Column: Final Four predictions

This Final Four was anything but predictable.

There are no No. 1 or 2 seeds left in the tourney, which has never happened.

Two out of 5.9 million that filled out the bracket on ESPN.com got
the Final Four right.

As you see with this Final Four, there are great coaches, solid defenses and talented players on each team that have gotten them this far.

But this Final Four still has no clear-cut favorite, and the only thing we know for sure is that a mid-major team will be in the National Championship ... again.

No. 8 Butler vs. No. 11 VCU
CBS 6:09 p.m.

Experience does help, which leans toward the Bulldogs’ side. They played in this game last year and defeated Michigan State to eventually lose to Duke in the championship game.

Butler is led by guard Shelvin Mack and forward Matt Howard, who have done a good job of filling the void left by last year’s star Gordon Hayward.

Their ability to knock down clutch shots and limit second-chance points in the final minutes has been on their side for most of the tournament.

VCU’s defense has been a major positive for the team, as we saw against Kansas and its ability to stop the Jayhawks from converting easy shots.

VCU coach Shaka Smart will likely advise point guard Joey Rodriguez to get good ball movement through the vaunted Butler defense.

Although VCU is a mid-major team that didn’t win its conference, the Rams are making their presence known especially from the scoring ability from forward Jamie Skeen.

But Butler coach Brad Stevens’ ability to coach in crunch time will give the Bulldogs the slight edge.
Butler 72 — VCU 69

No. 4 Kentucky vs. No. 3 Connecticut
CBS 8:49 p.m.

The Wildcats are a team of one-and-dones that have gotten better as the season has continued.

Kentucky’s three freshman sensations, Brandon Knight, Doron Lamb and Terrance Jones, have scored the majority of the points.

Senior forward Josh Harrelson is the unsung hero of this team because of all the behind-the-scenes things he does. Harrelson is constantly grabbing offensive rebounds, guarding dominant big men and bringing defensive physicality in the paint.

All of those things contribute to what makes this Wildcat team well-rounded.

On the other end, junior guard Kemba Walker leads UConn.

Walker is a scorer that makes shots from the anywhere floor.

Every star needs his or her supporting cast, and Walker has that in guard Jeremy Lamb and forward Alex Oriakhi.

Lamb has grown as a player through the tourney and into another scoring weapon for Calhoun.

Both have a very up-tempo style, but the key for Kentucky is stopping Walker.

Walker will be slowed down by the Kentucky defense, which is one of the keys to the game.

The talented youth of Kentucky helps them get the win in this one.
Kentucky 76 — UConn 70
 
Championship Game — UK vs. Butler
April 4

Butler’s game this year will be very different from last year’s championship due to a younger and higher-scoring opponent in Kentucky.

If the Bulldogs don’t get in early foul trouble it will greatly increase their chances of winning their first national championship.

But if Knight distributes like he has been doing throughout the tournament, then Butler could have the same finish like last year.

Andrew Smith and Matt Howard will need to work together to stop Kentucky’s inside presence.

I see another close game like last year, but this time the Bulldogs will come out as the victor due to Mack’s ability to hit the clutch shot in final minutes.

Experience in pressure moments will help the Bulldogs, especially in this game.
Last year’s devastation will turn into this year’s celebration for the Bulldogs.
Butler 68 — UK 66

­— amsiegal@indiana.edu