Versão Original do Final Four 2012 - Original version of the Final Four 2012
by Devon Jones,
March, 13th, 2012
It’s that time again! That time when David stands on an equal plane with Goliath, Cinderella stories overshadow the efforts of perennial powerhouses, and known stars shine while new stars emerge from a little place called out of nowhere. Yes, it is March Madness 2012! This year is just as intriguing as any in recent years. From Harvard (Ivy League) making its first NCAA tourney appearance since 1946 to teams like Wichita State (MVC) and Montana (Big Sky) being underdogs capable of going far in the dance. With millions of tournament brackets being pre-meditated to track the 68 games about to take place, here is a glance into some of the elements that will make March Madness 2012 so exciting.
Favorites/Best Team:
If you haven’t been sleeping under a rock the last 4 months you know that South Region #1, Kentucky (32-2), is the most talented team in this year’s final four. The Wildcats are very young but are very deep with talent. They have at least 4 bench players that can be a starter on any team in the country. Their strength is inside with their dynamic freshman Anthony Davis and consistent guard play from Doron Lamb and Marquis Teague handling the rock.
Other considerations for best teams include:
East Region #1 Syracuse (31-2) With Dion Waiters coming off the bench, Syracuse is as deep of team as any in the country. East Region #2 Ohio State (27-7) The Ohio State Buckeyes are as good as Jared Sullinger plays. Midwest Region #1 North Carolina (29-5) With a roster full of NBA talent, the Tar Heels could go all the way.
Underdog/Sleeper Teams:
*South Region #5 Wichita State (27-5), doesn't leave the mouth of many when describing a final four experience. However, Wichita State is one of the most balanced yet prolific offensive teams in the tournament. They have the ability to win a shootout-type of game with any opponent. If they can defeat Virginia Commonwealth in the first round they can go far in the tourney. *East Region #13 Montana (25-6) is as seldom talked about as Wichita State but just as capable of at least a sweet sixteen appearance. Montana has won 14 straight games and 20 of its last 21. The Grizzlies had the best defense in their conference and shoots the ball very well from beyond the arc.*
Other sleeper teams include:
Midwest Region #5 Temple (24-7) Their veteran leadership and good guards are very appealing. West Region #12 Long Beach State (25-8) This team never made a big dance appearance and had the toughest non-conference schedule in the nation, facing the likes of Kansas, North Carolina and Kansas State to name a few. The 49ers are battle tested and motivated. South Region #12 Virginia Commonwealth: This team made it to 2011 Final Four and is good enough to do it again.
Players to watch:
*South Region: Austin Rivers, Duke. The sensational freshman proved to the nation that he can perform well on the grand stage. The rival game against North Carolina was proof as he sunk the game winning 3-point shot without hesitation. There is little doubt that Rivers is the leader of his team. Duke is not the favorite in this year’s tournament but with a great performance from Rivers, they can sneak past some good teams.
*East Region: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State. The Sophomore Sullinger is the best player in the East Region averaging 17.5 points per game this year. He improved most of his seasonal stats from a year ago when he was a freshman. Without much help as other stars have in their teammates, Sullinger stays consistent and is the heart of the Ohio State team. The Buckeyes go as far as Sullinger takes them.
*Midwest Region: Thomas Robinson, Kansas. The National Player of the Year frontrunner and the main reason why the Jayhawks are relevant. Robinson is averaging 18 points and 12 rebounds per game. He is one of the most physically intimidating players in the country and has the ability to boost his team to a deep run in the tourney.
*West Region: Draymond Green, Michigan State. Greens numbers (16ppg, 10rpg, 3apg) are enough for his consideration for players to watch. However, Green has been a contributor to the Spartan program for four years. His leadership is just as important as great stats. This Michigan State team is a whole different team with Green in the lineup.
PTW Consideration:
Isaiah Canaan, Murray State (19ppg), One of the top scoring guards in the country
Matthew Dellavedova, St. Mary's (15ppg, 6apg), WCC Player of the year
My Final Four Picks:
South Region: Baylor
Yes. I know this is a shocker but as good as Kentucky is they have their weaknesses as any other team. I have Baylor making it to the Elite 8 and knocking off Kentucky to make it to the Final Four to represent the South region. Baylor is a bit inconsistent but has as good of athletes as any team in the country. I believe they have the athleticism to slow down Anthony Davis in the middle and Kentucky's youth will play a part in the pressure that Baylor dishes out.
East Region: Syracuse
I have Syracuse and Florida State meeting up in the Elite 8. Florida State is another team that has the athleticism to fair with any team in the country. However, Syracuse's depth and transition game will be too much for the inconsistent Seminoles. Syracuse escapes past FSU to the Final Four in an exciting game.
West Region: Michigan State
Michigan State is almost a no brainer to make it to the Elite 8 out of the West, with Louisville being the only team at the top of the bracket to challenge them. The bottom of the West bracket has some intriguing teams but Missouri is too good of team not to get to the Elite 8. Michigan State and Missouri have more similarities than anything else. However, Draymond Green will prove to be the player that he has been all year and does enough to will the Spartans to the Final Four.
Midwest Region: Kansas
There are a lot of good teams in this region and a lot of the games could go either way. I have North Carolina getting to the Elite 8 based on how good the roster is. They will be able to match well with any team and have the best chance of getting out this region. I have the Tarheels playing the Jayhawks of Kansas in the Elite 8 game. UNC out matches KU, but Thomas Robinson will be spirited and motivated from the loss of his mother earlier of the season. His passion will rub off on the rest of his team and they will get pass UNC to get to the Final Four.
...And the 2012 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship goes to....
Syracuse! Syracuse will face Michigan State in the Championship game. The Spartans have a star in Draymond Green but Syracuse's multiple stars will be too much. Syracuse is 31-2 and was 20-0 before losing to a spirited Notre Dame team. They may have the toughest road to the Championship game. However, they have the depth, the talent, and the leadership to get through the tough moments the tourney has to offer. They are a momentum driven team and they will have the majority of the fans in the arena while in the east bracket.
Here is a bracket to do some predictions of your own....
*Information gather directly from HuffPost.com, Sports, March 13, 2012
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário