For all of those who don’t know the final four games are tonight at 6 and 8:30 and they feature 2 pretty good matchups. The 6 oclock game features the #1 seeded Kentucky Wildcats against their instate rival in the #4 seeded Louisville Cardinals. For the later game the #2 seeded Ohio State Buckeyes are going to face the #2 seeded Kansas Jayhawks in what should be a matchup of pretty evenily ranked teams. Here are our staff’s predictions for tonights games: (Note to bettors:I would advise betting against whatever the majority of the BSB staff picks)

Eddie

Kentucky vs. Louisville: This should be a really intense game because it is between 2 in-state rivals that apparently hate each other and are fiercer toward one another than Duke and Carolina is. In terms of the actual game Kentucky is the much more talented team here and there is no real way to stop them because they distribute the ball so evenly and don’t have one speicific offensive strength. They are also the best team in the nation defensively with their incredible length and quickness and the human eraser Anthony Davis behind them. I think Kentucky wins this one fairly easily as their talent is just too much for Louisville to overcome. Kentucky 86-71

Ohio State vs. Kansas: This game on the other hand is a really even matchup between 2 number 2 seeds. I dont think either of these teams are great but they are both pretty good and both have their star big men in Thomas Robinson and Jared Sullinger. While that will certainly be the matchup that the NBA Scouts are watching I think the most important matchup of the night is the offensively gifted Tyshawn Taylor vs the best perimeter defender in the nation in Aaron Craft. How much Craft is able to frustrate Taylor could be the difference in this game. I am really on the fence in this one as they are so close and basically I am just going with Ohio State on this one on the pure coin flip. Ohio State 71-66

Jesse

Kentucky vs. Louisville: The energy of this game should be incredible with these two in-state rivals going at it. I like Louisville’s toughness a lot and I never bet against coach Pitino but I think the Cardinals are just too over matched talent-wise to come out on top in this one. To me Kentucky is the most talented team in the country (except for maybe UNC) and they’re just hitting their stride at the perfect time. Anthony Davis is the best defensive player in the country and has improved his offensive game a lot this year. I don’t think that he will have any trouble dominating the paint on both ends against the Cardinal bigs. Kentucky 89-68

Ohio State vs. Kansas: I think these two squads are pretty evenly matched and this should be a good grind it out type game. Of the two games this Saturday I think this one will be a lot slower paced but it should be a lot more competitive. To me Aaron Craft may be the most underrated player in the NCAA. Having a shut down defender on the perimeter is a huge advantage for the Buckeyes. Not only does Craft render the opposing teams point guard a non factor, but he totally disrupts the other teams ability to set up and run their offense smoothly. I think that with the Kansas offense already being hot and cold at times, Craft’s presence should be enough to disrupt their flow. I think that down low Sullinger will battle Thomas Robinson hard all game and slightly outplay him when it’s all said and done. Ohio State 68-65

Chris

Kentucky vs. Louisville: This Kentucky team is the best team that college basketball has seen in 20 years.  They should be able to handle the Louisville pressure well with Marquis Teague.  Once they get by the pressure, they have players who can finish at the rim and hit threes.  On the other side, Louisville doesn’t have the talent to go right at this Kentucky front line.  I see a similar game to the one against Baylor where the final score is closer than the game was.  Kentucky 81-67

Kansas vs. Ohio State:  The game of the night, it should be a great game for fans of basketball.  While this has been dubbed as Sullinger vs Robinson, that battle will matter little.  In fact, I think that Withey will get the assignment against Sullinger as he tends to struggle against size.  Likewise, Ohio State has a bit of an undersized on the other side of the court and both Withey vs. Deshaun Thomas and Sullinger vs. Robinson would favor Kansas.  This make me believe that Sullinger will match up with Withey.  The X factor of the game will be the Craft vs. Taylor who can be turnover prone.  If Craft can disrupt the Jayhawks offense, Ohio State stands a great chance to win.  In the first game between these two Taylor had 13 assists to go along with 7 turnovers.  I think that Taylor will hold his own and the Kansas front line will prove to be too much for Ohio State.  Kansas 78-71