Final Four Set

The four teams that will be participating in the Final Four are now set. It is probably the unlikeliest four that are in, however. Butler was the first to clinch a berth, with their win over Kansas St. Kansas St averages 80 points a game, but they were only able to score 56 points. Jacob Pullen, Denis Clemente, and Curtis KellyCurtis Kelly were responsible for 46 out of the 56 points, as Butler was able to shut down the rest of the team. Gordon Hayward led them with 22 points, and also contributed a game-high 9 rebounds. Butler will be playing in their first Final Four in their home state.

The second team to clinch was West Virginia, in a battle of 1 vs 2. West Virginia was able to handle the explosiveness of Kentucky, and Kentucky was unable to knock down three-pointers in the loss. John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins struggled to get going all game, and Wall eventually fouled out. West Virginia's offense was supposed to struggle without Darryl Bryant. That wasn't the case as Joe Mazzulla was able to get in the lane at will for 17 points. This is West Virginia's first berth in the Final Four since 1959.

Michigan St. and Duke were the last two to clinch with victories over Tennessee and Baylor respectively. Tennessee battled Michigan St hard, and it came down to the last 10 seconds. J.P. Prince fouled Raymar MorganRaymar Morgan with less than two seconds left with the game tied at 69. Morgan knocked down a free throw and missed the second purposely to put them ahead, leaving Tennessee with virtually no time for a final shot. Durrell SummersDurrell Summers led Michigan St. with 21 points. This is their second straight year in the Final Four. Last year, they lost to North Carolina in the title game.

Duke was able to outlast Baylor with a big run at the end. Nolan SmithNolan Smith and Jon ScheyerJon Scheyer led the charge, with Smith scoring 29 and Scheyer chipping in 20. Kyle SinglerKyle Singler, their other big threat, only scored 5 points and was 0 for 10 from the field. LaceDarius Dunn led Baylor with 22 points, and Ekpe Udoh chipped in 18 points in the loss. This is the farthest Baylor has ever gone in the NCAA Tournament. They weren't picked to compete in the Big 12 in the preseason, but they were competetive all year and they'll probably be that way next year also.

Duke will definitely be looked at as favorites, as they are the only #1 seed remaining. However, West Virginia looks to be the strongest team out of the four. Their length and toughness makes them a tough out, and Michigan St. can match their toughness as well. They also may get Darryl Bryant back for the Final Four, so that'll be a lift for them. West Virginia and Michigan St. will definitely battle it out in the title game, and West Virginia will come out on top in a sluggish, low-scoring affair.