Point Guard
Trey Burke (Michigan)- Burke was just named the National Player of the Year. He willed his team to victory against Kansas, by hitting a three to tie the game as time expired. Along with his scoring he is also averaging 8 apg. Peyton Siva (Louisville)- Rick Pitino has called Siva one of the best leaders and players he has ever coached. Siva is playing his best basketball of his career right now. I give the edge to Burke because of his ability to score the ball.
Shooting Guard
Russ Smith (Louisville)- There is no quicker player from end to end that Smith, he can drive to the hoop 1 on 5 and score if he wants too. Smith is the leading scorer in the NCAA Tournament. He is also a tough defender. Tim Hardaway Jr. (Michigan)- Hardaway teams up with Burke to form the best backcourt in the country. He probably has the best mid-range game in the country. Smith has the quickness advantage, while Hardaway has the height advantage. Give me Smith because of his ability to score and get to the free throw line.
Small Forward
Luke Hancock (Louisville)- Without Hancock’s play Louisville is not it the championship game. Against the Shockers he scored 20 points, must of which came late. Louisville also has Wayne Blackshear in this spot. He is an athletic wing that can guard. Nik Stauskas (Michigan)- Stauskas will be the best shooter in this game but last time out he had 0 points. That game before that versus Florida though, he hit 6 three pointers. This players are the x factors for me. If one of these players get hot from three they could be the difference in the game.
Power Forward
Glenn Robinson III (Michigan)- Robinson is averaging 12.8 ppg in the NCAA Tournament ,not bad for a freshman. What makes him tough is he can score in a multiple of ways. Chane Behanan (Louisville)- Behanan does all the dirty work for the Cardinals. Last time out he was 1 rebound away from a double double. I give the advantage to Behanan because he is a big weight difference on Robinson. He should be able to post up on Robinson.
Center
Gorgui Dieng (Louisville)- No player has improved from his freshman year until now than Dieng. He is coming off a game in which he scored 0 points but the game just before that against Duke he had a double double. Mitch McGary (Michigan)- McGary has come out of nowhere this NCAA Tournament. He only started 2 games in the regular season, but now he is starting and coming off 3 straight double doubles. Dieng is a great shot blocker while McGary is strong and physical. I give Dieng the slight edge because of his all-around play.
Bench
Without the bench play for Louisville on Saturday they wouldn’t have advanced. The Louisville’s bench has outscored every team in the NCAA tournament. Michigan bench has only outscored their opponents in the NCAA tournament once.
Coaches
Rick Pitino is a hall of famer and John Beilein is making his first trip to the national championship game. Pitino’s already been too 2 titles and is trying to become the first coach to win 2 national championship at 2 different schools. These coaches have meant 4 times with Pitino winning 3 of them.
Prediction
Lousiville-70 Michigan -65
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Tags: Louisville, Michigan