2011 Final Four Predictions: Kentucky Wildcats vs. Connecticut Huskies

We’re inching closer and closer towards the Final Four in Houston on Saturday, and considering the way this year’s NCAA Tournament has played out, we should expect the unexpected once the action gets underway this weekend.

Both matchups offer something a little different, and both should be games that go right down to the wire, with a big play here or there down the stretch deciding the game.

Luckily for Kentucky and Connecticut, they have some big-time players who have proven they can do just that.

In talking about clutch players this post-season, you undoubtedly have to start with Kemba Walker. When UConn took the floor on that Tuesday in the Big East Tournament to take on Depaul, did anyone really believe we’d be seeing them in Houston? Aside from UConn fans, no one thought this was going to happen.

The run that UConn has been able to put together has been fueled by the play of Walker. Should this run end with a national championship, it will go down as one of the greatest post-season performances ever by an individual player.

I mean honestly, what else can you say about this guy? Even as great as he is, we simply did not expect this team to do what they’ve been able to do in post-season play. After the won the Big East championship, you sort of felt like that wasn’t all they had in mind. And Walker’s made that clear now. He’s on a mission to another championship, but this one will be much, much bigger if they can find a way to pull it off.

But before they can play for a title, they’ve gotta beat the Wildcats first. And considering the way John Calipari‘s team has looked lately, that’s not going to be an easy task.

Kentucky has had an impressive post-season run as well, winning the SEC Tournament in Atlanta, and knocking off the likes of Ohio State and North Carolina to get to this point. Brandon Knight is the clutch contributor on this team, and after scoring nothing but the game-winner against Princeton in the first round of the tournament, he’s turned it on and been outstanding in leading this team.

However, the reason Kentucky has made it this far isn’t just the work of Knight. It’s been the role players for the Wildcats that have exceeded expectations this season. The three-point shooting of Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins has been the piece of the puzzle that they were missing last year, and had they had that to go along with John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, they would have made it farther than the Elite Eight.

And then you’ve got the unsung hero inside in Josh Harrellson who does nothing but rebound and play great defense. Think about the players he’s had to go up against in this tournament. He’s had to go against Jared Sullinger. He’s had to go against Tyler Zeller. He didn’t do anything flashy. He just battled with them inside and made them work for everything that they got.

Harrellson draws another tough task this time around, as Alex Oriakhi has somewhat flown under the radar due to the play of Walker. But make no mistake about it, Oriakhi is going to present Harrellson with a challenge inside. Harrellson has been up to the challenge so far in this tournament, and I would expect him to be ready for this one as well.

Speaking of challenges, I think the big question in this game is who will be the guys who step up offensively if Knight and Walker are struggling. Well, look no further than Terrence Jones of Kentucky and Jeremy Lamb of Connecticut.

These two freshmen have been outstanding in this tournament, and even though Knight and Walker get the majority of the attention from opposing defenses, you better believe that these two can be just as dangerous when they’re on.

So in looking at both teams from top to bottom, I believe Kentucky is the better team. Again, I think it’s the three-point shooting that sets them apart. That’s not to say that the Huskies can’t shoot it, but it’s just that the Wildcats have more options from behind the arc.

And while Knight and Walker haven’t particularly struggled as of late, what happens if one of them can’t find their shot? Who is going to step up and be the difference maker?

In that regard, I feel like Kentucky has more options, and will keep the Connecticut defense off balance the entire night.

Given everything that Connecticut has accomplished in the last month or so, you almost wonder why you even entertain the thought of picking against them. But for some reason, I am, and I will.

I know Walker and company have already beaten the Wildcats convincingly this season. That was early and this is now. Kentucky’s a completely different animal.

Even though a lot of people don’t like him, you have to give Calipari a ton of credit for what this team has been able to accomplish. This team has come together and have brought the Kentucky program back to the Final Four for the first time since 1998.

I think they’ll have an extended stay, and move on to the national championship game on Monday night.

Prediction: Kentucky 72, Connecticut 65

And there’s my pick. Be sure to check out my predictions for the Butler/VCU game to see who I’ve got meeting the Wildcats in the national championship.

Who do you think wins this game?

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