NCAA 2012 Final Four Preview

#1 Kentucky v.s. #4 Louisville

This game is the perfect Final Four match-up because of the rivalry, Louisville v.s. Lexington. First off, Kentucky has played very well in their road to the Final Four. Kentucky beat teams such as: Western Kentucky, Iowa St., Indiana, and Baylor. The closest game that Kentucky played in this year’s NCAA Tournament had to be their Sweet 16 match-up against Indiana. The closest margin of victory for Kentucky in the tournament has been only twelve points. How do they constantly win by double-digit points? The answer to that question is their high-flying up-tempo style of play. Kentucky is the type of team that looks to push the ball quickly down the court in order to rush the defense of their opponent and not let them set up their defense properly. This up-tempo attack is performed as well as any team can because of the raw talent in which Kentucky contains. Terrence Jones, Doron Lamb, Anthony Davis, Marquis Teague, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist can at any point explode on the offense side of the ball and this attack is lead by freshman Anthony Davis. However, Louisville might be able to stop the high-flying Kentucky Wildcats.

Louisville is a completely different style team than Kentucky. While Kentucky loves to run the court, Louisville loves to slow the game down and run the shot clock for its full value. This might help Louisville hold Kentucky to their lowest scoring game of the NCAA Tournament, but I do not know if it can help them overcome the Kentucky Wildcats. In my opinion, Louisville is not a good enough shooting team to overcome the raw talent of their Kentucky opponent. Louisville is shooting only 43% on the season and with how well Kentucky rebounds I wonder how the Louisville offense will fair against the Kentucky defense. On top of that, if Louisville gets into a turnover rut then Kentucky will just have a feast day.

In the end, this game will come down to Louisville’s defense and if they can contain the Kentucky up-tempo offense. Louisville can force the steal. Louisville is averaging 8.5 steals per game this year. Can they do it? Can they hold down the Kentucky Wildcats enough to win this game? I’m saying No. Kentucky is just too dangerous and more athletic than their Louisville counterpart. Kentucky runs the floor better than anyone in this year’s NCAA Tournament. I believe Louisville will hold Kentucky under their average points per game, but in the end I have Kentucky winning this game.

#1 Kentucky 75, #4 Louisville 60