Final Four Preview

The 2010 NCCA College Basketball Tournament has been one of the most exciting in the past 20 years.  The old term, "Expect the unexpected," has truly played to form throughout the tournament as a number of surprise upsets (Ohio vs. Georgetown, Northern Iowa vs Kansas) and overall fantastic games (Kansas State vs Xavier) have dictated the entire first two weeks. 

The ManSpeak would like to help you prepare for what you might see this weekend, as a couple of outstanding match-ups take shape today.

One warning.  Saturday should be no different.  Expect the unexpected.

5. Butler (32-4) vs 5. Michigan State (28-8)The Cinderella Story has been well-documented this week regarding Butler's small size and the huge stage that they will be playing on this weekend in front of basically what will be a local crowd.  We aren't sure how much of a home-court advantage it will be though as Michigan State fans will come in droves and make sure their presence is heard.  You can be certain to see shots of Magic Johnson on the side-lines or in the stands leading a charge for the Spartans.  Do we know any famous former Butler Bulldogs? 

Not certain how much of a Cinderella story this really is, as Butler, disguised as a "mid-major" can play.  Look for this game to truly have a Hoosiers feel as Butler will not back down from the big boys at Michigan State. 

That doesn't mean we think Butler will win.  Tom Izzo is probably the best in the business and the experience this team had in the Final Four last season (ironically, also played in their own hometown) will give them the upper-hand in this game. 

All the pundits are saying Butler will prevail, but all of the pundits are once again wrong.  The Spartans superior athletic ability will help them dominate the backboards and Korie Lucious, who has played admirably since Spartan star Kalin Lucas went down, will lead Izzo's bunch in a slow them down, heavyweight brawl.  Butler, with their grit, will fight to the last whistle, but will come up short in this one.  Michigan State 63 Butler 54

1. Duke (33-5) vs 2. West Virginia (31-6)The ManSpeak would argue that the true Championship game was played last week when West Virginia soundly defeated number one seed Kentucky to advance to the Final Four.  The problem for the Mountaineers though, is that the tournament is not over yet. 

Duke, led by their outstanding Coach Mike Krzyzewski, has a team that is as gritty as ever.  Led by the very underrated (being underrated is hard to do at Duke) Jon Scheyer, the Blue Devils play their typical brand of in your face defense and 3 point bombing offense. 

West Virginia, who is not a particularly big team, is long at every position on the floor and could cause some problems in their 1-3-1 defense for the Blue Devils, a zone Coach K's boys likely have not seen thus far this season. 

Da'Sean Butler is an absolute stud, and has played with a will that won't let West Virigina lose.  Joe Mazzula will continue to play well in his new starting point guard role and West Virginia should win.  Look for a possible overtime game, as Scheyer and the Blue Devils are tough and will fight for Coach K until the end.  West Virigina 73 Duke 69 (1 OT)Should make for an entertaining night of basketball.  After reading this you may be convinced to see the Spartans and Mountaineers advance, but don't forget, expect the unexpected.