Photo Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty
The stage is set and the Final 4 teams have reached their final destination in North Texas.
No.1 Florida will battle No. 7 Connecticut
The Florida Gators are winners of 30 straight games and their last loss just so happens to have come at the hands of UConn. Led by their seniors, the Gators have played phenomenal defense in the tournament holding their opponents to just 55 points per game.
Florida is also the only team that the majority of people expected to be at the Final 4. Their road began with relatively easy wins over No. 16 Albany and No. 9 Pittsburgh before facing tough games against No. 4 UCLA and No. 11 Dayton.
Their opponent, Connecticut has been a huge surprise in the tourney and are being carried by the outstanding play of Shabazz Napier. At 30-8, this is no average team. The Huskies have shown they are a tough, resilient bunch who have been living on the edge the entire tournament.
The Huskies won in OT against No. 10 St. Joseph’s and then knocked of No. 2 Villanova before winning in thrillers against No. 3 Iowa State and tournament favorite No. 4 Michigan State.
No. 2 Wisconsin will take on No. 8 Kentucky
Meanwhile, Kentucky has turned it up and made it count when it matters. They are playing their best basketball at the right time and have had the toughest path of the remaining four teams. Their freshman have grown up before our eyes, particularly Julius Randle and the Harrison twins.
Every game the Wildcats have played has been a nail bitter. After beating No. 9 Kansas State they faced three of the four Final 4 teams from 2013. They knocked off No. 1 Wichita State, No. 4 Louisville and Aaron Harrison hit the shot of the tournament to stun No. 2 Michigan.
Wisconsin will have the next crack at them. Led by Frank Kaminsky and their great shooting, no one has been able to figure out the Badgers thus far.
After blowing out No. 15 American, the Badgers took down No. 7 Oregon and No. 6 Baylor before winning in OT against No. 1 Arizona.
Connecticut Vs. Florida
For UConn to win, they need Napier to continue his superb tear. He has been averaging 23.3 PPG in the tourney. Getting to the line has also been their strength all tourney long.
For Florida to win, they need to continue to play suffocating defense and for Scottie Wilbekin to lead them.
Kentucky Vs. Wisconsin
For Kentucky to win, they will need to contain Kaminsky who is putting up 18.5 PPG and grabbing 6.0 rebounds and also to trust in their stars that got them there.
For Wisconsin to win, Kaminsky will need to continue to carry them. They beat Arizona by preventing easy baskets and will need to do the same against Kentucky.
