If you miss the first two picks...you haven't been paying attention. Stanford's Andrew Luck (12) and Baylor's Robert Griffin III (10) will go first and second to the Colts and Redskins, respectively. (Photo from Getty Images via tsminteractive.com)

No. 1: Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Dawson: It’s a lock.

McGoey: Yes, it is.

No. 2: Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Dawson: So is this.

McGoey: Ditto.

No. 3: Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT, USC (Dawson); Minnesota – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU (McGoey)

Dawson: I think the Vikes are smart here and protect Christian Ponder for the next ten years. The other option here is Morris Claiborne, who fills a huge hole.

McGoey: This is the pick that could blow the whole round wide open. I think Kalil is a much smarter choice, but the Vikings organization has been actively distancing itself from an offensive line pick, talking about how they want a “game-changer.” Maybe it’s all a smokescreen and they end up taking Kalil, but I can’t help but think that Claiborne will be the pick.

Will USC tackle Matt Kalil (left) or LSU corner Morris Claiborne (right) be the pick for Minnesota at No. 3? The fate of the first round may depend on it. (Photo from vikings.com)

No. 4: Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Dawson: Richardson is the best RB prospect since Adrian Peterson. Need another reason? Last year’s Madden cover boy Peyton Hillis is gone.

McGoey: After plenty of speculation about Ryan Tannehill, Mike Holmgren and co. finally realize that he won’t be an exceptional upgrade over Colt McCoy for the time being. Instead, the Browns nab a dominant offensive weapon who should be able to produce despite McCoy.

No. 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Claiborne (Dawson); Tampa Bay – Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College (McGoey)

Dawson: With Ronde Barber on his last legs, Tampa will be looking to provide some depth to its secondary. Claiborne is the best cover man in this year’s draft and looks fit for the big leagues.

McGoey: The Bucs want Richardson or Claiborne. Bad. But with both of them off the board, Tampa turns to the tackling machine from BC, the best defensive player available. As a Saints fan, I don’t want to see my team play against him twice a year. He’s a heat-seeking missile.

No. 6: St. Louis Rams – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (Dawson); St. Louis – Kalil (McGoey)

Dawson: St. Louis would love for Kalil to drop here, but Blackmon also fills a team need: helping Sam Bradford.

McGoey: Well, for me, Kalil does drop to them, and he’s who the Rams probably would have picked had they stayed at No. 2, so they will be ecstatic about the ability to add all those picks from Washington and still get their man. There will be opportunities to get receivers in later rounds, but it’s hard to pass up a potential bookend tackle.

No. 7: Philadelphia Eagles (TRADE) – Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina (Dawson); Jacksonville Jaguars – Blackmon (McGoey)

Dawson: Philadelphia loves Ingram and makes a bold play.

McGoey: Jacksonville wants out of this pick now, but as soon as Blackmon is available, any chance of that happening goes out the window. The Jags get their top man when they thought he wouldn’t be available.

No. 8: Miami Dolphins – Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Dawson: The hype is over people. Tannehill is good, but no team will trade up to No. 3 to grab him. Miami can rest easy now.

McGoey: I agree with part of that. No team is going to trade up to No. 3 for Tannehill; common knowledge seems to be that if you really want to trade up for him, you only have to get to Jacksonville’s seventh pick. But I’ll quibble over how good Tannehill really is. For a team with many other needs, reaching so heavily for a quarterback sure seems foolish.

No. 9: Carolina Panthers – Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Dawson: Carolina’s defense needs a boost. Poe will not be a top-10 pick because Cox is the real freak at DT. Cox’s pass-rushing ability inside will push him into the top 10.

McGoey: Agreed. There’s a chance Cox could go as high as sixth to the Rams, but don’t expect him to drop past here. South Carolina’s Stephon Gilmore is a potential wild card, but the Panthers nab the best player available.

No. 10: Buffalo Bills – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa (Dawson); New York Jets (TRADE) – Ingram (McGoey)

Dawson: After the loss of Jason Peters, it has been a tough time for Buffalo’s offensive line.

McGoey: This is where I see the Ingram trade happening. The Jets have a history of winding up with less draft picks than normal, so they won’t mind parting with one or two to move up and get the top pass rusher in the draft.

No. 11: Kansas City Chiefs – Kuechly (Dawson); Kansas City – David DeCastro, G, Stanford (McGoey)

Dawson: Kuechly is one of the best players in the draft. Don’t be surprised to see him go as high as fifth. Kansas City doesn’t really need a linebacker, but I honestly can’t see this type of talent falling past Kansas City.

McGoey: Ditto the reasoning. For me, Kuechly is gone, but DeCastro is a similar type of talent who can’t be passed on. He will step in right away and become the anchor of a strong running game that has added Peyton Hillis and gets Jamaal Charles back from injury.

No. 12: Seattle Seahawks – DeCastro (Dawson); New England Patriots (TRADE) – Mark Barron, S, Alabama (McGoey)

Dawson: Seattle is thin at guard after releasing Robert Gallery. DeCastro would be a safe and smart pick.

McGoey: This was going to be the spot for my bold move of the draft: New England packaging its two first-rounders to move up and nab Mark Barron to be the new Rodney Harrison. Then I realized it was Bill Belichick I was talking about. Then I realized that this is a mock draft – and if I want the Patriots to move up for the Alabama safety, then they move up, damnit! In all likelihood, the Patriots will do what they do and trade down rather than up, but this is a big “what if?” game anyway.

In at least one mock, Alabama safety Mark Barron is the target of a major trade. (Photo from Getty Images via bleacherreport.com)

No. 13: Arizona Cardinals – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame (Dawson); Arizona – Reiff (McGoey)

Dawson: Michael Floyd could be better than Justin Blackmon. Having Floyd and Fitzgerald is too much to pass up for Arizona

McGoey: Floyd could turn out to be a stud, and then I’ll eat my words. But until then, I think that in a division with Chris Long and Aldon Smith, offensive tackle has to be the priority, especially for a team like Arizona, whose line is an absolute mess. Levi Brown is not an NFL left tackle.

No. 14: Dallas Cowboys – Barron (Dawson); Dallas – Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina (McGoey)

Dawson: The Cowboys have had safety problems for quite a while and Jerry Jones is reportedly in love with the Alabama prospect.

McGoey: There’s been a lot of noise about Dontari Poe of Memphis going here, and in truth, the best pick as far as team needs go might be Stephon Gilmore to pair with new signing Brandon Carr at cornerback. But Jerry Jones steps in to stop the fall of Coples, a player who was looked at as a potential top-five pick before a subpar senior season. He has loads of skill and will allow the ‘Boys to keep Jay Ratliff clogging the middle of the 3-4.

No. 15: Jacksonville Jaguars (TRADE) – Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina (Dawson); Philadelphia Eagles – Michael Brockers, DT, LSU (McGoey)

Dawson: Stephon Gilmore falls a bit in this mock, but Jacksonville will take him if they can find a way to move back. He might even go at No. 7.

McGoey: I don’t see Gilmore being around at 15 as him falling. For me, drafting Gilmore in the top 10 means you think he’s essentially on the same level as Morris Claiborne, and I don’t think that’s the case. I see this from the angle that Gilmore’s value has been inflated lately, and 12-20 is the proper range for him in the draft. But Philly doesn’t need a corner right away, with Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, so they make a classic Andy Reid pick and take Brockers to beef up the inside of the defensive line.

No. 16: New York Jets – Coples (Dawson); Buffalo Bills (TRADE) – Floyd (McGoey)

Dawson: Quinton Coples won’t be a top-10 pick for a number of reasons. Rex Ryan, however, will love the freakish ability.

McGoey: The Bills probably wanted Floyd, Reiff, or Gilmore, but the tenth pick was a little steep for all of them. They traded back, and Reiff is gone, so this pick is easier. Floyd can team with Stevie Johnson to form a dynamic receiving duo for Ryan Fitzpatrick.

No. 17: Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland) – Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama (Dawson); Gilmore (McGoey)

Dawson: There will be a run on pass-rushers in the first-round. Cincinnati will feel the heat and take Upshaw here.

McGoey: The way I see it is that Cincy is looking to leave the first round with a corner and a pass-rusher. If Gilmore falls to them, they will recognize that there will still be rushers aplenty at No. 21, but that the Gamecocks star won’t be available then.

No. 18: San Diego Chargers – Chandler Jones, DE/OLB, Syracuse

Dawson: San Diego needs a pass rusher desperately. With Floyd off the board, there isn’t any temptation for the Chargers to screw this one up by taking a receiver.

McGoey: I disagree…there’s plenty of temptation for them to screw this one up with a receiver. It’s getting right into the thick of Kendall Wright range. But on my board, this pick comes down to Jones and Upshaw, and I think the Bolts opt for the upside and prototypical size of Jones over the more consistent college production of Upshaw.

No. 19: Chicago Bears – Brockers (Dawson); Chicago – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama (McGoey)

Dawson: Chicago needs an offensive lineman, but they don’t value Stanford’s Jonathan Martin or Georgia’s Cordy Glenn high enough.

McGoey: The Bears’ wishlist is probably headed by Brockers and Coples. But both of them are off the board in this mock, so the Bears grab a corner who could have gone a few spots higher.

No. 20: Tennessee Titans – Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis (Dawson); Tennessee – Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois (McGoey)

Dawson: Dontari Poe brings back memories of how dominant Albert Haynesworth was during his time with the Titans.

McGoey: I still think that when all is said and done, Poe drops a few spots farther than this. Tennessee added Kamerion Wimbley from the Raiders this offseason, but still desperately needs to improve its pass rush. Mercilus put forth a strong showing for the Illini in 2011, so he gets the call.

Memphis nose tackle Dontari Poe (74) was compared to Ravens star Haloti Ngata after his unbelievable Combine performance, but his stock has cooled lately. Where will the mammoth middle-stuffer land? (Photo from ogdraft.com)

No. 21: Cincinnati – Kirkpatrick (Dawson); Cincinnati – Upshaw (McGoey)

Dawson: Cincinnati covets Kirkpatrick and might even take him at 17 if they feel threatened.

McGoey: I think the best way to use this pick for a Bengals team with a lot of cap room is to make Steelers wideout Mike Wallace a Godfather offer. You instantly have one of the top receiving tandems in the league with Wallace and A.J. Green, and it crushes the passing game of one of your bitter division rivals. But it seems no team is going after Wallace (is there something we don’t know?), and Marvin Lewis reportedly loves Upshaw, so the Bengals will be happy the Bama product is still around.

No. 22: Cleveland (from Atlanta) – Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor (Dawson); Cleveland – Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia (McGoey)

Dawson: By selecting two offensive weapons in the first round, Cleveland shows they are serious about keeping Colt McCoy at the helm.

McGoey: I have to disagree with that logic. If anything, it’s about having weapons available for Matt Barkley in 2013. But regardless of the quarterback, I think the Browns realize that receivers like Stephen Hill of Georgia Tech and Rueben Randle of LSU will still be available in Round 2, so they go with a mammoth lineman who can play guard or slide to right tackle. Glenn could be opening holes for Richardson for years to come.

No. 23: Detroit Lions – Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Dawson: The Lions need to keep Matthew Stafford on his feet.

McGoey: Agreed.

No. 24: Pittsburgh Steelers – Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama (Dawson); Poe (McGoey)

Dawson: This is a match made in heaven. The blue-chip linebacker out of Alabama will be welcomed with open arms in Pittsburgh.

McGoey: Perhaps no team (other than Miami deciding whether or not to take Tannehill) has a tougher choice than the Steelers do in my mock. Hardly any player other than Hightower has been mocked to the Black and Yellow, and he is a great fit as a 3-4 middle linebacker, a need for Pittsburgh. But I think the value of Poe, who has been mocked as high as ninth to the Panthers, is too great to pass up, especially with Casey Hampton’s injury issues and advancing age. The Steelers are a best player available-type team, and I think Poe is the top guy available on their board here.

No. 25: Green Bay Packers (TRADE) – Shea McClellin, DE/OLB, Boise State (Dawson); Denver Broncos – Wright (McGoey)

Dawson: The Packers outsmart the Belichick regime here and jump ahead to take McClellin.

McGoey: I like the logic, but in my mock, there’s no more New England to jump, since they moved up for Mark Barron. A defensive tackle is what the Broncos need the most, after the loss of Brodrick Bunkley, but instead, John Elway and crew go for the best available and snag the falling Wright to give Peyton Manning another weapon to work with.

No. 26: Houston Texans – Mercilus (Dawson); Houston – Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford (McGoey)

Dawson: Houston will not spend its first pick on a wide receiver unless Floyd somehow drops this far. Mercilus will provide Houston with great depth along the defense.

McGoey: Given that I think the goal of a first-round pick is to bring in someone who can contribute right away, rather than building depth, I think that bringing in another weapon for former Virginia Cavalier Matt Schaub is the top need rather than rush linebacker. Brooks Reed and Connor Barwin are an outstanding pass-rush duo, so that position takes a backseat as Houston focuses on the fact that Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels can now both be labeled as injury-prone. Fleener is big like a tight end, but runs and catches like a receiver. He will be a fun new toy for Schaub.

No. 27: New England – Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC (Dawson); Seattle (TRADE) – Hightower (McGoey)

Dawson: Perry has versatility. The Pats are versatility.

McGoey: I like Perry here, but the problem is New England isn’t picking. Seattle is, and their first priority should be replacing departed inside ‘backer David Hawthorne. Hightower probably fits better in a 3-4, but his physical style of play will hold up in the 4-3, especially in a division populated by power backs Frank Gore, Steven Jackson, and Beanie Wells.

The Patriots' draft strategy is always unpredictable. Could USC edge rusher Nick Perry be in their plan? (Photo from gamedayr.com)

No. 28: Denver (TRADE) – Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State (Dawson); Green Bay – McClellin (McGoey)

Dawson: Denver is in a bad spot. The Broncos have huge holes along their defensive interior and there is a big drop-off after Cox, Brockers and Poe. Jerel Worthy jumps into the first round because of team needs. Denver could trade out of the first round entirely.

McGoey: For me, the Pack gets their man without having to move up. Perry is a possibility here, as is Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith, due to the health concerns with Nick Collins. But McClellin has been compared to Clay Matthews, so who better for him to team up with?

No. 29: Baltimore Ravens – Peter Konz, C/G, Wisconsin

Dawson: With Matt Birk gone, Konz fills a hole immediately. I really don’t see Baltimore going receiver here like other mocks.

McGoey: Well, Birk is actually back for another year. But don’t expect the elder statesman to remain around long. The likely plan would be for Konz to step in at guard for the departed Ben Grubbs this year, then slide over to center when Birk retires. Peter King reportedly is adamant that Konz won’t be the Ravens’ pick though. Perhaps it’s time to give Georgia Tech’s Stephen Hill a call?

No. 30: San Francisco 49ers – Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech (Dawson); San Francisco – Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin (McGoey)

Dawson: San Francisco signed Mario Manningham but still needs another wideout to stay competitive in the NFC.

McGoey: But didn’t they sign someone else too? You know…Randy Moss? My gut feeling is that this pick will be either Zeitler or fast-rising guard Amini Silatolu of Midwestern State, and the reputation is that Wisconsin linemen come into the league as road-graders. The departed Adam Snyder gets replaced, and the San Francisco running game keeps on trucking.

No. 31: New England – Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame (Dawson); Seattle (TRADE) – Lavonte David, OLB, Nebraska (McGoey)

Dawson: A smart, highly productive safety, Smith sounds like the type of player Belichick is all about.

McGoey: The undersized David sneaks into the first round via this trade, as the Seahawks happen to be in the market for linebackers suited specifically to the 4-3, their front of choice. Nick Perry could go here as well, but he seems to be more of a 3-4 rush linebacker type.

No. 32: New York Giants – Fleener (Dawson); Perry (McGoey)

Dawson: Somebody has to learn the importance of the tight end position from the Patriots…why not the team that beat them in the Super Bowl? Coby Fleener could be special.

McGoey: As the Super Bowl champs, the Giants have the luxury of taking the best player available. Doug Martin, the running back from Boise State, could be a possibility here, as could Ohio State tackle Mike Adams (or Jonathan Martin if he drops) to bolster the offensive line. But Jerry Reese can’t pass up Perry, a new weapon to add to the G-Men’s defensive arsenal. He could be a matchup nightmare in several different situations for years to come with his size and speed.

            The Tar Heels jumped out to a big lead early, touching Virginia starting pitcher Artie Lewicki for four runs in the second inning.  The Tar Heels scored all four runs in the inning without an extra base hit and they played small ball for the entire game, preferring to sacrifice bunt runners into scoring position rather than rely on extra base hits.

            Despite the rough second, Lewicki settled down and lasted into the fifth inning, giving up four runs on six hits, five of which came in the second inning.  The Cavaliers tried to claw back into the game as Stephen Bruno led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a solo home run into the left field bleachers.  The home run was the third of the season for Bruno.  The Wahoos cut the UNC lead to 4-2 in the fifth when Bruno hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded and one out.  However, one run was all the Cavaliers would get in the inning, and the Tar Heels extended their lead again in the top of the sixth on an RBI single by Parks Jordan off of Virginia reliever Kyle Crockett.

            Unlike the Tar Heels, the Cavaliers could not string together a group of hits that would lead to a big inning.  Except for that second inning, the Virginia pitching staff kept the Wahoos in the game, allowing just three hits and one run after the four run second.  Benton Moss for North Carolina threw six innings and struck out nine UVa batters while earning the win.  Michael Morin came into the game in the eighth and got the final four outs to earn the save.

            With the loss, the Cavaliers remain in third place in the Coastal Division in ACC play and are three games behind both North Carolina and Miami.  The Tar Heels next face High Point in Chapel Hill while Virginia takes on Richmond in Charlottesville, hoping to end its home losing streak.

Miranda Mason shows you how easy it is to register to get in the game and save a life. The University of Virginia football program hosted it’s third annual bone marrow registry on grounds Monday April 16.

Star tailback Perry Jones scored two touchdowns to lead the Orange team to a 20-17 victory over the Blue team in Virginia's annual spring football game. (Photo from thesabre.com)

Over the weekend, the Virginia football team took the field at Scott Stadium for the annual Orange and Blue spring game, a chance for Mike London and the coaching staff to evaluate where their players have improved (or regressed, as the case may be) since the end of last season and a chance for Virginia fans to start stirring up their excitement for the next season before this school year is even over. The Orange team, made up of the first-team offense and the second-team defense, defeated the Blue squad (the top “D” and the second-string offense) in a surprisingly exciting 20-17 game, behind two rushing touchdowns from Perry Jones. Jones will be a major focal point for Bill Lazor’s offense in 2012, but that was a given. What else did we learn from the first scrimmage of the new season? Let’s find out.

The passing game will be healthy for the foreseeable future. Returning starting quarterback Michael Rocco, who improved his game steadily as the 2011 season went on, looked sharp for much of the game after shaking off a little rust on the Orange team’s first series. He did not toss a touchdown, but his decision-making was solid, and he put crisp balls where his receivers could get to them. Sophomore David Watford, Rocco’s backup, looked improved as well. The Hampton product impressed with his arm strength and athleticism, and seems set to earn the No. 2 spot ahead of early enrollee Greyson Lambert. Speaking of which…

Don’t expect to see Greyson Lambert suit up this year. The 6’5” signal-caller from Georgia, one of the only recruits to enroll early and participate in the game, did not come in until the second half. He looked sharp on his first drive, completing all four of his passes for 54 yards and a touchdown to tailback Kevin Parks. But after that drive, he looked a little shakier, completing just two of his next eight. London and Lazor are smitten with Watford’s ability, so he will get the nod as the backup QB, which makes it more likely that Lambert will redshirt in 2012 in order to gain some separation, class-wise, from Watford. More on the passing game…

The person who picks up where Kris Burd left off last year as a top target will not be a wide receiver. Virginia’s old moniker of “Tight End U” looks set to make a comeback this year. Young guns Jake McGee and Zachary Swanson both produced early and often. McGee in particular was a top target of Rocco and Watford for the Orange team; he had a long catch and great open-field run on the first drive and nearly turned a medium-length pass from Watford into a second-half touchdown. Add returners Colter Phillips, who missed the game due to injury, and Paul Freedman to that mix, as well as the receiving ability of Jones and Parks out of the backfield, and 2012 could be another year of relatively low wide receiver production for the Cavaliers.

We haven’t seen the true Virginia running game yet. In a game where only one returning starter on the offensive line took the field (Morgan Moses, who slid from right tackle to left tackle), all four touchdowns were still scored by running backs. Jones powered in his two touchdown runs, Parks scored on a swing pass, and Khalek Shepherd busted through a truck-sized hole and cruised 75 yards for a second-half touchdown. Even with the improvement in the passing game so far this offseason, look for the ground attack to be a major focal point for London and Lazor, especially early in the season.

There are a ton of new faces patrolling Virginia’s defense this season. The defensive line has been decimated by the departures of ends Cam Johnson and Matt Conrath and tackle Nick Jenkins. The secondary lost star cornerback Chase Minnifield, safeties Rodney McLeod and Corey Mosley, and top backup Dom Joseph to graduation. On top of that, middle linebacker Steve Greer and defensive end Billy Schautz did not play in the spring game due to injury. Sophomore corner Demetrious Nicholson and senior linebacker LaRoy Reynolds were the only returning starters to see action Saturday. Let’s just say the heralded recruiting trio of defensive ends Eli Harold and Michael Moore and linebacker Kwontie Moore can’t get to Charlottesville fast enough.

Special teams will be hugely important again in 2012 – and it is an area that needs a lot of work. Virginia lost both of its kickers, placekicker Robert Randolph and kickoff specialist Chris Hinkebein, and punter Jimmy Howell to graduation. On top of that, the departed Minnifield was the team’s most sure-handed punt returner. One year later, the Cavaliers’ special teams unit is searching desperately to fill those spots. Sophomore Alec Vozenilek seems to have stepped into the punter slot fairly well, but a kicking competition is likely to carry on into the summer between junior Drew Jarrett, who made two field goals for the Orange team, and redshirt freshman Ian Frye, who boomed a 42-yarder for the Blue squad. The spot of focus will be punt returner, though – a position that the Cavaliers struggled to fill effectively after Minnifield suffered a midseason injury. Sophomore Dominique Terrell, unfortunately, appears to have not gotten over his ball-security issues, fumbling a punt, although he was bailed out on the field by a halo interference penalty. Sophomore tailback Clinton Richardson also muffed one of Vozenilek’s kicks, which seems likely to take him out of the running. Nicholson and sophomore wide receiver Darius Jennings fielded their kicks somewhat surely, indicating that they are likely to be the first in line for the spot. Another option could be Perry Jones, who returned a few punts last year and displayed some explosiveness, but London may want to keep his star player focused on offense and out of possible injury situations.

11 seniors were recognized at  this last regular season game, Senior Night, including attackers Steele Stanwick and Chris Bocklet and goalkeeper Rob Fortunato. Stankwick is also one of 10 national finalists for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award and the winner will be determined in May and announced at the 2012 NCAA Championship.

The Cavaliers (10-2, 2-1 ACC) did not look like the best team in the nation out on the field last night in front of the 7234 fans in attendance , however, they did split possession with Duke pretty evenly. Duke (11-3, 2-1 ACC) outshot Virginia 42-33 but the Cavaliers managed more saves than Duke and ended the game 16-12 in saves. Both teams won the face-off an equal number of times and the Blue Devils had 39 ground balls, whereas Virginia was not far behind with 37. Head coach Dom Starsia realized his team could have the first touch on the ball, but sometimes could not carry through with the play to make a goal. “We might win the draw more often than not, but until you get the ball settled in your offensive end in the hands of one of your leaders on offense, you haven’t really won the faceoff,” he said.

Both of Duke’s top scorers made goals yesterday and the two that follow close behind in points also contributed big points to the game. Midfielder Jordan Wolf, the team leader with 49 points, made two goals and three assists in this game. Attacker Josh Dionne made four of the 13 goals for the Blue Devils and Christian Walsh was not far behind with his three goal contribution.

Duke’s Wolf made the first goal of the game with 11:16 to go in the first quarter. The Cavaliers went scoreless in the first quarter for the first time this season and Matt White evened the score at 1-1 off of an assist by midfielder Colin Briggs two minutes into the second half. The Blue Devils responded with a 3-0 run, the third goal coming off the left side of the goal by Josh Dionne only a minute and a half into the second half. Dionne faced no challenge in adding three more goals in the third quarter as part of the team’s 6-0 run, while Virginia went scoreless for another quarter.

Virginia Junior Matt White acquired a foul for pushing in the second quarter of the game and this added a 30 second advantage for the opposing team.

If it was not already evident that Virginia was not going to gain the lead, it was clear after the fourth period. Sophomore defender Luke Duprey swept the ball into the goal, with some help from Jordan Wolf, only 40 seconds into the last quarter. The Cavaliers responded with 13:42 remaining in the game with a goal by Briggs, assisted by All-American Steele Stanwick. Stanwick tried to bring up the score with another assist and a goal, but this came too late in the game. Sophomore Mark Cockerton’s goal at 7:06 proved the best strategy for Virginia as three players formed a triangle around the goal and forced the ball in. Duke’s defense formed a wall against the Cavaliers and they really had to force their way in. Fans started to leave the stadium as Duke finished off the game with two goals by sophomore attacker Christian Walsh, the last goal unassisted with 18 seconds remaining.

“They really challenged us on the perimeter, probably more than we have been. I don’t think we really got going until the fourth quarter there,” Stanwick said, reassuring that the team wasn’t playing their best at the game.

Coach Starsia also had similar input about Virginia’s performance. “We needed to weigh them down … we needed to have sustained possessions in which we really made it work for a long period of time. We didn’t have that in us today,” he said

Virginia will host the ACC Tournament next weekend at Klockner stadium. This loss allowed the Blue Devils to clinch the No. 1 seed in the tournament. Duke will face fourth-seeded Maryland at 5 p.m. Friday and Virginia will take on third-seeded North Carolina at 7:30 p.m. in the second semifinal. The ACC Championship game will be Sunday at 3 p.m. and all games will be covered by ESPNU.

The interesting thing about last year’s tournament is that it was great and dramatic, but Tiger and Phil are not the first things you think about.  Rather, I think about Rory quacking his drive on the 10^th hole so far left that Marx rolled over in his grave.  The image of his shirt untucked, face red, eyes on the verge of bursting still eats at me.  Luckily, he cleaned up at Congressional a few months later in the US Open so apparently it does not eat at him so much.  Yet, that image makes us forget what was one of the most superb back nines in Masters history. Yes, that would be Charl Schwartzel’s back nine.  Wait who? Not important, really, but just realize that birdieing out the last 4 holes at Augusta on Sunday to win is about as easy as climbing K2…blindfolded…in swim trunks.  Alas, if he’s anything like the most recent South African to win the Masters (I’m looking at you Trevor Immelman), we really won’t ever hear from him again.  Thanks for the drama, C Schwartz, but it doesn’t look like you’ll be getting noticed again.  No, this year’s Masters will build off of what didn’t happen last year for the aforementioned triumvirate.

While Rory was coughing up a hairball the size of a Fiat 500 last year, Tiger Woods had a share of the lead…but did not win.  What started out as a potentially historic charge ended very un-Tiger like with a three putt bogey on the 12^th hole and a missed 5 foot eagle on the 15^th.  Then again, Tiger does NOT do comebacks, so that in itself was an un-Tiger like circumstance, a feat he was unlikely to add to his résumé.  Meanwhile, that lovable (often loathable) loaf Phil Mickelson was doing about as good a job defending his Masters title as Newt Gingrich is getting delegates in the GOP primaries (“Pretty Poor” for 500, Alex).  He was completely mundane and average which, along with Tiger’s shrinking quickly on the back nine, took away a fair number of viewers.  So, the world’s next great golfer, the world’s greatest golfer ever, and the people’s choice for greatest golfer (gag me with a 5 iron) all lost us money…they lost to the field.  This year, that will not be the case.

Currently, Rory McIlroy is the number two ranked player in the world but he is arguably the most feared because of his resilience last year and continued winning ways…behind Tiger Woods, of course.  His statement of a victory at Bay Hill has many asking the formerly automatic question of “Tiger or the field”.  One thing to note, unlike last year, is that Tiger is making those putts that only he could make previously, the ones that he did not blink at while everyone else was shaking like a middle school boy next to a cute girl.  Essentially, the two most feared golfers are at the top of their game coming into the Masters, so do not take the field in that office pool.  Keep in mind, Rory has famously said he’d love to face the Tiger he remembers watching in his youth (to which Tiger responded with obvious annoyance).  Well, youngster, I think Tiger is more than happy to show what he still has and beat the blarney out of you in the process.

And then there’s Phil Mickelson.  Kind of quiet of late, taking family trips, gingerly going through the schedule…except when Tiger is involved.  If anyone thinks they enjoy each other’s company, you probably also think John Chaney wasn’t that angry with John Calipari when he threatened to kill him at a press conference.  The intensity with which Phil annihilated Tiger at Pebble Beach earlier this season (one of Tiger’s favorite courses, mind you) seems to be his sole drive right now.  Phil is getting older (41) and his health concerns are no secret (arthritis) along with his increasing focus on his family.  He has, admittedly, become the second best golfer of this era and he really can’t catch Tiger.  Yet, he can beat him every remaining time out.  If he beats this new generation’s most promising golfer in the process, so be it.  The effort at Pebble should be an indicator that he wants to be seen as Tiger’s rival, even at the end of their careers.  Just look at his losing in a playoff the following week at Riviera.  Don’t you think it would have been a little different with Tiger present?  I certainly do.

I don’t want to say it’s all about Tiger this week (yes I do) but it is.  Rory wants to beat the real Tiger he idolized and take the torch of a new era.  Phil wants to beat the Tiger he loathes and again cut away at his generational pedestal.  Tiger wants to beat everyone and their fats yaps and then concoct a Nike commercial with Phil Knight that tells everyone to observe the four letter word expressed through his middle digit.  As far as anyone should be concerned, it is just the three of them on that course in Augusta, Georgia.  Sure, the likes of Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer, or some other formidable player could pop up with a lead, but even they know this weekend is beyond them.  The once stable earth of the golf world is now the San Andreas Fault on the verge of a massive quake.  It is not only important to see which player, which structure, bears the era-shaking best but also how the story is told, the x-factor in this Masters.

I am, of course, referring to Jim Nantz.  As a long time commentator all over CBS, we are familiar with his one-liners that (to his delight) embody certain events.  He started in 1986 with, “the Bear has come out of hibernation,” when Jack Nicklaus made his mind boggling charge to win at 46.  In 1997, as Tiger Woods symbolically and powerfully ran away from the field, Nantz gave us, “a win for the ages.”  OK, that was a bit too planned but it was a long time coming that week and, given the history of Augusta and the obvious talent of Woods, it was understandable.  Then, while embraced by many as perfectly pitched given the circumstances, there was his call of Phil’s 2010 Masters win as, “a win for the family.” It’s true, both Mickelson’s wife and mother were dealing with cancer  and that binding it all together was poignant but if that’s all you think it was about it is wise to dig deeper.  I don’t even mean just to the fact that Tiger was returning from his long absence post scandal.  While that certainly sits juxtaposed to Phil’s concern for his family and is an obvious expression of a mark against Tiger, it’s still more than that.  Tiger is not very talkative.  Phil never stops and always has an opinion.  If we are to believe Hank Haney’s book, Tiger hates that aspect of Phil.  But, Jim Nantz likely loves it, and why not?  If you are a media member trying to fraternize with an athlete, you would certainly prefer the fast-talking, jovial, big time gambling, hamburger eating good ‘ol boy to the aloof, reserved, curt robot.  At the same time, that has nothing to do with what is going on between the ropes.

Be it Rory, Tiger, or Phil, they are all competitors and want to end up with a green blazer on their backs Sunday night.  Sure, emotions can effect a player in their minds (remember Ben Crenshaw falling to his knees in ’95 when he won the week after Harvey Penick died), but that’s not what we are watching.  Editorializing the action on the course as basically a golf play-by-play guy is not what we need from Jim Nantz, contrary to his belief.  Leave it up to Nick Faldo to tell us about how the bogey on 11 effects the tee shot on 12.  Leave it up to John Feinstein to write an article (or a book) about the holistic effects of Rory winning and leaving Phil and Tiger in the dust.  But let’s not wait for Jim Nantz to try and upstage everyone with some line that is anymore than a statement on the certain greatness that will be the play in this year’s Masters Tournament.  It will be amazing on its own, Jim, and comment on how these are all-time players in this shifting era, but do not make their win bigger than is necessary. No one will win a Nobel Prize for their efforts.  Give us the golf because the rest will unfold without anyone’s aid.  Don’t say that this will be something Rory can share with his tennis playing girlfriend.  Don’t say Phil can take a happy vacation with his family as he has the peace of being one of the greatest players ever.  Don’t say Tiger has returned from the depths of inner turmoil and resurrected his seemingly uncertain future at his favorite course (really, don’t dare say resurrected this weekend when discussing someone playing a game).  Don’t sit in Butler Cabin on Sunday having been up all night producing lines like, “the family man rises above with his heart”, “the clear minded youth takes the reins from the heavy headed cowboys riding off into the sunset”, or “what a way to fight off the demons of the past two years by winning on this hallowed ground”.  No, do what Billy Payne and the members of Augusta National Country Club want you to do.  Embrace the glory of this tournament, from the breathtaking undulation to the beautifully manicured landscape to the high level of golf being played.  And just the golf.  The story will write itself as this talented triumvirate vies for the most prized fashion item in the game.

I have little doubt that this will be the greatest Masters Tournament I ever observe, but let me observe it, let us all observe it.  Help me make sense of certain things, but we are not friends.  You’re not sitting next to me having an ongoing conversation while we watch the events unfold.  You just happen to have a great view of all of the action.  Tell me what you see that I cannot from hundreds of miles away.  Rory, Tiger, and Phil will change the landscape of the game this weekend, and they will do that on their own.  Televised sports allows the athletes to be the authors of history, so let’s not muddle their accomplishments by trying to write the story as they write it themselves.

Kentucky's Anthony Davis (23) and Kansas's Thomas Robinson (0) square off to see who goes home as the 2012 NCAA Champion. (AP photo/Getty Images)

This is it.

“Monday Night.”

The night every college basketball team dreams of at the start of the season.

The night one team will cut down the nets as national champion.

And boy, is there one hell of a game to be played.

Kentucky, the top overall seed and the prohibitive championship favorite for some time now, squares off against Kansas tonight in New Orleans to decide who gets to call themselves the top dogs of college basketball. John Calipari, generally known as the best recruiter in the game, leads Kentucky’s cadre of talented youngsters (six of the Wildcats’ top seven rotation players are sophomores or younger, and all six played in the McDonald’s All-American Game in high school) against Bill Self, the winner of the Naismith Coach of the Year award for 2012, and a Kansas squad built on experience rather than reputation (the Jayhawks’ top seven are all upperclassmen, none of whom played in a well-known high school all-star game).

With just a few hours to go before tipoff, let’s start by rehashing the tournament up to this point – a pre-emptive “One Shining Moment,” if you will.

Best game: Kentucky-Indiana, Sweet 16. The highest-scoring game of the tournament, this rematch of Big Blue’s only regular-season loss did not disappoint. All five of Indiana’s starters scored in double figures, led by 27 from Christian Watford, the last-second hero of the first game. But Kentucky was even better. An ultra-efficient performance by guard Darius Miller (14 points from the field on just eight shots, plus 5-for-5 from the foul line) and an impressive double-double by Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (24 points, 10 rebounds – six of them offensive boards) made up for a relatively quiet night from Anthony Davis and gave fans their first glimpse of the Wildcats running top-flight competition into the ground in the tournament.

Best comeback: BYU-Iona, first round. While certainly not the most high-profile matchup of the Dance, the Cougars and the Gaels played to an exciting finish. BYU, just one year removed from Jimmermania, came back from 25 points down, a tournament record, to earn a spot in the round of 64, by holding Iona, the nation’s top-scoring team, to just 17 second-half points.

Best player: Davis. Consideration has to be given to Kansas’s Thomas Robinson, who has posted an impressive 16.4 points and 11.6 rebounds in the tournament, but Kentucky’s freshman star has posted almost the exact same line – 15.2 and 11.6 – but has added an unbelievable 4.6 blocks per game as well. His AP Player of the Year award is well-deserved.

Most impactful moment: North Carolina thought this was the year that their collection of talent would bring the title back to Chapel Hill again. But when point guard Kendall Marshall crashed to the floor against Creighton and got up with a fractured wrist, those hopes went up in smoke. Marshall was the straw that stirred the Tar Heels’ drink, and his absence was clear in Carolina’s Elite Eight defeat at the hands of Kansas.

What this year’s tournament will be remembered for: Relatively few upsets. Sure, two 15-seeds toppled 2-seeds this year, the first time that has ever happened, and double-digit seeds Ohio and North Carolina State were whiskers away from facing each other in a regional final. But on the whole, this was the NCAA Tournament where the chalk prevailed. Only one top seed bowed out before the regional finals (Michigan State), and the entire Elite Eight calls the country’s power conferences home. 2012 will be remembered as the year the blue-bloods duked it out for alpha-dog status.

Thanks for that momentary indulgence. I always get a little sad when the tournament draws to a close, so a brief pause to reminisce always helps. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming; let’s size up the Wildcats and the Jayhawks.

Tale of the Tape

How they got here: Kentucky, the winner of an at-large berth, defeated #16 Western Kentucky 81-66 in the second round, #8 Iowa State 87-71 in the third round, #4 Indiana 102-90 in the Sweet 16, #3 Baylor 82-70 in the Elite Eight, and #4 Louisville 69-61 in the Final Four. Kansas, also an at-large team, took down #15 Detroit 65-50 in the second round, #10 Purdue 63-60 in the third round, #11 North Carolina State 60-57 in the Sweet 16, #1 North Carolina 80-67 in the Elite Eight, and #2 Ohio State 64-62 in the Final Four.

Starting Lineups:

Kentucky: G Marquis Teague (Fr.), G Doron Lamb (So.), F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Fr.), F Terrence Jones (So.), F Anthony Davis (Fr.)

Kansas: G Tyshawn Taylor (Sr.), G Elijah Johnson (Jr.), G Travis Releford (RS Jr.), F Thomas Robinson (Jr.), C Jeff Withey (RS Jr.)

The Wildcats have so many different players that can beat a team. Lamb is a deadly three-point shooter. Kidd-Gilchrist is an athletic slasher with a nose for offensive rebounds. Jones, when he plays hard, is a versatile combo forward who can go inside or outside. And then there’s Davis. The freshman sensation is a destructive defensive force, but his underrated offensive game helps power Kentucky’s success. Davis shoots over 60% from the field, which means he gets his points without hogging the ball, a key for a team with so many talented scorers. The lone weak link might be Teague, who has shown flashes of star ability but has also played like the freshman he is sometimes. If he gets into hot water with turnovers or if Davis gets in foul trouble, Kentucky could be in trouble.

For Kansas, the offense revolves around the inside-outside tandem of Taylor and Robinson. Taylor has struggled from deep in the tournament, but took over the game against North Carolina. Robinson is a double-double machine who gets his numbers despite double teams and facing forwards like John Henson of North Carolina. But the key for Kansas might be the seven-footer Withey, who shut down Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger in the Final Four, holding the sophomore star to 5-for-19 shooting from the field. He will have to be at the top of his game defensively to limit Kentucky’s second chances and force the Wildcats into tough shots at the rim.

Advantage: Kentucky

Bench:

Kentucky: Sr. G/F Darius Miller (10.1 ppg, 47.5 FG%, 37.4 3PT%), Fr. F Kyle Wiltjer (5.1 ppg, 44.1 FG%, 43.8 3PT%)

Kansas: Sr. G Conner Teahan (5.6 ppg, 33.8 3PT%, 83.9 FT%), Jr. F Kevin Young (3.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 48.0 FG%)

Miller has been a supersub for Kentucky this year, filling in whenever someone misses a game. He can stroke from downtown and guard almost every position on the floor. Wiltjer, a McDonald’s All-American like his teammates Teague, Kidd-Gilchrist, and Davis, has not seen heavy playing time this season, but is a major-league three-point shooter in his own right. For the Jayhawks, the first two are off the bench are Teahan, a former walk-on who shoots a lower percentage on threes than you’d like to see a one-dimensional shooter make, and Young, a transfer who can rebound, but who could potentially be a liability from the foul line (just 67.3% from the stripe) in crunch time.

Big advantage: Kentucky

Coaching:

Kentucky’s John Calipari is regarded as the best coach to never win a title. The slick recruiter has brought two other schools (UMass and Memphis) to the Final Four, but both times, the NCAA vacated the accomplishment. With his heavy reliance on “one and done”-type players, the whispered criticism is that Cal is better as a recruiter than as a coach, but this is the year he will look to change that. Self, meanwhile, is a solid recruiter in his own right, but has also been recognized as one of the top coaches in the game. In 2008, it was his Kansas squad that defeated Calipari’s Derrick Rose-led Wildcats in the national championship game, and Self will be coaching to take home his second title and his second major win over Calipari.

Advantage: Kansas

Prediction:

There’s no way to avoid it anymore. Kentucky is loaded this year, and quite frankly, they’re the favorites for a reason. With a dominant offense and an underrated defense (apart from Davis, of course), they are the best team in the land this year. Robinson and Taylor will put up a solid fight, but in the end, the Wildcats just have too many horses. Calipari sheds the label of best coach never to take home a title, as Kentucky wins and puts to rest the notion that a freshman-heavy team can’t get it done. Kentucky 70, Kansas 64

Although Virginia came through in the end, Boston College dominated possession throughout most of the game and out-shot the Cavaliers 23-19. With 23:22 minutes remaining in the second half, Virginia went on a 5-0 run to bring the score up to 10-8, leaving less than 11 minutes in the game. The two teams took turns scoring points until the Cavaliers totaled 12 points and took the home win.

Sophomore attacker Katie Slater and redshirt senior attacker Ainsley Baker led the Cavaliers with three goals apiece. Freshman attacker Sloan Warren and senior midfielder Julie Gardner were also important contributors to the game with two goals and one assist each. Midfielder Kristin Igoe, a graduate student, had the best performance for the Eagles, tallying three goals on seven shots and adding one assist. Attacker Brooke Blue added three points to the game for Boston College and her and Igoe kept their team in the lead for the first half.

The Eagles had 17 draw controls in the game and the Cavaliers had only seven, showing how much better the opposing team was at controlling starts and possession during the game. The Cavaliers made four saves, three of them by junior goalkeeper Kim Kolarik and one by sophomore Liz Colgan. Kolarik holds the second-best average for saves in the ACC at 6.8 per game. Boston College had five saves, all by freshman Emily Mata. Boston College’s defense formed a difficult barrier for Virginia to cross and forced 11 turnovers, but also committed 22 team fouls over the course of the game.

Virginia moved up from the fourth to the third position in the ACC and stands behind only the nation’s No. 5  and No. 3 teams, North Carolina and Maryland, respectively.

The Cavaliers look to increase their winning streak to five as they takes on Harvard  this Monday at Klockner stadium at 7 p.m.

Star Kentucky freshmen Anthony Davis (23) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14), possibly the first set of teammates to go first and second in the NBA Draft this summer, will look to lead Big Blue to its first title in over a decade. (AP photo)

It’s that time of year again. The anticipation is building, all but a select few have stopped caring about their brackets, and people are making their plans for where they’re going to watch the 2012 Final Four. That’s right, everybody; we’ve narrowed it down to the last four teams competing for the mantle of National Champion.

But there’s something almost strange about this year’s group, especially for people who particularly enjoyed last year’s cadre of underdogs. This is very much the “name-brand” Final Four, as it was described on ESPN.com this week. Four of basketball’s blue-bloods, none of whom were seeded lower than fourth, meet to determine who is the best in the land, and it should make for some interesting matchups. Let’s take a look at tonight’s action.

Kentucky (#1 seed in the South, #1 overall seed) vs. Louisville (#4 seed in the West) – 6:09 p.m., CBS

How they got here: Kentucky, the winner of an at-large berth, defeated #16 Western Kentucky 81-66 in the second round, #8 Iowa State 87-71 in the third round, #4 Indiana 102-90 in the Sweet 16, and #3 Baylor 82-70 in the Elite Eight. Louisville, the Big East tournament champion, took down #13 Davidson 69-62 in the second round, #5 New Mexico 59-56 in the third round, #1 Michigan State 57-44 in the Sweet 16, and #7 Florida 72-68 in the Elite Eight.

How they play: Louisville is all about chaotic defense and playing quick. Center Gorgui Dieng is a big-time shot blocker, and point man Peyton Siva is one of the best penetrators in the business. The Cardinals suffocated Michigan State into the second-lowest scoring output in the entire tournament. Meanwhile, Kentucky has played almost every style there is. They can get into a shootout like they did against Indiana, or grind an opposing team into submission, as they did when reversing a run by Baylor in such a way that everyone in the stadium knew that the Bears had no chance anymore. Anthony Davis, the second freshman to be voted AP Player of the Year (the other? One Kevin Durant of Texas), is the most destructive defensive player to grace the college ranks in years, but people forget about his offensive ability as well. He is the leading scorer on a team with six players posting double-figure averages, yet takes only 15% of Kentucky’s shots, thanks to his 64.2% clip from the field. With Davis controlling the paint, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist slashing to the bucket, and Doron Lamb and Darius Miller out to bomb from three-point range, this Kentucky team has the pieces to cruise to a national title.

Key Players: About the only way it looks like Kentucky can be beaten is by forcing Davis into foul trouble and/or forcing point guard Marquis Teague into committing turnovers. Siva, who averages nearly two steals a game, will be the man tasked with frustrating Teague, while Chane Behanan, the Cardinals’ top inside scoring threat, will go hard at Davis in the paint and hope to put the superfrosh on the sidelines early. For Kentucky, the spotlight is squarely on Davis, but the Wildcats’ hopes of winning it all might lie most squarely with fellow freshman superstar Kidd-Gilchrist. The man they call MKG will look to justify the spike in his NBA draft stock by performing on both ends of the floor. He will likely square off against wings Kyle Kuric, Louisville’s top scorer, and Chris Smith, the Cardinals’ top three-point threat. If he can play strong defense and get to the foul line (75.5% from the stripe), the Wildcats could be cutting the net down in New Orleans Monday night.

Prediction: Louisville has made defense their calling card as they try to be this year’s Connecticut, ripping through the Big East tournament and riding the momentum all the way to the Final Four. But this Kentucky team is (by a decent stretch) the most talented team in the country, and the blue half of the state dominates this blood feud by wiping the floor with their bitter rivals. Kentucky 73, Louisville 59

Ohio State (#2 seed in the East) vs. Kansas (#2 seed in the Midwest) – 8:49 p.m., CBS

How they got here: Ohio State, the winner of an at-large berth, defeated #15 Loyola (MD) 78-59 in the second round, #7 Gonzaga 73-66 in the third round, #6 Cincinnati 81-66 in the Sweet 16, and #1 Syracuse 77-70 in the Elite Eight. Kansas, also an at-large team, took down #15 Detroit 65-50 in the second round, #10 Purdue 63-60 in the third round, #11 North Carolina State 60-57 in the Sweet 16, and #1 North Carolina 80-67 in the Elite Eight.

How they play: Both teams revolve around star power forwards. Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger is an inside-outside threat who has set extremely high expectations since coming in as a touted recruit. Meanwhile, Kansas’s Thomas Robinson came in with far less hype than Sullinger, but wowed anyway, first in 2010-11 as a backup to Marcus and Markieff Morris, then this year when handed a starring role. Robinson averages 17.9 points and a stunning 11.8 rebounds per game. Both teams also rely on outstanding defenses, with the Buckeyes and Jayhawks ranked second and fourth, respectively, in Ken Pomeroy’s tempo-adjusted defensive statistics. Ohio State point guard Aaron Craft, just a sophomore, has staked a claim as one of the top perimeter defenders in the country, while Kansas’s 7-foot center Jeff Withey has the distinction of being one of the only players in college basketball who blocks a higher percentage of opposing shots than Anthony Davis.

Key Players: Most eyes will be on the Sullinger-Robinson battle, but keep an eye on Ohio State’s William Buford. The senior from Toledo shoots over 35% from downtown, as does every Buckeye starter except Craft, and Ohio State’s success from outside could determine the winner. The X-factor for the Jayhawks is guard Tyshawn Taylor, who averages almost 17 points per game, but has had some struggles shooting the basketball during the tournament. If Craft is able to pester him into turnovers and poor shot selection, Kansas has no chance, but if he takes over the game like he did against North Carolina, the Jayhawks will be headed to “Monday Night” with a chance to take home the title.

Prediction:  These teams have faced each other once this year, with Kansas winning 78-67. But that game was in Lawrence, and the Buckeyes played without Sullinger, who missed due to an injury. With both teams at full strength, this game has the potential to be the better matchup and a more exciting game to watch than Louisville-Kentucky. In the end, with Sullinger back, Buford and Deshaun Thomas firing from deep, and Craft in Taylor’s shorts the entire game, the Buckeyes book the second spot in the national championship. Ohio State 67, Kansas 63

Not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven.

When LeBron James initially exclaimed those lines at the overly dramatic Miami Heat Welcome Party, he was talking about bringing home multiple titles to South Beach. Well, year two of the Miami Experiment is underway. . . and James cannot afford to leave it empty-handed.

The 2011-2012 regular season has unquestionably been LeBron’s best year in the NBA, specifically in terms of statistics. James has been an absolute monster, averaging over 26 points a game, in addition to snagging more than eight boards and dishing out six dimes. He is absolutely the front-runner for league MVP, and save for a monster late season surge by either Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder or Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, expect LeBron to add his third Maurice Podoloff trophy to the display shelf.

LeBron and the Miami Heat Failed to Win a Title in Year One after The Decision.

Yet, if another terrific season ends without adding a Larry O’Brien Finals Trophy to pair with the Podoloff, there will be criticism. And you can expect heaps of it.

Once April 28^th hits, and all the NBA Playoff hoopla revs its motor, LeBron needs to be prepared. While much of the disparagement and frustration has been unfairly assigned on his shoulders (considering he has, for all intents and purposes, the third best player in the NBA in Dwyane Wade beside him), LeBron created the target with his attention-grabbing antics. The Decision was a spectacle; The Welcome Party was a spectacle; The Team, from the get-go, was a spectacle.

And The Finals have been a debacle.

LeBron’s work in the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals was incredibly impressive (he posted a 25 and eight, while defending and subsequently shutting down Derrick Rose on defense in all fourth quarters). In contrast, his efforts in the 2011 Finals were stunningly atrocious.

Those efforts include a Game Two catastrophe, when the Heat relinquished a 15-point lead with 7:14 remaining and later lost after Dwyane Wade mishandled the ball during the final possession. Following that calamity, LeBron and Wade would lead the Heat to a Game 3 victory, before reeling off three straight losses on the way to LeBron’s second Finals Runner-Up showing (in 2007, he led the Cavaliers to a 4-0 Finals defeat at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs).

Not only did LeBron look lost in Finals Games Four, Five and Six, but also disinterested. He displayed himself as a guy who cared more about his personal brand and less about his team. He appeared to be a guy who did not have the gall to put a group on his back, lead the squad the way no one else on his team (sans Wade) can, and ultimately failed to be The Playmaker.

Michael Jordan was a playmaker, as was Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. These were the legends who, when the time called for it with the contest on the line, simply did more than the next guy to win a game. Dwyane Wade has even been a championship-caliber playmaker (Just ask the same Dallas Mavericks from 2006).

Yet for the Miami Heat, the Playmaker must be LeBron James. He is the player who is light-years greater, talent-wise, than any other basketball player currently running a 94 foot floor. He has shown he can be The Guy who has the ability to turn a 20-win toilet-bowl squad into a 60-win frontrunner. Now he needs to be the competitor who brings the Miami Heat an NBA Championship. He cannot disappear when the game is on the line. Playmakers do not do that.

That will require him to provide nearly flawless basketball in every game. Taking plays off or falling short and fading in the limelight will only lead to another maddening postseason for LeBron and his famed Heat.

He wanted to win Championships.  To do so, he needs to play more than one good Finals game.

Not One, Not Two, Not Three, Not Four, Not Five, Not Six.

He will need seven spectacular games.

Good luck, LeBron.