NCAA Tournament Preview: Final Four

So I have my picks, and I'm a bit scared. Normally I waver back and forth a lot, but I feel pretty good about this year's selections. Either this means my bracket will be amazing, or it will be terrible and I'll look like an idiot. In either case, you'll have to listen to me blab on, so deal with it. Here's my Final Four outlook:

Kansas vs. Kansas State: Interesting Final Four matchup, given these teams have already played three times. Rather than go through an analysis, I'm just going to say what happened in the previous three games:

Jan. 30th: Five guys score in double figures for KU and the Jayhawks shoot 50% in what was a closely contested battle with Sherron Collins hitting a lay-up with 10 seconds left to give KU a 81-79 victory.

March 3rd: No one other than Pullen and Clemente show up for K-State, and Kansas shoots 51% with 16 assists on 26 made baskets for a relatively easy 82-65 win.

Saturday: Kansas holds K-State to 34% shooting and they don't lead by less than 14 over the final 13 minutes to win 72-64 and take the Big 12 tournament.

Most times, people say the reason it's difficult to sweep a team is because they've seen you so many times (doesn't that work the other way) and the other team is more motivated to win than you. But if you can't get motivated for a Final Four game, why are you there? And outside of the 1st game, Kansas really seems to know how to shut down K-State. I have no reason to pick against the Jayhawks.

Score: Kansas 80, Kansas State 71

West Virginia vs. Baylor: What an odd matchup. Let's look at each team's weaknesses. The main things I saw about West Virginia is they don't have a solid PG and they're undersized at the 5. Baylor can exploit both matchups. However, I like West Virginia here. Here's why:

1. Rebounding. West Virginia is an excellent offensive rebounding team. Baylor, for it's size, gives up a fair amount of 2nd chance boards. Not a good sign.

2. Turnovers. Baylor has been turnover-prone at times this season, meaning more possessions for West Virginia.

3. Foul shooting. Not really bad, just lack of it. Many of Baylor's top scorers are not guys that get to the line consistently, and that adds an element of inconsistency for an offensive. Baylor has been excellent offensively all year long, but against a tough, physical defense, you don't want to be shooting perimeter jumpers all night long.

Also, Desean Butler. Had to get that in here somewhere.

Score: West Virginia 65, Baylor 61

FINALS: Kansas vs. West Virginia

This is a pretty easy pick for me. Not saying West Virginia can't hang with Kansas. However, KU just does too many things too well. They're so versatile offensively... they can play fast or slow, they can score inside or outside, they can get to the foul line, they hit the offensive glass pretty well... it's such a difficult team to slow down. Plus, West Virginia will likely have to be on their game offensively for 40 minutes... not one of their strong suits. I predict that Kansas will take out West Virginia (or whoever else is in that spot, for that matter) and will be your 2009-2010 NCAA Champs.

Score: Kansas 78, West Virginia 64