National Championship

We finally made it, the National Championship. We all witnessed a season of ups and downs with pretenders (Michigan St, Kansas St, Tennessee) and surprising contenders (North Carolina, Florida, Texas) constantly shifting spots in the top-25 up until early March. Conference championships came around and gave a few interesting stories, most notably UConn winning five straight games in five days to take home the Big East Championship after going just 9-9 in Big
East play during regular season play.

Finally we were awarded with an NCAA Tournament crazier than Charlie Sheen. This was the first year where there was a field of 68 teams instead of the typical 64. The drama started on selection Sunday when teams such as Colorado, Alabama, and Virginia Tech were snubbed for schools like VCU and Clemson. The upsets began early with Morehead State taking down Rick Pitino’s heavily favored Louisville squad and VCU knocking out a veteran led Georgetown team. The second round was equally as entertaining as Marquette took down Big East rival Syracuse, VCU toppled Purdue in an 18 point victory, Florida St bullied Notre Dame on their way to the Sweet 16 and a Arizona versus Texas game went down to the wire (A strange five second call that led to an Arizona and-one ultimately decided the game, in case you forgot). I know what you’re thinking and yes, I conveniently left out Butler knocking out number one seed Pittsburgh in the field of 32…So what!

The fun didn’t stop with the Sweet 16. UNC knocked off the tournament favorite in Ohio State, Duke was embarrassed by Arizona (I’m still smiling about that), Jimmer Fredette’s college career came to an end against Florida and VCU and UConn kept rolling. In the Elite Eight the surprisers, well, kept surprising. VCU knocked off the last number one seed remaining the Kansas Jayhawks, Butler took down Florida, Kentucky out shot UNC and UConn won again…Finally, the Final Four. If someone told me they had UConn, Butler, VCU and Kentucky in the Final Four I’d instantly call them a liar. To me it’s impossible. I don’t even think a computer could randomly simulate the tournament and come out with that Final Four. With all the hype of the two mid-major schools facing off against one another and then two storied coaches in coach John Calipari and coach Jim Calhoun going to battle, the Final Four was rather entertaining. Ultimately, UConn and Butler prevailed in two very entertaining games.

Random fact…Only in the 1980, 2006, and 2011 seasons has there been no number one seeds in the Final Four.

So that brings us to tonight, the National Championship. There are two interesting stories to note. One, UConn is thought of as a storied basketball school but they haven’t been to a Final Four since 2004. Two, Butler is returning to the National Championship for the second consecutive year. That is something that doesn’t happen very often. In fact the last time that happened was when Florida won back-to-back National Championships in 2006 and 2007. Before that no one made it to two consecutive National Championships since Kentucky made it three consecutive years in the late 90’s.

UConn has been somewhat of an underdog all season. They have a young team, led by junior sensation Kemba Walker. Like most people I wrote Butler off this season after their star last year Gordon Heyward left for the NBA. Little did I know, that team was a lot more talented and well-rounded than I thought. Just like last year they flew under the radar and entered the tournament being overlooked. The story was a little different but the outcome was about the same, they are back in the big game. So with two unexpected teams in the title game, who is the favorite? Great question and from what I’ve heard and read in various sports media outlet it appears it is a matter of personal choice. If you’re a Big East fan or a Kemba Walker fan you are most likely going for UConn. If you like the unknown or “underdog” you will likely go with Butler. Both teams have great coaches and play extremely well together. I personally could care less who wins, I just want to see a great game. If I were a betting man, I would put my money on UConn and Kemba Walker but I’m biased because of the Big East.

Check back later for a game recap once we have crowned a new champion.