Written on Friday, 01 April 2011 11:21
If you've followed this year's NCAA basketball tournament and you think there have been some real surprises, you're right. Of the five million brackets entered in ESPN.com's competition, only two (that's TWO), have predicted the 2011 Final Four correctly.
Some may have picked traditional powers like Kentucky and Connecticut, a few may have gambled on Butler, but suffice to say only two - for reasons known only to them - selected Virginia Commonwealth. The Rams, who only made the field of 64 after winning a "play-in" game, are the biggest shock inclusion among the basketball elite.
This weekend's event is live on ESPN and ESPN HD here in Australia and, if form holds, the final three games should be superb. Here's a rundown on the remaining teams:
Kentucky
Nickname: Wildcats
Location: Lexington, Kentucky
Undergraduate enrollment: 20,000
Coach: John Calipari, age 52
Final Four appearance: 14th (7 titles)
Best player: G Brandon Knight
Famous NBA star: John Wall, Washington Wizards
Notable alum: Actress Ashley Judd
In a nutshell: This is the third school that coach John Calipari has taken to the Final Four. The previous two - Massachusetts and Memphis - had their achievements erased after various NCAA violations, so it remains to be seen what will happen to UK after this year. Still, he's a remarkable coach and has perhaps his most well-balanced team in years.
TAB Sportsbet odds: $2.50
Connecticut
Nickname: Huskies
Location: Storrs, Connecticut
Undergraduate enrollment: 20,800
Coach: Jim Calhoun, age 68
Final Four appearance: 4th (2 titles)
Best player: G Kemba Walker
Famous NBA star: Ray Allen, Boston Celtics
Notable alum: Actress Meg Ryan
In a nutshell: Consistently one of the country's best programs, UConn struggled early. Coach Jim Calhoun is a wily old-timer who knows how to prepare a team for a stretch run. He's got one big-time superstar in Walker, who has been tremendous, and a bunch of good role players.
TAB Sportsbet odds: $3.25
Virginia Commonwealth
Nickname: Rams
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Undergraduate enrollment: 23,400
Coach: Shaka Smart, age 33
Final Four appearance: 1st
Best player: F Jamie Skeen
Famous NBA star: Eric Maynor, Oklahoma City Thunder
Notable alum: Author Tom Robbins (Even Cowgirls Get The Blues)
In a nutshell: This is an unbelievable story, with many experts - most notably ESPN's Jay Bilas - believing the Rams did not even belong in the tournament. Young coach Shaka Smart is the post-season's hottest property and with aggressive defense and timely three-point shooting, VCU has eliminated Georgetown, Purdue, Florida State and #1 seed Kansas.
TAB Sportsbet odds: $6.00
Butler
Nickname: Bulldogs
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Undergraduate enrollment: 4,000
Coach: Brad Stevens, age 34
Final Four appearance: 2nd
Best player: G Shelvin Mack
Not-so-famous NBA star: Ralph "Buckshot" O'Brien from the 1950s
Notable alum: Notorious cult leader Jim Jones
In a nutshell: Last year, Butler was the Cinderella story. Now they're back in the Final Four for the second consecutive year and coach Brad Stevens has established the program as one of the country's best. The Bulldogs are a disciplined bunch who aren't afraid of the big stage and don't panic in crunch time.
TAB Sportsbet odds: $4.50
TV Schedule (ESPN and ESPN HD)
Semi-Finals:
Sunday, 8 am: Butler v Virginia Commonwealth
Sunday, 10:30 am: Kentucky v UConn
Championship game:
Tuesday, 11 am
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