Final Four 2012: Kentucky vs Kansas Championship is Perfect Finale

You can't ask for much more in a Final Four than fans have already gotten.

Four elite programs. A bitter in-state rivalry between Kentucky and Louisville. Elite big men in Jared Sullinger and Thomas Robinson squaring off when Ohio State faced Kansas. Competitive games. A late rally by Kansas.

And to think, it's only going to get better in the championship game. Think of all the compelling storylines in this one.

For one, you have two of the most storied programs in college basketball history squaring off. Kentucky hasn't won a championship since 1998 and head coach John Calipari is looking for his first.

Kansas has had more recent success in that regard, winning in 2008 in an epic overtime game against Memphis.

Oh yeah, and Calipari was the coach of that Memphis squad. If you don't think Calipari is at least a little excited about the chance to get some revenge against Bill Self, think again.

But it goes beyond a history lesson. Both of these teams bring a lot to the table as well.

On one hand, there is Kentucky, a team rife with future NBA players. This year's Player of the Year, Anthony Davis, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist could be the first two picks off the board at this year's draft, which is just absurd.

But for all of their talent, the Kentucky players operate unselfishly and work as hard on the defensive end as they do while on offense. They truly play with little ego, a refreshing thing to see on a team so talented.

Let's not forget about Kansas. Thomas Robinson was as good as any other player in the game this year, and his story is simultaneously heartbreaking and inspiring. Tyshawn Taylor has the ability to shoot Kansas to a national championship. Jeff Withey battling with Davis down low should be fun to watch.

Kansas plays with the sort of grit and determination that allows them to exceed the results you might expect from their talent. They are very good, but they've willed themselves to be great—an interesting contrast to a Kentucky team that has all the talent in the world and has contained its ego enough to utilize it.

With two teams that play such excellent defense and are tough in the paint, this one should be a cerebral, defensive-oriented game that basketball purists will love.

Both teams will likely try to steal easy buckets with excellent transition games, keeping what I believe will be a low-scoring game very exciting nonetheless.

You can't ask for a much better matchup to end an excellent Final Four and a fun tournament than a battle between these two powers. And much as everyone expected heading into postseason play, look for Kentucky to cut down the nets and take home the national championship.

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