Breaking down this year's Final Four

By Trent Warren 

Unlike last year’s Final Four, every team this year is a four seed or higher. Not to mention, all four of these teams (Louisville, Kentucky, Kansas, and Ohio State) have something special about them. Here is a little breakdown on what to expect, along with my picks for this year’s Final Four.

Game #1: Louisville vs. Kentcuky

Louisville Cardinals

No. 4 Louisville is the lowest seed out of the bunch and probably the weakest team, however a very strong team, too. Team is italicized because that is exactly the way they play. They play as a unit.

Louisville doesn’t necessarily have any star players such as Ohio State or Kansas but rather a group of team guys that play with a lot of heart.

Coming off a lackluster regular season ending, losing four out of their last six regular season games, Louisville appeared as if their season was doomed.

However, the Cardinals made a statement winning the Big East Tournament, which is arguably the hardest conference tournament to win. That momentum has carried over to the big dance.

Notable wins include New Mexico, a very underrated and great shooting team, number one ranked Michigan State, and a Florida team that was on a tournament hot streak, ready to upset the Cardinal’s Final Four dreams.

However, Louisville sparked up an incredible 25-10 run to finish the game, all thanks to great performances by guard Russ Smith and freshman forward Chane Behanan, 19 and 17 points respectively.

If Louisville can come with this same intensity and have great play by their star players, Chane Behanan, Russ Smith, and Peyton Siva, then they have a chance. Unfortunately, they’ll be going up against number one ranked Kentucky, who too plays great team ball.

Kentucky Wildcats

We all know that head coach John Calipari is a fantastic recruiter. He consistently has the top recruiting class each and every year. Yet, he has never won the national title.

Could this be the year he does it? Yes.

The Wildcats are stacked. Finishing their season at 36-2, the Wildcats revolve around All-American center Anthony Davis. Projected by some as the top pick in the 2012 NBA draft, Davis, or “Unibrow” as some like to call him, is as athletic as they come. Look for Davis to go up against shot blocking Louisville center Gorgui Dieng, making a great defensive match up.

And yes, despite a knee injury against Baylor in the Elite Eight, Davis is good to go sources report.

Kentucky’s main strength is their depth thanks to their other great freshmen class recruits: Marquise Teague, Kyle Wiltjer, and Michael Gilchrist.

The Wildcats pose threats at every position and create too many mismatches for the Cardinals and that is why the Wildcats will win the battle of Kentucky.

Final score: Kentucky over Louisville 70-60.

Game #2: Ohio State vs. Kansas

Ohio State Buckeyes

In what appears to be a more intriguing matchup in this year’s Final Four, Ohio State will have their hands full against a red-hot Kansas Jayhawks team.

A slow start to the season and plagued with a chronic injury, Jared Sullinger is what you first think of when you hear “Ohio State basketball.” Six foot-nine and 265 pounds of brick, Sullinger will be up against seven foot but “only” 235 pound Jeff Withey. Look for Sullinger to exploit this muscle difference while in the post.

Ohio State also needs great play from William Buford and Deshaun Thomas. Both players know how to put the ball in the basket and will need to in this potential high scorer against the Jayhawks.

Ohio State will need to be physical with Kansas and get themselves to the free throw line. Craft, Sullinger, Buford, and Thomas all shoot over 70% on the line, whereas free throws are something Kansas struggles with.

Consequentially, this game potentially can be decided on who shoots a better free throw percentage. The game could go either way depending on which team can handle the pressure at the foul line.

Kansas Jayhawks

The Kansas Jayhawks are led by studs Tyshawn Taylor, Jeff Withey and Thomas Robinson.

Coming off three poor showings early in the tournament, Taylor needed to step up against No. 1 North Carolina. He did so in fashion, racking up 22 points, going 10-19 and shooting 52% from the field.

Taylor is going to need to keep the intensity for the rest of the tournament if he wants to give the Jayhawks a chance at the national championship. He played well during the Elite Eight but that was without Kendall Marshall guarding him due to injury. Tyshawn Taylor will be the X factor for the Jayhawks in this game.

Jeff Withey, a San Diego native (an inside joke for the friends back in Eugene), played a vital role in the victory against North Carolina.

Withey had two important blocks late in the game that put the dagger in the heart of the Tar Heels. He also added 15 points in the victory.

Seven foot Withey is a huge defensive and rebounding machine that the Hawks continually rely on. They will need him to slow down Ohio State’s monster Jared Sullinger.

The behemoth, Thomas Robinson, has been having an All-American season. No one predicted him to have a quite a season like he has been. Another possible future top NBA draft pick, Robinson too could be used to match up against Sullinger.

Robinson can do it all. A physical rebounder and scorer in the paint, I am curious to see how he does against Sullinger. This will be a good game for Robinson to show what he can do against Jared Sullinger. You know the NBA scouts will be watching.

As said earlier, this game is a toss up, but my gut says Kansas wins in a very, very close game.

Final score: Kansas over Ohio State 78-77.