The Final Four

The NCAA has it right. In Basketball anyway.

The National Champion of the Division 1 Basketball is determined in what I consider, the best format in sport. Period.

 I know the purists out there will argue about the merits of a single elimination tournament, as the traditional best 2 out of 3 or 4 out of 7 playoff systems that the NHL and NBA use are the only way to really determine the best. I would disagree.

Every year in March, the tournament begins. It is called March Madness. I know a lot of you may not follow the NCAA, and a lot of you may not even be basketball fans...and if not (your loss) - that is fine, but at least have a look at this format for your sport and see what you think.

It is very simple really. The top 64 teams in the country who qualify for the tournament begin play on a Thursday and Friday. 32 games. By the end of Friday, there are 32 teams left. The basic principal is you win, you are in, you lose, good-bye. The remaining teams play again on Saturday and Sunday, by the end of Sunday....only 16 team are left............called the "Sweet Sixteen". The following weekend these remaining teams play again, with the winners moving on to the "Elite Eight".......and then after four more games we are left with "The Final Four".

It happens very quickly. It is an emotional tournament. There are upsets, amazing plays (some not so amazing) - for a basketball fan, there is nothing better. If ever there was a sport where I feel a coach makes a difference, this is it. Changing defences and adapting to other teams, is done on the fly. It is very intense, and a lot of fun.

As many upsets as there is every year, somehow the cream usually rises to the top.....and this year is no different.

Louisville Cardinals - This is their Ninth Final Four appearance.
Ohio State Buckeyes - Eleventh
Kentucky Wildcats - Fifteenth
Kansas Jayhawks - Fourteenth

This is a very solid Final Four. All of these teams have strengths, of course, that is why they are here.

Game 1 pits the Powerhouse from Kentucky playing the grinders of Louisville. On paper, The Wildcats should win this game. They are big and strong. The intangible here though is the Cardinals coach Rick Pitino. He has simply been amazing thus far, changing defences, full court presses etc. It will be fun to watch, I am cheering for Louisville.....but if I have to pick a winner I say Kentucky.

Game 2 features a couple more teams that we are not surprised to see here. Ohio State vs Kansas. This is a definite "too close to call" situation, so I am going with my gut and picking Kansas.

Both games are on Saturday night in New Orleans, with the winners determining the National Champion on Monday Night. My prediction for the winner? - Not very bold really, as I am not alone. I say the Wildcats of Kentucky will win the Crown.

It is a very exciting two week, an emotional roller coaster for fans and players, but to win an event like this is incredible. It is life changing for a lot of these kids.

I think it is such a great way to determine a "Champion" in any sport. I love it. If you have a choice on Saturday night of watching The Toronto Maple Leafs (ouch), or The NBA (and their millionaires) - why not change the channel and try some NCAA hoops, where heart and desire are front and centre in every minute of every play. Give it a try.