Huskies Have Wildcat Rematch in Final Four

Connecticut Huskies

2010-11 Record: 30–9 (9–9 Big East)
Head Coach: Jim Calhoun (4th Final Four)

Projected Starters: G – Kemba Walker (23.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.5 apg), G – Shabazz Napier (8.0 ppg, 3.0 apg, 2.4 rpg), G/F – Jeremy Lamb (11.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg), F – Roscoe Smith (6.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.2 bpg), C – Alex Oriakhi (9.6 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.6 bpg)

Will win the national title if… Kemba Walker keeps producing the way he has in every tournament he has played in this season. First, Walker dominated the Maui Invitational, then he took over the Big East Tourney (carrying UConn to five wins in five nights). Walker — who is averaging 26.8 points, 6.8 assists and 5.3 boards in the NCAA Tournament — must rise to the occasion once again.

Will lose to Kentucky on Saturday if… coach Jim Calhoun’s club doesn’t play the type of perimeter defense it did against the Wildcats earlier this year, when the Huskies held Brandon Knight to six points (on 3-of-15 shooting). Josh Harrellson and Terrence Jones are dangerous down low, but Knight is the leader of the “dribble drive offense” — like Derrick Rose and John Wall were.

West Region

Best Team: Connecticut
Biggest Upset: Arizona over Duke
Most Surprising Team: Arizona
Most Disappointing Team: Duke

Best Player: Derrick Williams, Arizona. Although he was unable to lead the U of A to the Final Four, Williams did everything he could — including a game-saving block and game-winning 3-point play.

Honorable Mention: Kemba Walker, Connecticut; Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut; Nolan Smith, Duke; Solomon Hill, Arizona; Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State; Darius Morris, Michigan

Best Game: Arizona 70, Texas 69, Second Round — A tough five-second violation by Texas freshman Corey Joseph resulted in a highlight reel old-fashioned 3-point play by Arizona superstar Derrick Williams in a thrilling finish.

Most Disappointing Game: Connecticut 74, San Diego State 67, Sweet 16 — The Aztecs were not ready for Kemba Walker and the Huskies. And, as many expected, poor free-throw shooting (46.2 percent vs. UConn) hurt SDSU in the loss.