Kentucky: The Wildcats should win the national title next Monday. They have a unique level of talent and chemistry.
They're second and 12th, respectively, in Ken Pomeroy's adjusted
offensive and defensive efficiency ratings. Their roster of NBA
prospects is anchored by Anthony Davis (six blocks against Baylor), the national player of the year in many circles.
Nothing new. But throughout the NCAA tournament, the Wildcats have
showcased their dominance and continued to separate themselves from the
rest of the field. The Wildcats have weathered every obstacle during the
NCAA tournament, even Davis' early foul trouble against IU.
Iowa State's Royce White
had a career game and it wasn't enough to help the Cyclones avoid a
16-point loss in the third round. Indiana scored 90 points and still
suffered a 12-point loss against the Wildcats. Baylor took an early
five-point lead and suddenly the Twittersphere buzzed with talk of a
potential upset. And then, the Wildcats stopped abiding by the speed
limit and outclassed the Bears the rest of the way.
You don't need a Las Vegas bookie to convince you that the Wildcats are
the favorites in New Orleans. They've lost just two games this season.
And although John Calipari's 2010 squad, led by John Wall, might have
had more overall talent, it didn't create this gap between it and the
other elite teams around the country. That team didn't even make the
Final Four.
Everything a coach would ever want on a team, Calipari has. To win title
No. 1, the former UMass, Memphis and NBA head coach just needs his
players to continue on this path. When the Wildcats execute, they're
better than every team in the country.
And that's why they should win the national title. Sometimes, it's not
as simple as talent. Weird things can happen, especially this time of
year. But the Big Blue have the advantage over every other squad in New Orleans.
Whatever its opponents do, Kentucky finds a way to top it. Few reasons
to believe that trend won't continue in the last stage of the 2011-12
college basketball season.
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