Sorry, Cinderella. That includes you, Gonzaga, who still has never been to the Final Four. This year, it’s all about big brother.
Uh, as in college basketball powerhouses, not the synonym for an intrusive government.
Anyway, they are all stocked with talented players, topnotch coaches and tons of experience—well, except for Kentucky. So how do you choose whom to back in the biggest games of the year? RedEye is here to help, using categories that might go overlooked.
MICHIGAN STATE (27-11)
How they got there: By playing the underdog card. Or at least by flying under the radar. Which is not easy for the Spartans to do.
More Top Picks Snorkel Set
Chicago cred: Gavin Schilling hails from the city and is one of the Spartans’ most consistent contributors.
Celeb cred: Magic Johnson is everywhere Michigan State goes. Nothing like having basketball royalty backing you.
Best name: Freshman guard Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn Jr. Speaks for itself.
.
DUKE (33-4)
How they got there: Mostly by getting to the foul line when the going gets tough.
Chicago cred: Jahlil Okafor. You know, the first player to be named ACC freshman and player of the year in the same season.
Celeb cred: Tony Romo has the Blue Devils’ back, as does Rob Lowe. We assume actual Rob Lowe, not one of his unnerving DirecTV alter egos.
Best name: Sophomore forward Sean Obi. As in -Wan Kenobi. Or so we’d like to believe.
.
KENTUCKY (38-0)
How they got there: All those McDonald’s All-Americans has something to do with it. Also, they’re way taller than everyone else.
Chicago cred: Freshman guard Tyler Ulis played his high school ball in the south suburbs.
Celeb cred: Ashley Judd is a given. But did you know John Calipari attended Drake’s high school graduation?
Best name: Sophomore guard Dominique Hawkins. Rolls off the tongue and is fitting for basketball.
.
WISCONSIN (35-3)
How they got there: A combination of second-half comebacks and Sam Dekker’s daggers late in games.
Chicago cred: Senior center Frank Kaminsky, a Wooden Award finalist, hails from the western suburbs, and Deerfield’s Duje Dukan was a Bulls ball boy growing up.
Celeb cred: Aaron Rodgers can’t stop tweeting about the Badgers, and he and girlfriend Olivia Munn have been spotted at games.
Best name: Senior forward Duje Dukan, pronounced “DOO-yay DOOK-in.” Tough to say, but pretty to look at.
.
.
FINAL FOUR
More Top Picks Best Book Stands For Textbooks
Saturday in Indianapolis, games on CBS
Michigan State vs. Duke, 5:09 p.m.
Wisconsin vs. Kentucky, 7:49 p.m.