2011 Final Four Odds: Connecticut Huskies vs. Kentucky Wildcats
Friday, April 01, 2011
By Gordon P. Quinn
No. 3 Connecticut Huskies (30-9) vs. No. 4 Kentucky Wildcats (29-8)
The Kentucky Wildcats are back in the Final Four for the first time since 1998 where they'll face the Connecticut Huskies on Saturday at Reliant Stadium. The game is scheduled to start at 8:49PM ET on CBS.
The Wildcats earned their Final Four berth with a 76-69 win over North Carolina in the Elite 8 as a -1.5 point favourite. The Huskies got past Arizona in the Elite 8, 65-63 as a -3.5 point favourite.
In the Saturday clash, Kentucky are a 2.5-point favorites on Sportsbook.com’s NCAA basketball odds.
Entering the season, neither team really knew what to expect from its frontcourt. Even now, the frontcourt production from both teams has been relatively inconsistent. With that said, Kentucky's unsung hero in the NCAA tournament has been Josh Harrellson. The 6’10” senior is averaging 14.8 points and 9.0 rebounds in the NCAA tournament. Terrence Jones has faded a bit of late, but the lefty is still an impossible matchup and an effective player. Darius Miller is an underappreciated offensive player, although he is averaging just 7.0 points in his last three games. Eloy Vargas provides depth.
For Connecticut, Alex Oriakhi and Roscoe Smith lead the way. Oriakhi is an excellent rebounder who needs to provide scoring against Kentucky, while Smith is an inside-outside option who has lacked aggressiveness thus far. Jamal Coombs-McDaniel has shown flashes of brilliance, and can be a matchup problem for opponents. Charles Okwandu, Tyler Olander and Niels Giffey can rebound and defend.
Arguably the two best players left in the NCAA tournament will square off at the point guard position.
Connecticut's Kemba Walker has been one of the best players in the country all season, putting the Huskies on his back and carrying them. He can single-handedly bring UConn a title. Kentucky's Brandon Knight has been up and down in the NCAA tournament, but hit the game-winning shots in each of his "down games."
Kentucky will look to guard Walker with DeAndre Liggins, one of the nation's premier on-ball defenders. Connecticut has received steady production from freshman Jeremy Lamb, who has emerged as a legitimate second option next to Walker. Shabazz Napier is a good defender who comes off the bench and allows Walker to play off the ball. Kentucky gets outside shooting from Doron Lamb, who is as good as anyone when he is knocking down perimeter jumpers.
Both teams obviously enter the game on a hot streak. Kentucky won the SEC tournament, while Connecticut ripped off five wins in five days to emerge as the Big East tournament champion.
Kentucky is inexperienced for the most part, with three freshmen in the starting line-up. Connecticut has a couple of players with Final Four experience, led by Walker. The effect Walker has had on UConn this season has been immeasurable. His mere presence gives the Huskies a chance to win every night. One interesting to thing to watch: neither team has been much of a favourite this season -- now that they are the highest seeded teams left, will that change?
Neither team expected to be in this position, but the winner will be the odds-on choice to win the national championship. For Connecticut to continue its winning ways, it needs a big night from Kemba Walker, as well as its supporting cast. Jeremy Lamb needs to knock down shots and Alex Oriakhi has to provide inside production. Defensively, the Huskies need to guard the perimeter. Kentucky shoots the ball as well as anyone in the country, while UConn has struggled to defend the 3-point shot at times this season.
On the other side, the Wildcats need to keep Walker on the perimeter and not let him get going in transition or allow him multiple opportunities in the lane. He had 29 points and six assists when the two teams met in November.
The Pick: Kentucky Wildcats -2.5
Prepared and compiled by: Gordon P. Quinn
Source: CBS
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alex oriakhi - brandon knight - charles okwandu - connecticut huskies - darius miller - deandre liggins - doron lamb - elite 8 - eloy vargas - final four
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