'Dogs vs. Devils Finals?

As said in my last post, I would talk about the Final Four. How could I not? With one of the best, most unexpected March Madness tournaments in the history of college basketball, I am loving it just as much as anyone. Today, Evan Turner of Ohio State was name AP Player of the Year, with John Wall of Kentucky finishing second. Also, Syracuse's Jim Boeheim was named AP Coach of the Year, with Kansas State's Frank Martin coming in second. This tournament has been so unpredictable that none of those people are in this year's Final Four. I don't know anybody who had Duke being the only #1 seed being in the Final Four. I don't know anyone who had Butler or Michigan State in the Final Four. I don't know anyone who had a #5 seed in the National Championship game (which will happen because Butler plays Michigan State). Anyway, I've got Duke and Butler moving on to the finals on Monday. Here's why:

2 West Virginia vs. 1 Duke - Duke
As much as I hate Duke, I think they have the edge in this matchup. West Virginia was very impressive, beating my predicted champion Kentucky in the Elite 8. But Duke was my only correct Final Four team, and I knew they would get there because of their Big Three: Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith. No one has a tandem like the Blue Devils do: all three of them average over 17 points per game. Baylor was a popular Final Four pick, and Duke beat them by seven despite Singler not making a single free throw! West Virginia had an impressive run, but unfortunately, I think it's going to end tomorrow.

5 Michigan State vs. 5 Butler - Butler
I am stunned by both of these teams making it as far as I did: I had both losing in the Sweet 16 to the #1 seeds in their respective regions, but both have won their first four games of the tourney. One of the dream runs has to end tomorrow, and I think that it will unfortunately be the only team from last year's Final Four to return. As I said in my last incorrect prediction of Michigan State, no Kalin Lucas is going to have a huge impact on this game. They got past Northern Iowa and Tennessee, but I think Butler's defense is just too good. The Bulldogs are averaging just under 60 points per game allowed, and if Korie Lucious has an off game or gets in foul trouble, the Spartans don't have a backup point guard. I have the home-town heroes coming away with their 25th straight win and keeping their Cinderella season alive.