Final 4 2012: 5 Bold Predictions for Championship Weekend

As John Calipari stated, the great part of the NCAA Tournament is the "one and doneness of it." It may not roll off the tongue elegantly, but he is correct.

As we have seen from the incredible first round upsets, nothing is guaranteed. Just ask Duke fans about that.

The tournament features four basketball powerhouses, so don't expect any huge surprises. While previous seasons featured some outstanding individual efforts (yes, I'm looking at you, Kemba Walker and Jimmer Fredette), thus far we have seen more officiating blunders than incredible achievements.

On Saturday, the Final Four tips off at 6:09PM between the two juggernauts Kentucky and Louisville. In the upcoming slides, I will tell you my five bold predictions for this weekend.

The Best Action Is Yet to Come

This Final Four features two matchups, Louisville/Kentucky and Kansas/Ohio State, that will have no shortage of storylines.

The difference with this season as opposed to previous ones is the lack of a Cinderella in the mix. The first-round upsets have long since departed, and the Final Four is rich in firepower and features coaches with extensive backgrounds of success.

Thus far, there has been no singular defining moment in the tournament, or a player that goes on a Kemba Walker-type run. So what can we expect? How about two exhilarating games that come down to the wire which will not only show who the best teams in the country are, but also which player will potentially go No. 1 in the NBA Draft.

There doesn't need to be a ridiculous half-court buzzer-beating shot for these matchups to live up to the hype.

The action that takes place during the 40 minutes of regulation will be a similar to a chess match between John Calipari and Rick Pitino in the first game. It will be interesting to see if Pitino can find an answer for freshman Anthony Davis, who has been a force for Kentucky, especially down the stretch.

Then, in the second game, we will be treated to the matchup of Jared Sullinger and Thomas Robinson, two of the dominant forces in the country, which begs the question: Who is more hyped for the game, the players or Dick Vitale?

Defense Will Be the Name of the Game

For those expecting a run-and-gun style shootout, don't put your money on it. All four teams rank in the top 11 in defense efficiency, with Louisville heading the pack at No. 1.

Despite Louisville's lack of star power, they play an aggressive style of full-court press that has left the opposition tired in the second half. Their prowess was put on display as they held Michigan State to a measly 44 points. They also were able to hold Florida to zero second half threes, effectively neutralizing their long-distance shooters.

The big matchups will be in the front court, but it will be huge if Louisville guard Peyton Siva is able to avoid costly turnovers that may decide the game.

In the second game, the attention will undoubtedly be centered on the two stars in the game. However, as we saw in the Elite Eight matchup, Tyshawn Taylor can play a huge role if he shoots the way he did against North Carolina.

Expect two low-scoring games that will depend on all teams neutralizing the opposition's go-to man and forcing tough shots for the less versatile players. Unless there is an injury or early foul trouble for the dynamic players such as Sullinger, Davis or Robinson, both games will come down to execution of late-game foul shots to determine these low-scoring affairs.

Calipari Will Get the Best of Pitino

The matchup between Kentucky and Louisville is just as much about the game as it is the coaches. Rick Pitino and john Calipari are among the greatest coaches in men's NCAA basketball history.

Pitino, seven years older, has the distinction of winning one national title under his belt. However, Calipari has the unique accomplishment of coaching three separate schools to the Final Four, which is difficult on many levels.

Perhaps the fact that will mentioned the most times on the television broadcast will be Pitino's tenure as Kentucky coach from '89-'97, which featured his national title in 1996. (He just missed a second one the following year by losing in overtime to Arizona.)

He left to coach the Boston Celtics in 1998, a year in which Kentucky won another title. I can promise that Kentucky fans have not forgot this.

Pitino's full-court pressure offense will put Anthony Davis and company to the test. Louisville center Gorgui Dieng will have his mettle tested by attempting to contain the multi-faceted Kentucky offense, which features several future NBA prospects.

I predict Kentucky will win this game due to their balance both offensively and defensively. Pitino's defense may be ranked No. 1, but Kentucky's offense will not be denied.

Ohio State Will Get Revenge for Mid-Season Loss

During the season, these two teams matched up and Kansas won 78-67. Why am I not predicting the same will happen?

Well, that could be due to the addition of a certain man named Jared Sullinger, who missed that game due to back spasms. Sullinger is the dominating force that can decide a close game in the second half. His size at 6'9" and athletic ability will prove to be too tough even for Thomas Robinson to contain.

The 6'8" Robinson possesses the ability to contain most big men in the country, as can be seen by his 18 PPG and 12 RPG stat line for the season. However, Sullinger will be the difference in this game and make Ohio State fans forget about the previous matchup.

Anthony Davis Will Cement His Status as No. 1 Draft Pick

Some say players who leave after one NCAA season are ruining the sport, but Anthony Davis won't be complaining after his Final Four performance, which will make him the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft.

The likely national player of the year, who sports one of the most famous unibrows in the world today, will most likely leave after one year, as Kyrie Irving and John Wall did.

Davis has incredible ability on both ends of the court. His shot-blocking ability has been compared to Dwight Howard, and he is no slouch on the offensive end. He can knock down mid range jumpers with ease, and has the size to contest almost any big man.

He will outplay Rick Pitino's defense this weekend, prove he is the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft and make him and his unibrow extremely wealthy.