In one of the most eagerly anticipated NCAA Tournament matchups in recent memory, the Kentucky Wildcats and the in-state rival Louisville Cardinals will square off in New Orleans on Saturday in the Final Four. The Wildcats are the favorites going in, but all bets are off in this game where the intensity is sure to be off the charts.
Final Four 2012 Predictions: How Does Louisville Match Up With Kentucky?
Bill Hanstock is a writer, author and Emmy Award-winning producer. He began writing for SB Nation in 2011.
Rob Dauster of SI.com runs down the matchup position by position to determine whether Louisville has what it takes to pull off the upset.
Small Forward
Simply put, Louisville does not have anyone who can match up with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Few have this season, but the Cardinals are going to find themselves at a severe disadvantage. What MKG provides the Wildcats is a spark in transition. No one in the country is more dangerous than he is in the open floor, as he can get up and down the court with the quickness of a point guard and finish around the rim with the efficiency of someone four inches taller. MKG is also a terror in the paint, both on the glass and in the post. He's as strong as any small forward in the country. Louisville will be playing a lot of zone against the Wildcats, but if the Cardinals are forced to go man -- as they were against Florida -- it will be interesting to see if Kyle Kuric and company will be able to contain Kidd-Gilchrist. At the other end, Kuric has struggled with shooting this season, but when he gets into a rhythm he is as dangerous as anyone.
Edge: Kentucky
The full article is well worth a read-through, so please click through to check it out for yourself.
For all news and information regarding the Kentucky Wildcats, please visit A Sea of Blue. For updates and perspective on the Louisville Cardinals, head on over to Card Chronicle. For complete coverage of the 2012 NCAA Tournament, stop by SB Nation’s dedicated tournament hub.
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