NCAA Bracket 2011 Predictions: John Calipari Still Looking for a National Title

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NCAA Bracket 2011 Predictions Usually Favorable For John Calipari But He's Still Looking For His First National Title

There's a lot of things we already know about John Calipari. We know the man can coach because he's one of the most highly-regarded coaches in college basketball. We know he can build and rebuild a program, because he's turned each school he's been at into a National Championship contender.

We know he can win, because he's taken two schools to a Final Four and all three schools to an Elite Eight. And we know he can recruit, because there's a whole laundry list of NBA players and stars he's recruited.

Yet we don't know if Coach Cal can ever win a big game. And I'm not talking about an SEC Championship or even getting to the Final Four, because he can do that. It's winning a National Championship, the one thing missing from Calipari's resume and the one thing he's still searching for as a head coach. 

The closest he's come to a National Championship was still in 2008 with Memphis when he was a few missed free throws and less than 10 seconds away from a National Title. The talent has never been able to get Calipari over the hump, and one has to wonder if he'll ever be able to get there after missing out with last year's Kentucky team.

Calipari will have chances. Kentucky has two future stars in Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones and should make it to the Round of 32 at least. Of course after that the road gets a lot tougher, with potential matchups with West Virginia, Ohio State and North Carolina in the East region alone. Even then, West Virginia might be the biggest problems considering Bob Huggins' history against Calipari.

But Calipari is once again in the hunt for a possible National Championship. Whether or not Coach Cal can finally seal the deal is still to be seen.

For more March Madness, head to Bleacher Report's March Madness page, where you can find a printable bracket and a guest column by Northern Colorado coach B.J. Hill.

Most recent updates:

• March Madness 2011 Predictions: Corey Fisher Trying to Erase Recent History
• NCAA Bracket 2011 Predictions: Jordan Hamilton Will Have to Carry the Longhorns
• March Madness 2011 Predictions: Bo Ryan Still Trying to Break Through
• View all updates

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