Title Time!!

NCAA Title Tilts are on!!

The 2011-2012 NCAA mens and womens championship games are set with Kansas facing Kentucky later today in New Orleans for  the mens title and Notre Dame meeting Baylor for the womens crown in Denver on Tuesday.

Kansas vs. Kentucky

Not many predicted Kansas to be here in the pre-season. Most looked at it as a rebuilding year for the Jayhawks after losing the Morris twins and others. They have hit a hot streak at the right time of year after losing to Baylor in the Big 12 tournament. 

Kentucky has lived up to the hype but several experts are saying there could still be a loss of focus by the young team. The Wilcats have been shaken not too long ago when losing the SEC championship game to Vanderbilt.

Kentucky beat Kansas on a neutral court back in November but the Jayhawks would like to think they have improved since then. This game is also a championship rematch coaching wise with Bill Self facing off against John Calipari just as they did in 2008 when Kansas topped Calapari's Memphis squad. 

There is temptation to pick the upset here. Instead I''ll go with Kentucky surviving a major scare to grab the crown.

Kentucky by 7

Notre Dame vs. Baylor

Notre Dame returns to the Women's NCAA championship game to face another Big 12 opponent this season. After losing to Texas A&M in the title game last season, the Irish face an even tougher foe in undefeated Baylor.

In November, Baylor was too strong down the stretch for Notre Dame in their win over the Irish. This time they will have to keep their composure if they want to end the season a perfect 40-0. Expect them to do it.

Baylor by 8.

Women's Final Four picks....

Ladies Night...Final Four Style!!

The 2012 NCAA Women's Final Four comes to a head on Sunday night when UConn squares off against Big East foe Notre Dame in the first game before Baylor takes the court against Stanford for the two spots in Tuesday's championship game. 

UConn vs. Notre Dame

This will be the fourth meeting of the season for these two. Notre Dame swept the home and away regular season games before losing to UConn in the Big East tourney title game.

Both teams are on familiar ground in the Final Four. Neither team has been seriously tested thus far in the post season but this one could go down to the wire. I will give it to UConn purely on pedigree.

UConn by 3.

Stanford vs. Baylor

This one also shapes up well on paper as Stanford has only a loss to UConn and Baylor comes in undefeated. 

I think Baylor is slightly above the rest of the Final Four teams and will sweep past the Cardinal in this one.

Baylor by 11.

Back tomorrow with my pick for both Championship games (Mens&Womens).

Enjoy the games.