Final Four 2012: 5 Reasons Ohio State vs. Kansas Is the Matchup to Watch

If you are going to watch one game in the 2012 Final Four, it should be the Ohio State Buckeyes vs. the Kansas Jayhawks.

The Kentucky/Louisville matchup has received exponentially more publicity due to the Wildcats' dominant play, but the OSU/KU matchup will be more exciting.

Kentucky is going to romp Louisville, run them out of the gym and send them home. That's pretty much a forgone conclusion at this point. John Calipari's team is just too talented for the Cardinals to compete.

Here's why you need to tune in to the later matchup.

Reason 1

The marquis matchup in this game is the defensive prowess of Kansas center Jeff Withey pitted against the scoring machine that is Jared Sullinger.

The Jayhawks seven-footer has blocked 20 shots in the team's four tournament games.

Sullinger has put up and average of 18 points and eight rebounds in his four postseason games, making this a clash of the titans in the Final Four.

Reason 2

Tonight's game is a rematch of the December 10th game, which ended in a 78-67 victory for the Jayhawks.

Don't let that result sway your opinion, as Sullinger sat that one out due to concern over back spasms.

Reason 3

These teams are so evenly matched it's uncanny.

Kansas is 36th in points per game. Ohio State is 35th.

KU is 54th in rebounds per game. OSU is 57th.

The Jayhawks finished the season 21st in the nation in assists. The Buckeyes finished 31st. 

Field goal percentage is right on as well. Thad Matta's squad finished 12th in the nation in that department while Bill Self's guys finished in 14th.

Reason 4

If you don't get excited about the Tyshawn Taylor/Thomas Robinson connection, you need to check your pulse.

Robinson is one of the most electric big men in the nation, high-flying in the transition offense as well as the half-court game. 

A few Taylor to Robinson alley-oops will definitely be more thrilling than watching Anthony Davis block every single shot Louisville takes tonight.

Reason 5

This is a chance to see both teams at full strength, playing for nothing but pride and glory.

As mentioned before, Sullinger missed the first matchup between the two. He wasn't the only guy on the floor hurting, as Tyshawn Taylor played but needed surgery the next morning for a torn meniscus.

Taylor had 13 assists that night. Just imagine what he can do with two fully-functional knees.