Final Four Preview

Tomorrows Final Four brings about two intriguing match-ups for two completely different reasons.

In the first game, the number one seed, Ohio State, will take on the number two seed, Georgetown. This game will showcase a giant match-up at center, with 7' Buckeye freshmen, Greg Oden, going head-to-head with 7'2" Hoyas center, Roy Hibbert.

Oden, considered the top prospect in college behind Texas phenom, Kevin Durant, is certainly more skilled and athletic than Hibbert. But this may be counteracted by Georgetown's 2-3 zone defense, which will try to prohibit entry passes into Oden. This may allow Ohio State's other fab freshman to go off, however, as Mike Conley Jr. has the quickness to penetrate the zone, as well as the shooting touch to shoot over it. If this happens, look for Georgetown's best player and reigning Big East Player of the Year, Jeff Green, to step up and take control of the game, as Georgetown's experience will lead them to the championship game.

The second game is a rematch of last year's championship game, as number one seeded Florida takes on number two seeded UCLA. Last year, the Gators completely dominated the Bruins, leading to a 73-57 victory. But don't look for this year's game to be far more competitive.

Florida, led by big men Al Horford and Joakim Noah, and swingman Corey Brewer, definitely have championship experience, as their entire starting five played on last year's national championship team. They also have a very athletic front line in Horford and Noah, along with deadly three point shooting from Brewer, Taurean Green, and Lee Humphrey. Defensively, Horford and Noah patrol the paint, blocking anything in their reach. And on the perimeter, Brewer has the length and speed to shut down any guard in the country, making Florida a likely candidate to return to the championship game.

But don't look for UCLA to go down without a fight, as they are led by First Team All-American Aaron Afflalo and standout guard Darren Collison. The Bruins also bring a lot of experience, having only lost guard Jordan Farmar from last year's team.

The key to UCLA's success will come in their ability to stop the Gators' high-flying offense. The Bruins have accomplished this so far in the tournament, holding the likes of Pittsburgh and Kansas to only fifty-five points. But if this doesn't work, the Bruins' only hope will be a huge scoring day from Afflalo, Collison, and sophomore guard Josh Shipp.

In my opinion, the championship game will be between Georgetown and Florida.