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NCAA Final Four Predictions 2014: Who Cuts Down The Nets Monday Night In Dallas?

By Nathan Giese

Mar 16, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Andrew Harrison (5) and Florida Gators guard Scottie Wilbekin (5) dive after the loose ball as time expires during the second half in the championship game for the SEC college basketball tournament at Georgia Dome. Florida defeated Kentucky 61-60. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Andrew Harrison (5) and Florida Gators guard Scottie Wilbekin (5) dive after the loose ball as time expires during the second half in the championship game for the SEC college basketball tournament at Georgia Dome. Florida defeated Kentucky 61-60. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Semi-Final Game 1: Florida Gators vs. UConn Huskies

Dec 2, 2013; Storrs, CT, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Shabazz Napier (13) shoots a three point shot in the last seconds of play against the Florida Gators in the second half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. UConn defeated Florida Gators 65-64. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2013; Storrs, CT, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Shabazz Napier (13) shoots a three point shot in the last seconds of play against the Florida Gators in the second half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. UConn defeated Florida Gators 65-64. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

The team many predicted to end the tournament as champions against a team some predicted to be out in the first round.

With two losses on the season, the Gators come in having won 30 straight games (longest in program history). Two more wins secures a national championship, but they run into the last team that was able to knock off Florida: the UConn Huskies.

In the first meeting, Huskies superstar Shabazz Napier led the way with 26 points and hit the game-winning buzzer-beating elbow jumper for the 65-64 victory. In the loss Scottie Wilbekin, playing in only his third game of the season after being suspended for the first four, left the game with three minutes left and did not return. Wilbekin is Florida’s top defender and had he been defending against Napier when he took that final shot, maybe the result would’ve been different.

UConn is on one of those runs that reminds you of their 2011 national championship run. During that run, the Huskies rode on the coattails of one star player (then it was Kemba Walker making magical things happen, now it’s Napier) before defeating Butler in the final. Very few expected UConn to be where they are, but history tends to repeat itself in the sports world once in a while.

Also absent for Florida in the initial meeting against the Huskies was Kasey Hill, leaving the Gators without a point guard for the last three minutes against UConn. This time the Gators will have a completely healthy roster and a team led by four seniors who made it to their first Final Four in four tries. Casey Prather, Will Yeguete, Patric Young and Wilbekin have been through the ringer to get to their first Final Four as a group. They are determined to not settle and have the inside presence UConn really doesn’t have.

The task for Florida will be stopping Napier. While it sounds pretty simple it’s nearly impossible to do. However it can be done. Louisville held Napier to nine points on 2-of-13 shooting in the AAC Tournament championship game. Wilbekin has been able to contain each opponent’s top guards from exploding for big games.

Prediction: Florida 66, UConn 58