Final Four: Predictions and Analysis by Lauren Beasley
I love this time of year, this is what March Madness is all about, four teams giving it their all too ultimately make it to the big game, the National Championship Game.
Louisville vs. Kentucky Analysis
First we have Louisville vs. Kentucky. Now obviously Kentucky Wildcats are the favorites in this game, I mean let’s be real this is the team everybody picked to win it all since the beginning of the season. I have to say I agree. I am not the biggest fan of Kentucky, but I honestly believe they are the better team in this game.
For Kentucky it all starts with Marquis Teague’s play. He must play well, especially against a good guard like Peyton Siva who is quick both offensively and defensively. When Teague plays well as far as an assist to turnover ratio and even hits a couple shots, Kentucky truly is unstoppable.
Terrance Jones and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist I believe will be huge in this game. Defensively I think they will cause issues in the passing lanes and in the post. Offensively they will be a force as well. Terrance Jones should be able to use his great athleticism, strength and quickness to get to the rim, and then he always has the option to take a nice pull up jump shot. Then you have Gilchrist who in my opinion is Mr. Hustle on the team. He will do well on the boards; I anticipate he will make some things happen in transition offensively as well.
Doron Lamb I anticipate could possibly get into some foul trouble because defensively he tends to make bad decisions, but other than that I’m sure he will shoot well and also take it to the rim and try to make contact and create foul trouble for Louisville.
Darius Miller is the person I would call the X-Factor for the main fact that he is the only senior on the team, which is a significant role. He has had the pleasure of playing with great talent and the torture of never winning a national championship. His experience and lead by example leadership will need to continue in this game. Miller also does a lot of the dirty work for the Wildcats such as diving for loose balls, getting the tough rebounds and etc.
Of course I couldn’t leave out freshman phenom Anthony Davis, as usual he will have a huge impact on Kentucky winning or losing. Defensively he will continue to make things harder for players who are bold enough to penetrate into the paint. Offensively I don’t think anybody on Louisville will be check him, he is too long and elusive in the post and then he always has the nice jump shot he can pull out at any time.
Now with Louisville, the main thing they have on their side is momentum, they are coming off upsetting Michigan State and Florida, and anybody who knows sports especially basketball knows that momentum can be a powerful thing.
Louisville will need good games if not great games from their two leading scorers Kyle Kuric and Russ Smith. Both can score the ball well. Kuric and Smith definitely needs to make sure they take smart shots in this game; they can’t afford to take to many bad shots.
Chane Benhnan and Gorgui Dieng will need to be huge on the boards for Louisville to have a true chance. They are leading rebounders on this team and it won’t be easy to box out Terrance Jones, Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd – Gilchrist.
Of course Peyton Siva needs to play under control and stay coachable for Louisville. He brings intensity to games like this but they key is for him to remain under control and not get caught up in the intensity of the moment.
Overall this game could come down to rebounds and defense. Both are good defensive teams and both are in the Top 25 when it comes to rebounds per game. However when push comes to shove I don’t believe Louisville will win, Kentucky has too much talent.
Ohio State vs. Kansas Analysis
Personally this is the game that I am looking forward to watching the most. This game is truly up for grabs. Kansas and Ohio State are two teams that most people didn’t believe to be here, but they are. In this game I personally believe Kansas is going to win.
Kansas has the experience on their back and they have a chip on their shoulder trying to make up for the last couple of NCAA Tournament appearances.
I believe Tyshawn Taylor will be the x-factor in this game, scoring wise he has had his struggles but when his teams needs him, he has come up big making the right play whether it’s a pass or shot. Defensively he has been impressive. Taylor’s main goal should be to take care of the ball, I expect Aaron Craft of OSU, to crowd him and Taylor must remain under control and make smart decisions.
Elijah Johnson and Travis Redford need to continue to be the utility men on this team, continue to rebound, get loose balls, etc. and score when needed. Other than that they both will need to excel defensively because defensively they both have tough matchups.
Jeff Withey need to help cause havoc defensively in the paint and cause issue with his great length. Offensively he may be able to get some easy buckets, due to his height advantage and elusiveness.
Lastly but definitely not least the big man on campus Thomas Robinson. I honestly believe he will once again be the reason they win this game if he stays out of foul trouble. I don’t believe Ohio State has anyway to contain him offensively or defensively. I also expect him to do well on the boards.
Now Ohio State does have a great chance to pull this win off, starting off with a good start at the beginning of the game.
Aaron Craft will be huge in this game both offensively and defensively. He will need to do his usual as far taking good shots but he needs to make sure that he finishes especially around the basket. Defensively his role is even more important he will need to shut down Tyshawn Taylor which won’t be an easy task.
Lenzelle Smith Jr. is Mr. Hustle on this team in my opinion, he needs to continue to fill that role in this game by rebounding, going for loose balls and earning tough offensive put backs.
William Bradford is the only senior leader on this team and I believe for OSU to even come close he will have to play well on both sides of the court and be a leader in the huddle & the locker room. He is pure scorer but he needs to choose his shots wisely and not force anything. Defensively he should be able to make some things happen in the lane or in help side due to his long arms.
Lastly we have Jared Sullinger and Deshaun Thomas who generally combine for 33 points and 14 rebounds in games. I hope I am wrong but I could see Sullinger struggling in this game against the great strength and size of Robinson and Withey. He will have to remain focused and not get rattled and mainly be patient. As for Deshaun Thomas I think he will be the X-Factor in this game. I don’t believe anybody on Kansas roster can check him, he is to versatile, if they put a guard on him he will over power them and if they put a wing on him he will use his speed and elusiveness to pass them and get to the rim. Thomas’s play along with Sullinger will be the X-Factors in the game.
Overall as I said before I believe this is anybody’s game. Both teams have past experience, great coaches, senior leadership, momentum and both are capable of beating each other. However I honestly believe Kansas will win this game, I believe Robinson will play well on both sides of the court and I also believe Taylor will come up big in the end.
I love March Madness! I love the Final Four! I can’t wait to see who will make it to the National Championship Game! Let the Madness Begin!
Louisville vs. Kentucky Analysis
First we have Louisville vs. Kentucky. Now obviously Kentucky Wildcats are the favorites in this game, I mean let’s be real this is the team everybody picked to win it all since the beginning of the season. I have to say I agree. I am not the biggest fan of Kentucky, but I honestly believe they are the better team in this game.
For Kentucky it all starts with Marquis Teague’s play. He must play well, especially against a good guard like Peyton Siva who is quick both offensively and defensively. When Teague plays well as far as an assist to turnover ratio and even hits a couple shots, Kentucky truly is unstoppable.
Terrance Jones and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist I believe will be huge in this game. Defensively I think they will cause issues in the passing lanes and in the post. Offensively they will be a force as well. Terrance Jones should be able to use his great athleticism, strength and quickness to get to the rim, and then he always has the option to take a nice pull up jump shot. Then you have Gilchrist who in my opinion is Mr. Hustle on the team. He will do well on the boards; I anticipate he will make some things happen in transition offensively as well.
Doron Lamb I anticipate could possibly get into some foul trouble because defensively he tends to make bad decisions, but other than that I’m sure he will shoot well and also take it to the rim and try to make contact and create foul trouble for Louisville.
Darius Miller is the person I would call the X-Factor for the main fact that he is the only senior on the team, which is a significant role. He has had the pleasure of playing with great talent and the torture of never winning a national championship. His experience and lead by example leadership will need to continue in this game. Miller also does a lot of the dirty work for the Wildcats such as diving for loose balls, getting the tough rebounds and etc.
Of course I couldn’t leave out freshman phenom Anthony Davis, as usual he will have a huge impact on Kentucky winning or losing. Defensively he will continue to make things harder for players who are bold enough to penetrate into the paint. Offensively I don’t think anybody on Louisville will be check him, he is too long and elusive in the post and then he always has the nice jump shot he can pull out at any time.
Now with Louisville, the main thing they have on their side is momentum, they are coming off upsetting Michigan State and Florida, and anybody who knows sports especially basketball knows that momentum can be a powerful thing.
Louisville will need good games if not great games from their two leading scorers Kyle Kuric and Russ Smith. Both can score the ball well. Kuric and Smith definitely needs to make sure they take smart shots in this game; they can’t afford to take to many bad shots.
Chane Benhnan and Gorgui Dieng will need to be huge on the boards for Louisville to have a true chance. They are leading rebounders on this team and it won’t be easy to box out Terrance Jones, Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd – Gilchrist.
Of course Peyton Siva needs to play under control and stay coachable for Louisville. He brings intensity to games like this but they key is for him to remain under control and not get caught up in the intensity of the moment.
Overall this game could come down to rebounds and defense. Both are good defensive teams and both are in the Top 25 when it comes to rebounds per game. However when push comes to shove I don’t believe Louisville will win, Kentucky has too much talent.
Ohio State vs. Kansas Analysis
Personally this is the game that I am looking forward to watching the most. This game is truly up for grabs. Kansas and Ohio State are two teams that most people didn’t believe to be here, but they are. In this game I personally believe Kansas is going to win.
Kansas has the experience on their back and they have a chip on their shoulder trying to make up for the last couple of NCAA Tournament appearances.
I believe Tyshawn Taylor will be the x-factor in this game, scoring wise he has had his struggles but when his teams needs him, he has come up big making the right play whether it’s a pass or shot. Defensively he has been impressive. Taylor’s main goal should be to take care of the ball, I expect Aaron Craft of OSU, to crowd him and Taylor must remain under control and make smart decisions.
Elijah Johnson and Travis Redford need to continue to be the utility men on this team, continue to rebound, get loose balls, etc. and score when needed. Other than that they both will need to excel defensively because defensively they both have tough matchups.
Jeff Withey need to help cause havoc defensively in the paint and cause issue with his great length. Offensively he may be able to get some easy buckets, due to his height advantage and elusiveness.
Lastly but definitely not least the big man on campus Thomas Robinson. I honestly believe he will once again be the reason they win this game if he stays out of foul trouble. I don’t believe Ohio State has anyway to contain him offensively or defensively. I also expect him to do well on the boards.
Now Ohio State does have a great chance to pull this win off, starting off with a good start at the beginning of the game.
Aaron Craft will be huge in this game both offensively and defensively. He will need to do his usual as far taking good shots but he needs to make sure that he finishes especially around the basket. Defensively his role is even more important he will need to shut down Tyshawn Taylor which won’t be an easy task.
Lenzelle Smith Jr. is Mr. Hustle on this team in my opinion, he needs to continue to fill that role in this game by rebounding, going for loose balls and earning tough offensive put backs.
William Bradford is the only senior leader on this team and I believe for OSU to even come close he will have to play well on both sides of the court and be a leader in the huddle & the locker room. He is pure scorer but he needs to choose his shots wisely and not force anything. Defensively he should be able to make some things happen in the lane or in help side due to his long arms.
Lastly we have Jared Sullinger and Deshaun Thomas who generally combine for 33 points and 14 rebounds in games. I hope I am wrong but I could see Sullinger struggling in this game against the great strength and size of Robinson and Withey. He will have to remain focused and not get rattled and mainly be patient. As for Deshaun Thomas I think he will be the X-Factor in this game. I don’t believe anybody on Kansas roster can check him, he is to versatile, if they put a guard on him he will over power them and if they put a wing on him he will use his speed and elusiveness to pass them and get to the rim. Thomas’s play along with Sullinger will be the X-Factors in the game.
Overall as I said before I believe this is anybody’s game. Both teams have past experience, great coaches, senior leadership, momentum and both are capable of beating each other. However I honestly believe Kansas will win this game, I believe Robinson will play well on both sides of the court and I also believe Taylor will come up big in the end.
I love March Madness! I love the Final Four! I can’t wait to see who will make it to the National Championship Game! Let the Madness Begin!