Analyzing The Final Four that Very Few Predicted

There's no simpler way to put it: This year's NCAA Tournament went anything but according to plan.

Outside of Duke, each one of the Final Four teams had more critics than they did believers going into the NCAA Tournament.

Well that criticism can be thrown out the window now, because you can make a reasonable argument for each of one of these teams to win it all. Let's look at each one:

1. Duke (1): The Blue Devils were my national championship pick, and they're the only team keeping my bracket above water. They play so well as a team, and it has shown over the past few weeks. To me, Nolan Smith deserves all the credit in the world for keeping Duke from becoming yet another upset victim.

If they lose to West Virginia, it'll be anything but an upset loss. They've got all the right tools to do it, but Kyle Singler has to put up a better performance than he did against Baylor ( five points, 0/10 from the field) or Duke has little-to-no chance of victory. I give them a slight edge over everyone else because they have so many weapons, and if they all have a good game then there's not a defensive gameplan in the world that can shut this team down.

Interesting fact: This is Duke's first Final Four appearance since 2004

2. West Virginia (2): Much like the Blue Devils, the Mountaineers also bailed me out on my bracket. I had this matchup in my bracket, but with the Mountaineers losing a close one. I very well could be wrong, as West Virginia could easily win this game. They're just that good.

That was proven against a Kentucky team that was blowing everyone out. The defense of West Virginia is what will give them a great chance against Duke. Duke's offense looked very shaky against Baylor, so we know West Virgnia's defense is capable of doing the same thing. That Mountaineer offense looked pretty solid against Kentucky as well. It should be one of the better games of the tournament.

Interesting fact: First Final Four appearance since 1959

3. Butler (5): Most would argue that you can't really call a five-seed a Cinderella team, but I'm going to break that logic and say that Butler is one. Despite not having a loss since before Santa Clause came to town, very few people gave Butler a chance against Syracuse or Kansas State. They're shooting the ball extremely well right now, and Michigan State will have their hands full if Butler shoots that way again.

Remember, Butler will be playing just minutes away from their campus in Indianapolis. This could benefit them or hurt them; They'll either feed off that pressure or implode from it. Either way, this team deserves just as much respect as the other three Final Four teams.

Here's an extra interesting fact for you: Butler has never sent a player to the NBA. That will change after this year with Gordon Hayward.

Interesting fact: Only 4,000 students attend Butler

4. Michigan State (5): The Spartans have to be thanking the basketball gods for being in the Final Four. They've won their four tournament games by a combined 13 points. That's not to take away from how good this team is, though.

First off, they've got the benefit of being coached by one of the best in the country in Tom Izzo. He'll bring a great gameplan for the Bulldogs. The question is, will the Spartan players execute it effectively?

Injured point guard Kalin Lucas sure would be helpful in this situation. Korie Lucious has to run the point better than he did against Tennessee, where he had five turnovers and went only two of seven shooting. Those numbers probably won't cut it against a surging Butler team.

Interesting fact: Izzo has now taken MSU to six Final Fours in the last 12 years



I'd be a coward to count Duke out now, so I have them defeating Michigan State in the National Championship game. However, in no way will I be surprised if both Butler and West Virginia win their games and move on to battle it out.