MARCH MADNESS FINAL 4 is set...WILDCATS beat the 'VILLE and JAYHAWKS beat the BUCKEYES earlier in the SEASON but STAKES are HIGHER 2nd time around

The 2012 NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL Final 4 is set and it will be the KENTUCKY WILDCATS of LEXINGTON, the LOUISVILLE CARDINALS of the 'VILLE, the KANSAS JAYHAWKS of LAWRENCE, and THE Ohio State BUCKEYES.

These games will pit rematches of games earlier in the season when the WILDCATS beat the 'VILLE on NEW YEAR'S Eve in LEXINGTON 69-62. The WILDCATS ONLY led at the half 36-33 and then held on to beat the CARDS by 7. Russ SMITH of the 'VILLE led the CARDS with 30 points on 10-20 shooting and 3-8 from the ARC. Michael KIDD-GILCHRIST led Kentucky with 24 points and 19 boards.

At the time the CARDS were 12-1 going into the game and the WILDCATS were 12-1 also having suffered their 1st defeat of the season about a week and a half ago in BLOOMINGTON Indiana to the HOOSIERS.

The BUCKEYES traveled to PHOG ALLEN Fieldhouse in Lawrence Kansas on Decemeber 10th, 2011 and without a healthy JJ SULLINGER took an L 78-67. The JAYHAWKS also had their PG Tyshawn TAYLOR playing at about 75% in that one and it was his play that impacted the outcome of the game.

DeShaun THOMAS led the BUCKEYES with 19 and 5 helpers and T-ROB of the JAYHAWKS led KANSAS with 21 and 7 off the glass. It was the BUCKEYES 1st loss of the season and the JAYHAWKS were still trying to find themselves and a solid rotation.

Now the STAKES have climbed to an all time high now that we are 2 games away from one of these fine INSTITUTIONS from being crowned 2012 NATIONAL CHAMPION.

As for the TAR HEELS, Baylor BEARS, GATORS, and ORANGE there were be massive line up changes next season as that FLU BUG called EARLY Entry to the NBA will deplete most likely all 4 schools with the TAR HEELS reloading the most to date and losing at least their whole front court.

Expect the BEARS to lose both JONES III and Q-MILLER, the ORANGE to lose WAITERS, the GATORS to lose Bradley BEAL, and the TARHEELS might lose POINT GOD Kendall MARSHALL to go with the 3 front court players.

It is what it is in College Basketball but before we start talking who is staying or going it will be the 2012 NCAA FINAL 4 from the BIG EASY in New Orleans Louisiana.

NOTE: FINAL 4 analysis coming later in the WEEK...........