Final Four 2012: Predictions for Epic New Orleans Showdowns

Finally, we get to the good part of the NCAA Tournament and the Final Four teams left standing after some punishing early rounds. 

You can leave your brackets in the trash and rely solely on the talent as a reason to be captivated by Saturday's complement of clashes. 

Louisville and Kentucky meet up to renew a classic rivalry, and Ohio State and Kansas give us two teams that will beat each other to death in the paint, and it will be beautiful. 

Here are predictions for what is about to go down in the Big Easy. 

No. 4 Louisville vs. No. 1 Kentucky - Saturday, March 31st - 6:09 p.m. - CBS 

Rick Pitino has done a great job to deliver this Cardinals team to the doorstep of a national title. For that, we give him a rousing golf clap, and then we move on. 

Kentucky will take this one because they have to, and because they are simply better. 

There is no arguing that the whole of the pressure to win in this Final Four rests on John Calipari's shoulders. This is his fourth trip to the big dance and he is coming in with the best team talent-wise. 

We can forgive a loss in the title game, but his legacy takes a hit if he loses to a lesser, albeit underrated, Louisville team. Especially since this Kentucky team is flooded with NBA-level talent. 

The Wildcats have four-straight games of 80 points or more. While Louisville can be stifling for other teams, Kentucky is just too deep and can kill you in a number of ways. 

Prediction: Kentucky 81, Louisville 77

No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Kansas - Saturday, March 31st - 8:49 p.m. - CBS 

Ohio State is a real power in the paint and now have two players that will dominate the proceedings. Much has been made of Jared Sullinger's versatility and perimeter play, but the emergence of DeShaun Thomas should really give Kansas fans pause. 

In the end, I take Kansas' defense to stifle OSU just enough for the slimmest of victories. The Jayhawks have proved their tenacity and never-say-die attitude. 

This is the kind of game that will demand such efforts. I also expect a big game from Thomas Robinson, who has the size and athleticism to get over on the OSU defense. 

Prediction: Kansas 73, Ohio State 72 

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