My Final Four predictions for this year's NCAA tournament are Wisconsin, Duke, Kentucky, and Iowa State. All four of these teams have a legitimate chance at making it to the Final Four, they each are a well-rounded team, and they each have star players on their roster that could be the difference makers during a high intensity tournament game, on the biggest stage in college basketball.
Wisconsin, in my opinion, is one of the most dangerous teams in the entire tournament this year because of how well they space the floor on offense, creating scoring opportunities for everyone on the floor. The Badgers are led by Frank Kaminski, a 7'0 foot forward who is a contender for the national player of the year award, he can score from anywhere on the court, is a strong presence in the paint on defense, and is essentially an unstoppable offensive and defensive force for Wisconsin.
Junior forward Sam Dekker and Senior guard Traevon Jackson are also key players for the Badgers, and provide Wisconsin with more offensive scoring ability. Wisconsin is a very sound team defensively, which is an absolute necessity in the NCAA tournament, and with an almost identical starting line-up to the Wisconsin team that made a Final Four run last year, the Badgers are coming in as one of the most experienced teams in the tournament.
The Duke Blue Devils are another team I expect to make a deep run into the tournament this year. The Blue Devils had a serious letdown last year in the tournament, falling to Mercer in the first round, so coach Mike Krzyzewski and his team are poised and determined to do some damage this year. Duke has a formidable starting lineup, including the front runner for the national player of the year award, Freshman center Jahlil Okafor. Okafor is on the best post-up players in the nation, and provides Duke with the rebounding ability needed to get wins in the tournament. Also in the starting lineup are Tyus Jones, a guard with incredible dribble-drive ability who performs very well in big games, and Justice Winslow, a tenacious rebounder and another offensive weapon for the Blue Devils. Duke plays better against better teams, and I think that Okafor can lead Duke to victory against any team they might come across in the tournament.
Iowa State is my underdog pick to make it to the Final Four this year, and for good reason. Iowa State is often overlooked each year, because they are not a traditional basketball powerhouse like Duke or North Carolina, but this year they have a great chance to make a name for themselves. The Cyclones have a team that can spread the floor well because they are excellent from three-point range, and have six players that average over 10 points per game. Georges Niang, the Cyclones leading scorer, is a 6'8 forward who can drive, shoot from three, and is a good passer averaging 4 assists per game, and Niang will be deciding factor for the Cyclones. If Niang plays to his full potential, I believe that Iowa State will be serious contender.
Kentucky is, for most people, the favorite to win it all this year, and although I hate to jump on the bandwagon, I also believe that Kentucky will without question be in the Final Four. Kentucky has by far the deepest and most talented roster of any team in the country, and their undefeated season is further proof that they are absolutely capable of being the best in the tournament. Led by Sophomore guards Andrew and Aaron Harrison, the Wildcats have a group of players that could be considered one of the greatest college basketball teams of all time. Although the Wildcats have barely survived a few close games this season, and they will be truly tested at some point during the tournament, the leadership of the Harrison twins and senior center Willie Cauley-Stein, and the explosive playmaking brought by Tyler Ulis and Alex Poythress will be enough to lead Kentucky past any team they face on the road to the Final Four.
