Victoria Sports Online

by Bolu Adewale

The elite eight are now down to the final four, which kicks off this Saturday in Indianapolis. And here is where the madness started. I believe everyone is still surprised that the top two teams everyone expected in the final four didn’t make it (Kentucky and Kansas State). So, it comes down to West Virginia vs. Duke, and Michigan State vs. Butler.

Michigan State 28-8

Michigan State is looking like one of the favourites for the national title this year, especially after losing the championship game last year. Although claiming to share the Big Ten title, Michigan State didn’t quite live up to the expectations this year being ranked No.2 in the preseason. Despite all this, Michigan is back in the Final Four for the second straight year.

Can Michigan become champions this year? This is possible because the Spartans are number one in rebounds this season and they have the highest shooting percentage out of the four remaining teams. This, as well as their experienced roster, gives Michigan State a serious chance at the title.

Butler 32-4

Ranked number 11 until their fourth loss to UAB in the preseason, they found themselves unranked. But since the lost to UAB, Butler has been on a 24-game winning streak. Butler is the first Horizon league team to make it through to the Final Four.

Can Butler become champions this year? Butler has the nation’s longest winning streak at 24. If the team can get the streak alive to 26, they’ll win the title. In order to win Butler’s focus needs to be on 3-point shooting, and obviously the support from their hometown.

Duke 33-5

It has been six years since we have last seen Duke in the Final Four. Although duke wasn’t ranked all that high during the season, they managed to pull together and enter the tournament as the third overall seed.

Can Duke win the championship title? With the solid work ethic and flawless systems game Duke has been displaying throughout the last couple of games, an NCAA championship title is a definite possibility. Duke has a strong three point shooting team and three players who average over 17 points per game: Singler, Scheyer and Smith. If this trio continues to perform as it has been, Duke will claim the title.

West Virginia 31-6

The last time West Virginia was in the Final Four was 51 years ago when they made it to the championships against California. The Mountaineers enter the Final Four as the Big East Conference champions. West Virginia also defeated number one seed Kentucky, and is now on a 10-game winning streak going up against fellow number one seed Duke.

Can West Virginia win the championship title? This is possible if West Virginia continues their great defence down low and elite shut down system. Even if West Virginia’s players keep this up, they still need some help from the basketball gods to eliminate the powerhouse Blue Devils squad. The Mountaineers are trying to earn their first championship game appearance since Frankie Avalon’s hit single “Why” topped the billboard charts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqjjUKu9t-8.