The most improbable Final Four in NCAA history tips off tonight when Virginia Commonwealth, seeded 11th, meets 8th-seeded Butler in the first game. Kentucky, a #4 seed, plays Connecticut, the highest remaining seed at #3, in the nightcap.
VCU, one of the last teams invited to dance, looks for its sixth tournament win, which ordinarily would mean a championship; but under the new 68-team format, the Rams were one of four teams to advance from the play-in game. Butler makes its second straight Final Four appearance after losing to Duke in last year's championship game.
UConn, behind the inspirational play of junior guard Kemba Walker, seeks its 10th straight win.
Jim Calhoun's Huskies won five games in five days to take the Big East Tournament and have shown no sign of letting up. John Calipari's young Wildcats gelled late to earn a shot at another championship.
In predicting the Regional finals, Kentucky was my only correct pick. I didn't think Butler could repeat last year's success; Kansas was just too good for VCU; and I've been waiting for UConn to run out of gas since the tournament began.
The three pools I entered are already settled, so I have no rooting interest in any of the remaining teams; therefore I can't pick against myself. And I have no real feel for tonight's games.
Be that as it may, I'll try to salvage some credibility by going with Butler and Kentucky to make Monday's championship game. The smart money will take VCU and UConn.
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