Wichita State, Syracuse, Michigan and Louisville all succeeded this weekend to earn trips to Atlanta for the 2013 NCAA Final Four. These four teams will play in the final portion of the tournament for the national championship.
History was made Sunday afternoon for the Maize and Blue, as Michigan overcame Florida 79-59 to earn their first trip to the Final Four since 1993. Drew Sharp, writer for the Detroit Free Press, made an interesting note on Twitter following the game, stating that “as far as NCAA record book’s concerned” this is the first trip for Michigan to the Final Four since 1989.
The Fab Five era of Michigan basketball has been nixed from NCAA books due to sanctions and violations.
Syracuse overcame Marquette 55-39, which allowed Marquette the distinction of the lowest points scored throughout the tournament.
Ohio State lost 70-66 to the Shockers of Wichita State. The Buckeyes were the favorites heading into the matchup but failed to return to the Final Four.
Lastly, Louisville struck Duke down, 85-63. Louisville is the only No. 1 seed left in the tournament and will go on to face Wichita State, making them the favorites to advance to the championship game and possibly win it all. Michigan will face Syracuse in Atlanta for a chance to play for the championship.
With the Final Four set for next weekend, what do your brackets look like? The Pit chose Florida over Ohio State, but after this weekend, the only team chosen to make it to the Final Four was Louisville.
If Michigan can overcome Syracuse, there is no reason to doubt that they can win it all. Best case scenario for the Wolverines would be to pull out the victory over the Orange and hope for a Wichita State upset. If things go that way, Michigan can win it all. If they meet Louisville in the title game, they are as good as gone. Michigan should focus first on Syracuse, though.
Syracuse is in much of the same situation as Michigan. If they can win, they should hope for a Shockers upset. Louisville is the favorite to win it all at this point.
Wichita State has the toughest road ahead. Facing Louisville in the semifinals of the tournament, if they manage an upset they will then face Michigan or Syracuse, two teams that are also very strong and dangerous this deep in the game. The Shockers better be counting shooting stars this week if they hope to win it all.
Finally, Louisville are the favorites at this point. With a seemingly easy first game advantage, they should have little problem advancing to the title game. Michigan may be their best bet to win it all, as the Wolverines have shot inconsistently and wild at times in this tournament. The one thing that could hurt Louisville is the Kevin Ware injury, but after what they did tonight, there are no questions.
Prediction: Louisville vs. Syracuse, Louisville National Champions.
