What would a Kentucky vs. Ohio State Championship Game Look Like?

The upcoming college basketball season will begin soon, and I can't wait! It's been several years since so many teams brought so much talent all at once.

There is not going to be one dominant team—there will be several dominant teams. I loved the fact that Shaka Smart and his VCU Rams made it to the Final Four last year. But this year, I will be hoping for a year where all four No. 1 seeds make it to New Orleans.

If that happens, I think that we will witness a Semifinal Saturday like we have never seen before. 

What kind of a game would it be if Kentucky and Ohio State squared off in this year's NCAA Championship in New Orleans on April 2nd?

One word would describe it: Wow!

These two teams have tons of talent to put on the floor. Some of the best players in the nation. Big-time athletes pitted against each other in a forty-minute basketball battle—YES!

Let's look at what the potential match-ups would look like if the Wildcats and Buckeyes collide in 2012:

These Two Teams Played in the 2011 Sweet Sixteen

In a very fiercely fought battle between two great college teams, Kentucky beat Ohio State in the 2011 East Region Sweet Sixteen, 62-60.

Freshman Brandon Knight (pictured) hit the winning jumper with 5.4 seconds left.

Kentucky held the normally hot-shooting Buckeyes to a cool 32.8 percent from the floor.

It was a battle of the Bigs with Josh Harrellson leading the Cats with 17 points and ten rebounds.

Jared Sullinger led all scorers with 21 points and 16 rebounds.

Surprisingly, in winning this game, the Wildcats beat Ohio State for the first time in six NCAA tournament meetings.

Marquis Teaque vs. Aaron Craft

Say what you will about Kentucky's John Calipari, but the man can recruit. Marquis Teague is just another example of his ability to pull in the top players in the country.

Teague (6'2", 175 lbs) arrives on campus having been rated the top PG in most publications and is next in line to be another elite-level, Coach Cal floor leader. 

Teague (pictured) is relentless in the open court. He blows past opponents off the dribble, gets into the lane and causes all kinds of havoc.

Aaron Craft had a rock-solid freshman year for the Buckeyes in '10-'11, averaging 6.9 ppg, 4.8 apg, and 2.9 rpg.

Don't let his low scoring numbers fool you. Craft is a good shooter (46 percent from the floor; 38 from beyond the arc). He simply knew that his primary role on last year's team was to run the show.

Craft's 2.3 assists-to-turnover ratio demonstrates his skill and precision with the ball.

He is a tenacious defender who averaged two steals per game last season.

While Craft is poised for a breakout sophomore season, the slight advantage would go to Teague in this duel.

Doron Lamb vs. William Buford

Talk about two nearly identical players.

Doron Lamb had a fantastic freshman season at UK, averaging 12.3 ppg.

Lamb is a sharpshooter, connecting on 49.7 percent of his shots from the field and a sizzling 48.6 percent from beyond the arc.

William Buford heads into his senior season at Ohio State, ready to demonstrate that he is one of the top SGs in the country.

As a junior, Buford (pictured) averaged 14.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 3.0 apg.

Buford, like Lamb, can light it up, shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 44.2 percent from downtown.

Slight advantage here goes to Buford for his contribution away from shooting and scoring.

Darius Miller vs. Deshaun Thomas

Darius Miller is an oddity in the current Kentucky basketball program: he has stuck around for his college career.

Miller (pictured; 6'7", 228 lbs) is a hard-working do-it-all kind of player, who consistently scores (10.9 ppg), boards (4.8 rpg) and defends.

He adds maturity and experience to a lineup that will again be driven by underclassmen.

Deshaun Thomas was solid performer in his freshman season in Columbus.

Thomas (6'6", 230 lbs) started off strong, but tapered off in the second half of the season, though he finished with strong overall numbers (7.6 ppg and 3.6 rpg).

By all estimates, Thomas will be ready to have a super-sophomore season.

Advantage: Miller. He is a glue-guy who contributes in so many ways every night.

Terrence Jones vs. Jared Sullinger

Two of the best freshmen Bigs from last season both return for (at least) one more.

Terrence Jones was the SEC Freshman of the Year, averaging 15.7 ppg and 8.8 rpg.

Jones (6'8" 244 lbs) is a strong inside player who has a nose for the ball and gets to a lot of boards that many other players don't for the 'Cats.

Jones uses his body well, and doesn't shy away from contact in the paint at all.

Jared Sullinger is a beast (6'9", 280 lbs) who brings it every possession.

Sullinger's double-double average (17.2 ppg and 10.1 rpg) demonstrates his skill and consistency.

Recognized by many media outlets as the national Freshman of the year, Sullinger surprised many in returning for his sophomore season at OSU.

Advantage: Sullinger. He's just a hard player to stop when he gets the ball on the block. And the Buckeyes do a great job of feeding him nearly every time that they have the ball in the half-court.

Anthony Davis vs. Amir Williams

Anthony Davis is considered to be the top player in the Wildcats' Class of 2011.

He is long, athletic and possesses an exceptionally high hoops IQ.

He is fully capable of playing either with his back to the basket or facing up.

Davis (6'10", 200 lbs) will work exceptionally well in Calipari's Dribble Drive, which allows for all players to use the entire court to operate.

Amir Williams is another McDonald's All-American Big, who will not back down from anybody or anything.

Williams (6'10", 220 lbs) is also a long, athletic post player who runs the court exceptionally well and is ready to take advantage of every opportunity inside or outside the lane in the Buckeye attack.

Advantage: Davis. So many skills. Going to be special.

Bench

Kentucky has two more incoming freshmen who were also McDonald's All-Americans.

Michael Gilchrist (pictured) was the top SF in the Class of 2011, and will be ready to bring his multi-faceted game to Lexington.

Kyle Wiltjer will be the first frontcourt player off of the Wildcats bench. He basically has no holes in his game. He is a coach's dream.

Ohio State will use Shannon Scott to back up Aaron Craft. But don't think that there will be much drop-off. Scott is an excellent floor general who will not miss a beat at this level.

Sam Thompson and LaQuinton Ross are two more SFs who provide more punch from the perimeter.

Advantage: Kentucky

Results

These are two exceptional teams. Talent. Depth. Passion. It's all there.

With the combination of returning players and the infusion of another mind-blowing fleet of freshmen, the Wildcats would win this match-up again in a very close game.

Kentucky by 4.

I hope we get to see it!