Final Four Preview - Kentucky

Kentucky Wildcats (36-2)

Regular Season SEC Champion
#1 Seed South Regional

Tournament Wins:

W 81-66 vs #16 Western Kentucky
W 87-71 vs #8 Iowa State
W 102-90 vs #4 Indiana
W 82-70 vs #3 Baylor

Starters:

#23 Anthony Davis - Freshman - 6'10" 220 lbs - The projected number one pick in the draft can do it all. He rebounds, he blocks shots, he can score, he can defend multiple positions, he makes free throws... Davis is averaging a double-double in the NCAA Tournament and has blocked 18 shots through the first four games.

Photo Credit: bleacherreport.com

#3 Terrence Jones - Sophomore - 6'9" 252 lbs - His overall numbers are down from his freshman year, but he still projects to be a late lottery pick in the draft. Jones can score from anywhere on the floor, is a tremendous ball handler and is an excellent passer. He's got a huge wingspan of over 7 feet and has become a much better rebounder in this his second season.

Photo Credit: zimbio.com

#14 Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - Freshman - 6'7" 232 lbs - A tough, phyiscal defender with a tremendous motor and terrific athletic ability, Kidd-Gilchrist is another member of Kentucky's terrific freshman class. After a slow start in the tournament he's averaged 21.5 points over the past two games against Indiana and Baylor. He projects to be a Top 5 pick in this year's draft.

Photo Credit: kentucky.straitpinkie.com

#20 Doron Lamb - Sophomore - 6'4" 210 lbs - A big time scorer with a terrific mid-range game, Lamb leads the Wildcats in scoring in the NCAA Tournament going for at least 14 points in all 4 games. Lamb has hit close to 57% of his shots from the field and has connected on 9 of 15 3-pointers in the tourney so far. ESPN Analyst Chad Ford has him ranked 44th overall among draft prospects

Photo Credit: bleacherreport.com

#25 Marquis Teague - Freshman - 6'2" 189 lbs - A lightning quick point guard who starts the high-powered Kentucky offense with his high tempo. Equipped with a terrific first step, and able to get into the lane and finish at the rim, Teague leads the Cats with 21 assists in the tournament. Chad Ford has Teague ranked 34th among draft prospects.

Photo Credit: mattdavidky.blogspot.com

Key Reserve:

#1 Darius Miller - Senior - 6'8" 225 lbs - One of just two seniors on Kentucky's roster, Miller has been a key reserve for the Cats for the past four years. Miller has a pair of 19 point games in the tournament, and can present a lot of matchup problems with his great size and athleticism at his position. He is ranked 118th on Chad Ford's draft board.

Photo Credit: ajc.com

Coach:

John Calipari - Calipari is in his 3rd season at Kentucky and hopes to avoid getting knocked out of the Final Four for the second straight year. Calipari has won National Coach of the Year Awards in 1996, 2008 and 2009, but is still in search of his first NCAA Championship. He came the closest to one in 2008 with Memphis, but lost in the Finals to Kansas thanks to Mario Chalmers' late game heroics. However, that entire season for Memphis was later vacated by the NCAA due to academic issues.

Photo Credit: nationofblue.com

Where I had them finishing:

Kentucky is actually my bracket's saving grace as I have them winning the whole thing, and here they are, still alive at the end.

Notes:

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had an absolute monster of a game in Kentucky's 69-62 win over Louisville on New Year's Eve. The freshman finished with 24 points and 19 rebounds as the Wildcats absolutely dominated the Cardinals on the glass 49-28. Anthony Davis added 18 points and 6 blocks in the win.