Archive for April 2nd, 2012

WATERCOOLER CHAT: KENTUCKY VS KANSAS IN CHAMPIONSHIP, BAYLOR VS ND IN WOMEN’S FINAL

What a weekend it was in college basketball, as the Final Four was finally upon us:

First up, it was the much-anticipated match-up between  Rick Pitino and the Louisville Cardinals against his old team, the Kentucky Wildcats.  At this point, many people were saying that this may be the best Kentucky team ever, if not the best college basketball team ever (however, given that they are mostly all freshman, it’s unlikely).  Kentucky’s starting 5 boasts 5 first round NBA draft picks, including Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who will most likely go #1 and #2 in the draft.  Kentucky jumped out to a big lead early, and it didn’t even look like a fair fight.  Kentucky was just so much bigger than Louisville.  But, the Cardinals had a never-say-die attitude, and made it a tie game with just 5 minutes to go.  And when that happens, it’s anybody’s game.  Problem is, Kentucky was just too athletic, and Louisville too nervous.  The Wildcats were able to pull away again, and Louisville couldn’t catch up.  The Wildcats are headed to the National Championship.  Kentucky 69, Louisville 61.

Next up it was #2 Ohio State vs. #2 Kansas.  The Kentucky teams got the press all week, but this one had a chance for more of a memorable classic.  The key for Ohio State would need to be Jared Sullinger.  Sullinger had a decent first half, and his team kicked in to give the Buckeyes a 9-point halftime lead.  They looked in control.  But college basketball is about never-saying-never.  And that’s how Kansas was able to surge back in the second half, behind a monster 19 point/8 rebound night from Thomas Robinson (probably the #3 or #4 pick in the draft).  And, at the end, the Kansas Jayhawks found themselves in a position to win, just needed some clutch free throw shooting from Tyshawn Taylor.  And, they got it, as Taylor hit two big free throws to seal the game and send the Jayhawks to the championship.  So it’ll be Kentucky vs. Kansas for the championship Monday night on CBS — two of the most storied programs in college basketball.  If Kentucky loses, it will be one of the all-time biggest upsets given their Goliath status.  Kansas 64, Ohio State 62.

Finally, women’s college basketball had their own final four this weekend, a battle between ALL the #1 seeds.  First, Notre Dame and UCONN had a neck-and-neck battle that would require an overtime.  But, in OT, UConn came up short, and thanks to Notre Dame’s Novosel’s strong performance (20 points and 7 rebounds), the Irish are headed to the National Championship.  And in the second game of the Final Four it was Brittney Griner and Baylor vs. Stanford.  Baylor is undefeated with Griner, and they had no intention of losing Sunday night.  Griner had 13 points and 9 rebounds, as they moved to 39-0 and move on to face the Irish.  Again, a win by the Irish would be a HUGE upset.  Baylor 59, Stanford 47 — Notre Dame 83, UConn 75.

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