Fantastic Four

After the first round of the NCAA tournament many people complained that there were no upsets, everything went "chalk" and this was going to be the most boring tournament in years. Then during the sweet sixteen and elite eight we were given some very exciting games (Villanova vs. Pitt and Kansas vs. Michigan St.) and the teams that are moving on to Detroit for the Final Four have definately played the best during the tournament. Here is an early preview of what we can expect next weekend in Motown...

Michigan St. vs. UCONN

Michigan St. went and beat last years champion Kansas and the vaunted Big East champion and overall number one seed Louisville Cardinals during a two day spree. Led by sharp shooting, rebounding and the good coaching of Tom Izzo they have played consistently and will be a tough game for another Big East team, the UCONN Huskies.

The Huskies led by freshamn Kemba Walker and future NBA centre Hasheem Thabeet are a physical team that control the boards and have the ability to make the big shots when they are called for. Although the team is going through some off-court turmoil they have so far managed to put the distraction behind them and have turned in the performance many expected from the squad.

Look for the both teams to play lock down defence, a big battle in the middle between the Spartans Goran Suton who had a great game in the Elite Eight and UConn's aforementioned Thabeet will be a determining factor. Many of the games in the tournament have come down to which team comes out firing and playing in their backyard of Ford Field, the MSU Spartans will take the early lead and hold off a late charge by the Huskies, booking their ticket to the Championship game.

Villanova vs. UNC

Is this 1985? Seeing the Villanova Wildcats in the final four, it sure does feel like it. The Wildcats get to play in Detroit based upon a victory of Big East rivals Pitt in the Elite Eight. 'Nova beat Pitt for the second time this season, demonstrating that the Big East really was that good from top to bottom. After seeing such strong competition during the regular season and during the tournament so far, Villanova won't be scared of who is waiting for them - the UNC Tar Heels.

The Tar Heels are making their record 18th appearance in the final four. Led by the returning player of the year Tyler Hansborough and super guard Ty Lawson, they have been playing inspired basketball. A deep team that can attack from anywhere on the court, the Tar Heels put an end to the hopes of a title of this year's player of the year Blake Griffin. Hansborough returned for one reason - to win a national title and cement himself as one of the best college players of all time. He is two games away from his dream.

Villanova will have the Detroit crowd behind it as they are the underdog team playing in the semi-finals, but that won't be enough to stop the Tar Heels as they roll into the finals. UNC has too many options for 'Nova to defend, whether it is Hansborough or Ellington or Lawson, the Tar Heels will put this game out of reach for Wildcats.

Well - that will leave Michigan State vs. UNC in the Finals. My early pick should this scenario play out would be UNC. Again, too many options, veteran players and the determination of Tyler Hansborough to win that title and cement himself as the greatest collegian ever.