Bracket busters and Buzzer Beaters: March Madness preview

Final 4: 1 Florida over 4 Michigan StateIn a battle of arguably the two best teams when at full health, the Gators will come out of top. The strength and athleticism of Patrick Young will be able to neutralize the inside/out game of Spartans big man Adreian Payne. Scottie Wilbekin will get the best of Keith Appling in the matchup of gritty senior point guards. Guard Gary Harris will have to play like the potential lottery pick that he is for the Spartans to have a shot. But, the overall versatility and balance of Florida will be too much for Michigan St. to overcome.

The Gators have a flurry of athletes with wingspan (shout out to Jay Bilas) who they can throw at the Spartans defensively and on the boards. The key is Florida sharpshooter Michael Frazier’s ability to stretch the floor. If he can provide proper spacing with his long range shooting, the Gators will be moving on. If he has an off game, Michigan St. chances are a lot better as it will allow for them to pack in their defense and make the Gators beat them over top. But, I have a feeling Frazier will be locked in, and the Gators will be moving on in a close one.

Final 4: 4 Louisville over 8 Oklahoma StateThe journey stops here for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. As good as the Cowboys are on the perimeter led by Marcus Smart, they lack an inside presence, and this is the game where it finally takes a toll on them. The growth and development in the game of Louisville big man Montrezl Harrell might be the biggest reason for Louisville’s late season dominance. Harrell will have his way with the Cowboys and the Louisville pressure will wear down the guard trio of Smart, Markel Brown, and Phil Forte. With their athletes, Oklahoma St. can limit the production of Louisville guard Russ Smith, and Marcus Smart will do anything in his power to keep the game close. But in the end Harrell and his fellow Cardinals will be too much and pull away by double figures in the end.

2014 NCAA I Champs??

National Championship: 1 Florida over 4 Louisville (68-64)This is your classic matchup of pupil vs. teacher. In a different lifetime, Billy Donovan was once the starting point for Rick Pitino’s Providence team, leading them to a Final Four. 27 years later, Donovan is now a 2-time NCAA champion as coach of the Florida Gators, and Rick Pitino has turned Louisville into one of the best programs in the nation year in and year out. Will the balance and defensive efficiency of Florida win out over Louisville and its pressing style and constant changing of defenses? Will the versatility of Florida be able to shut down Russdiculous? Will the last back-to-back champs be able to stop last year’s defending champs from doing the same?

All these questions make for an entertaining championship title game—One that will feature a lot of 8-0 runs and a lot of in-game adjustments by the “grasshopper” and the “master”. Louisville thrives on their pressure wearing down and rattling their opponents. I don’t see this effecting the Gators, as they are an experienced team with a senior point guard and the SEC player of the year in Scottie Wilbekin. The Gators with their tenacious defense along with the divine powers of Timothy Tebow will outlast the Cardinals, and cut down the nets. Let’s all put our hands together and give a gator chomp for the champs. Gator nation, it’s your one shining moment.