Rob's Final Four Preview

Duke vs Maryland
Duke vs. Maryland IV has dominated college basketball discussion this past week and rightfully so. These teams have fought fiercely and competitively over 3 games this regular season with Duke winning two of those. With Gary Williams coaching his 1st Final Four and Coach Mike Krzyzewski taking Duke to their 9th Final Four in the last 16 years, it certainly makes for an interesting match-up. Maryland certainly knows they can play with Duke; they lost 2 games to the Blue Devils this season by a combined total of four points and the game they won was at Cameron Indoor.

Keys for Duke: Duke must shoot well behind the arc. They have made 44 trifectas during their tourney run so far with Jason Williams leading the way. What's scary for other teams is that the whole starting line-up minus Casey Sander can knock it down. Also, Boozer and Sanders will need to step up their game to deal with the sizzling Lonny Baxter and the undervalued Wilcox. Duke's pressure defense may be the key to this game - Battier is set to free to roam in Coach K's scheme and could be a nightmare for Maryland.

Keys for Maryland: Sounds like a broken record, but Terrence Morris must come to play. An off game from him could spell an early plane ride home for Maryland. Steve Blake can't turn the ball over and he must apply pressure to Jason Williams. He did it well in the regular season games. Maryland has to get the ball inside to Lonny Baxter. He has been torching opponents this tournament. Finally, Maryland must not let Duke go on one of their patented runs (ask UCLA when Jason Williams scored 19 straight points for Duke).

Rob's Take: Battier will not be denied, and Coach K's experience will give Duke enough of an advantage. Maryland will come to play… but it's Duke who gets to play again Monday night.
Duke 90 Maryland 87

Michigan State vs Arizona
Michigan State returns to their third straight Final Four and is in the midst of defending their title. Although Izzo's team has been complaining about a lack of respect, the fact remains that they ARE in Minneapolis and no one will take them lightly. Arizona overcame a lot of adversity this year with Woods being suspended and Lute Olson losing his wife to cancer. The fact that they are in the Final Four is a tribute to the coaching job Olson has done. With both teams having a strong inside presence and great guard play, this should be a great match up.

Keys for Michigan State: Michigan State has a +74 margin on the boards during the tournament. They must continue to pound the glass with Zach Randolph, the reliable Andre Hutson, and hot-shooting Jason Richardson. Charlie Bell has also really stepped up his game. He must continue to shoot the ball well to keep Arizona honest and keep them from crowding the interior. Michigan State plays great half-court defense led again by Charlie Bell. If they continue to do so - they will give Arizona's frontcourt all kinds of fits in finding the open shot.

Keys for Arizona: Will Loren Woods bring his game to Minnesota? If Woods plays the way he is capable he is a defensive stopper and can go a long way toward neutralizing the front court of Michigan State. The Wildcats will also need Wright to step it up to help out Woods in rebounding. The front court of Jason Gardner and Gilbert Arenas has been shooting very well and they must continue to do. Finally, the Wildcats are the more athletic team, so they must use that to their advantage and run the floor against a bigger Michigan State team - while being careful of not turning it over (averaging 17 TO per game).

Rob's Take: Michigan State is a tough, experienced team, but the Wildcats athleticism, Woods defensive presence, and their win-it-all-for-Lute 'tude will carry them to the final game.
Arizona 76 Michigan St 73