Kentucky has it all. They have Demarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson and of course John Wall. Four players on the roster are listed as potential lottery picks in this summer's draft.
Kansas has been here before. They won a tittle two years ago and are coached by a legend in the making Bill Self. With a roster dominated of experienced upperclassmen many believe they will take another title.
However, I'm not buying into it. Ever since West Virginia's opening win in the Big East Tournament i have liked them to make a run to the NCAA's Final Four. West Virgina has the ability to close out games, create match ups and play defense; all of which are essential in tournament play.
Led by Senior Forward Da'Sean Butler, West Virgina is 7-0 on neutral courts having won the 76 Anaheim Classic and the Big East Tournament. Bob Huggins knows how to prepare his team to play in a tournament type atmosphere which is key to winning post season games.
Another factor to like about West Virginia is they don't play a normal system like other schools. Many teams in college basketball are running 3 and 4 guard lineups where as Huggins line up consists of 4 forwards.
One of those forwards, Sophomore Devin Ebanks, has the most potential out of any forward in the tournament. Ebanks is not the focal point of the Mountaineers offense, but is athletic enough to make plays when needed. Along with his scoring potential Ebanks can run the floor, block shots and make steals.
As of now, West Virginia is one of the hottest teams in the land. By not landing a number-1 seed there should be plenty of motivation for a team who has knocked of the likes of Ohio State, Villanova and Georgetown this season.
Not receiving a number 1-seed for the Mountaineers, would be the equivalent to Alabama winning the SEC Championship in football and not being called one of the top-4 teams in the nation. Many bracket analysts have overlooked West Virgina, but I'm taking them to the championship game for the first time since 1959.
Ebanks could be key to a Final Four run
A. Ivins likes:
Florida over BYU, Old Dominion over Notre Shame in "wasn't the Irish a bubble team 3 weeks ago, now there a 6-seed?" Villanova over Robert Morris, Vandy over Murray State in a close "almost" upset special, Northern Iowa over UNLV, Kansas State over North Texas's Mean Green, Baylor big over Sam Houston State, Richmond Spiders over Saint Mary's in a good mid-major battle, UTEP over Butler in Upset Special 1, Washington over Marquette in Upset Special Dos, Georgetown destroying Ohio, Kentucky over ETSU in a game that UK could win with 4 players, Kansas over Lehigh, Tennessee over San Diego State, New Mexico over Montana and Texas over Wake Forest.
A. Ivins Final Four- Kansas, West Virginia, Baylor, Syracuse
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