When talking about UConn and Kentucky basketball you normally think of teams that are in contention in the tournament, and teams who are usually ranked in the top 10 for the AP polls. Not this year. Kentucky opened the season being ranked number one in the nation, but immediately dropped out of the top 25. UConn had some success through out the season, but never lived up to the standard the standard they hold for basketball. Entering the tournament neither of these schools were projected to make it through the second round, and some predicted them to lose in the first round. But as we now enter the final four, the two teams are still alive.
UConn was a seven seed starting the tournament, and had to beat Villanova, then Big 12 champs Iowa State, and then the Big 10 tournament champs in Michigan State. Their road was not easy, considering both Michigan State and Iowa State had been picked by a lot of people to win the whole thing. They will face the number one overall seeded Florida Gators on Saturday, and this will be an even tougher test than the ones they have already had. Most experts are picking Florida to win this game, but do not be surprised if Connecticut is with them the whole way, they did dominate MSU and ISU for practically the whole game.
Kentucky started the tournament as a eight seed, and had to face an undefeated Wichita State in the second round. After they handed the Shockers their first loss, they then had to play last years champions, the Louisville Cardinals, and after the shocking win over the in-state rivals, they faced the Big 10 champions, Michigan. So, just like the UConn Huskies, the Wildcats faced a very tough road to get to the final four. On Saturday the Wildcats will face the Wisconsin Badgers, who just knocked out the one seeded Arizona Wildcats.
Both Connecticut and Kentucky do not have easy roads to winning the tournament, but with their seeds, adn the teams they had to face, it is impressive that they are even in the Final Four.
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