall #1 seed is playing Cinderella #9 seed Wichita State. Louisville has looked like clearly the best team in college basketball for most of the season. They have also performed great in this tournament. Louisville is averaging 80.8 PPG in the tournament and beating teams by a average of 21.8 PPG. Wichita State has shocked many people by making to the Final Four. They will look to become the highest seed ever to make the National Championship game. They defeated #1 seed Gonzaga in the 3rd round and #2 seed Ohio State in the Elite Eight to advance to this Final Four. Wichita State has won but in most more closer games than Louisville. It will be interested to see Gorgui Dieng from Louisville and Carl Hall from Wichita State do battle on the block. The 2 teams have so close numbers as well. Louisville dominates in scoring and assists but Wichita State is pretty close in everything else. Louisville averages 73.4 PPG and Wichita State averages 69.4 PPG. Louisville averages 37.5 RPG and Wichita State averages 38.4 RPG. Louisville averages 15.0 APG and Wichita State averages 13.8 APG. Also Louisville shoots 44.5% and Wichita State shoots 44.3%.
Prediction: This game will probably be close than most people think. Although I think Louisville should easily take care of Wichita State. Louisville and Wichita State match up even on the post but Louisville has far superior guards with Russ Smith and Peyton Siva. Also Louisville's defense will probably be too much for Wichita State. Wichita State struggles with turnovers and if they do in the game Louisville is great in transition and will eat Wichita State up here. I still expect the game to be competitive but I don't see how Wichita State could pull another upset. I think Louisville wins in a somewhat close game and advances to their first National Championship game since 1986.
Final Score: Louisville 76, Wichita State 70.
Second Final Four Game on April 6, 2013 in Atlanta, GA;
South #4 seed Michigan Wolverines (30-7) vs. East #4 seed Syracuse Orange (30-9):
Preview: Unlike the first national semi-final this game is extremely close. Any teams could easy win this game and it is so hard to decide who will win this game. This is also the first time in the NCAA Basketball Tournament that two #4 seed have played each other. This game also has many future NBA players in it. Michigan has looked very good in this tournament. They are led by Trey Burke, the National Player of the Year, and he is on fire. Michigan is averaging 78.8 PPG in the tournament and beating teams by a average of 15.5 PPG and has won by 15+ in all their games except in the Sweet Sixteen when they won by 2 over Kansas. Syracuse's 2-3 zone is just destroying teams and making them wonder in the world do you break that zone. Syrcuse has also peformed very well in this tournament. Syracuse is averaging 65.8 PPG, only allowing 45.8 PPG and winning by a average of 20.0 PPG with 3 of the 4 wins by 10 or more. They also held two of the teams they played to under 40 points. They also held Marquette to 39 points which was a Elite Eight record for lowest points scored in the shot clock era. It will be interested to see if Syracuse's zone can slow Trey Burke and the Wolverines. It will be very fun to see Trey Burke of Michigan battle Michael Carter-Williams of Syracuse. The 2 teams have very close numbers besides field goal percent and rebounding. Michigan dominates in field goal percent and Syracuse is great on the boards. Michigan averages 75.2 PPG and Syracuse averages 71.3 PPG. Michigan averages 35.1 RPG and Syracuse averages 38.7 RPG. Michigan averages 14.3 APG and Syracuse averages 14.5 APG. Also Michigan shoots 48.4% and Syracuse shoots 44.0%.
Prediction: These teams are so close like I said before. Both teams have very talented point guards and it will be fun to see who performs better in the spotlight. Michigan lack of experience combined with Syracuse's great rebounding and zone I see Syracuse winning in a very close game. I expect this to be very entertaining and come down to the final minutes. I be surprised to see the game go into overtime and we might even see several overtimes. I think Syracuse wins and advances to their first National Championship game since 2003.
Final Score: Syracuse 81, Michigan 78; OT.
2013 NCAA National Championship Game on April 8, 2013 in Atlanta, GA;
Midwest #1 seed Louisville Cardinals (34-5) vs. East #4 seed Syracuse Orange (31-9):
Preview: This game would be extremely close. This would also be the third time these two teams meet this season. Louisville won both games this season. They won by 5 on the road and won by 17 at home. It will be interested to see if Syracuse's zone can slow the Cardinals on the third time around. This game also has many future NBA players in it. It will be very interesting to see Russ Smith and Peyton Siva of Louisville go against Michael Carter-Williams of Syracuse on the biggest stage. It will also be interest to see if Louisville can rebound well vs. Syracuse since they are very good on the boards. I expect since this game is on a neutral site to see this game be very tight. The 2 teams have pretty close numbers neither teams has a huge advantage in any stat. Louisville averages 73.6 PPG and Syracuse averages 71.3 PPG. Louisville averages 37.5 RPG and Syracuse averages 38.7 RPG. Louisville averages 15.0 APG and Syracuse averages 14.5 APG. Also Louisville shoots 44.5% and Syracuse shoots 44.0%.
Prediction: I could to keep with the trend of the first two games played between these teams. I think Russ Smith will continue to score like he has in the tournament a finally defeated Syracuse's zone. I would be shocked tough if Syracuse was able to pull the upset and win. I just think Louisville is just to dominate to be beat and will claim this year National Championship. I think Louisville wins in a close game, they improve to 3-0 in National Title games and claim their 3rd National Championship in school history and first since 1986.
Final Score: Louisville 77, Syracuse 73.
2013 NCAA National Basketball Champions:
Louisville Cardinals (35-5)
2013 NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player:
Russ Smith from Louisville
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