Fantastic Final Four Frenzy

Just a couple of weeks ago, people all across the world began analyzing the teams, watching Bracketology, and making their predictions on the NCAA tournament. After all of the dramatic finishes, the clutch shots, and the upsets, who could have possibly had these four teams in Indianapolis.

I know I didn’t.

So, after watching only one of my Final Four teams advance to Indianapolis, I will try to make up for my sub par predictions with a perfect Final Four. But with the way this tournament has turned out, perfect is a huge stretch for anyone.
In the first game of the night, the George Mason Patriots take on the Florida Gators. Let me say that again. Florida, a public university of the SEC with an enrollment of just over 48,000, will play George Mason, a commuter school of the Colonial Athletic Association with an enrollment of just under 30,000, in the Final Four.

Okay, now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, I can focus on the actual game. Florida may seem to be the easy pick, but no one is going to tell that to George Mason.

The Patriots are well-balanced when it comes to scoring, but one of their major problems is that they aren’t very deep. All of their starters average in double-figures, but Mason’s first man off the bench only averages 3.5 points per game.

One of the other problems George Mason might face against Florida is the Gators’ size advantage. Joakim Noah (6’11”) and Al Horford (6’8″) will give George Mason trouble down low as Mason’s tallest player is Jai Lewis at just 6’7″. And just to dig the hole a little deeper, Corey Brewer is also 6’8″.

However, George Mason holds two other very important advantages. One of them is their guard play. Tony Skinn, Lamar Butler, and Folarin Campbell have been one of the best backcourts in the country so far in the tournament hitting big shot after big shot. Tony Skinn and Lamar Butler averaged 12.7 and 11.8 points, respectively during the season and are the two most well known players on the team. However, I think the player that really makes Mason go is Folarin Campbell. He averaged 10.9 points, 4 assists, and shot 48% from the field during the season.

Also, another important advantage George Mason has is their experience. Tony Skinn, Lamar Butler, and Jai Lewis are all seniors who have been with the program for four or five years. Florida doesn’t even start one senior with junior guard Lee Humphrey and four sophomores in the starting lineup.

In the end, I think that George Mason’s guards and experience will overcome Florida’s post advantage.

George Mason 83
Florida 77

The second National Semifinal matches LSU and UCLA. Many people say that the first team to 50 will win. I am going to have to disagree. UCLA might not be able to score 50, but LSU certainly will.

Glen Davis and Tyrus Thomas will be too strong for UCLA down low which really doesn’t have a strong post group. LSU should be able to outscore and outrebound UCLA.

As for the perimeter, I think it will be a toss-up. Arron Afflalo and Jordan Farmar are the two big threats for the Bruins on the outside. Afflalo averages 16.2 points per game while Farmar averaged 13.4. For LSU, It is Darrel Mitchell and Garrett Temple. Mitchell averages 17 points and 4.5 assists per game and is the best and most clutch shooter in the lineup for the Tigers. Temple, while not scoring much for LSU, is still a major factor in the Tigers’ success in the tournament. He will defend either Afflalo or Farmar depending on how well LSU matches up against the Bruins. And as you know, Temple can play some physical, in-your-face defense. See J.J Redick.

UCLA will keep it close early, but I don’t think they have the fire power to stay with LSU late in the game.

LSU 64
UCLA 51

So, it looks like LSU will face George Mason in the National Championship on Monday night in Indianapolis. Of course, I am assuming everything will go perfect.