And last but not last, we come to the Final Four of March Madness. It's late so I don't have time for full write-ups now, but I'll try to add to this tomorrow morning before the tournament starts. Either way, my picks are not changing. Good luck!
FINAL FOUR - Glendale, AZ (Winner in bold)
#1 Villanova vs. #2 Arizona
Arizona will definitely have a huge home edge playing in Glendale, but I can't go against Villanova. They have been one of the best (if not the best) teams in the nation all season long. Jay Wright is a better coach then Sean Miller, and also doesn't sweat through his suit every game. Arizona also has an easy road to the Final Four, which I think is a disadvantage as Villanova is a huge step above anyone they will play before this game. Villanova locks down on defense and reaches their second straight title game.
#2 Kentucky vs. #5 Iowa State
Kentucky has too much talent for Iowa State to handle, and will be the first team to effectively defend their shots. Secondly, this is being played in an NFL stadium, which historically has caused poor shooting. Teams that rely on jumpshots and threes, such as Iowa State, often struggle with the weird site lines and thus will have a problem scoring. Kentucky has a dangerous offense and the Cyclones won't be able to keep up. Kentucky moves on for an epic National Title game.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
#1 Villanova vs. #2 Kentucky
Battle of the Wildcats. For me, this simply comes down to experience. Kentucky relies on their star freshmen, while Villanova features three seniors in their starting line-up; along with 10 of their 14 players being on the National Championship team a year ago. Villanova has slightly better ratings for offensive and defensive efficiency, but it's basically a wash in my book. In the end, Jay Wright and his Wildcats know what it takes to win this game, and their combined experience gives them the edge in my mind. Villanova repeats as National Champions.