Okafor-Jones-Winslow-They Came-They Saw-They Conquered-Now Time To Get Paid

Jahlil Okafor is from Chicago. His childhood friend Tyus Jones is from Minnesota. Meanwhile Justise Winslow is from Houston. Everyone knew about the big man and point guard they came to Duke as a package deal because of their friendship. However once Rasheed Sulaimon was dismissed from the team another freshman put his imprint on the 2014-15 Duke Blue Devils. That guy was versatile small forward Justise Winslow. His game really picked up during the NCAA Tournament. He showed he could be a solid two way player on offensive and defense. Tyus Jones was steady all season and was able to knock down big jump shots, timely free throws and created for teammates. Coming out of Chicago many predicted Jahlil Okafor as freshman of the year nationally and becoming a lottery pick. Don't expect Okafor to fall out of the top two come draft time in June. Most likely either he or Kentucky's Karl Anthony Towns will become the number one pick during the NBA Draft. Duke cut down the nets for the 5th time in the Coach K era as they beat Wisconsin for the National Championship. Duke has their one and down players just like those guys in Lexington the group that's know as the Kentucky Wildcats.

How Well Did Kentucky Respond After Final 4 Loss

Revenge is best served cold, so they say. Last year the Wisconsin Badgers saw their season end during the National Semifinal round of the 2014 Final Four. Down in Arlington, Texas the Kentucky Wildcats survived by 1 point and advanced to the National Championship game vs. UConn. This season the Wildcats arrived in Indianapolis with a chance to complete an unheard of 40-0 season. Yes they survived some close games this season vs. the likes of LSU, Texas A&M and Georgia. Just to get to the 2015 Final Four they had to battle past a Notre Dame team in Cleveland, that had Kentucky on the ropes. This past Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium Wisconsin held their own. Despite the questionable officiating that worked for and against both teams, Kentucky held a late 4 point lead. Wisconsin was able to respond and deliver the knockout blow to send the Wildcats back to Lexington 38-1. Wisconsin will look to defeat Duke for the National Championship on Monday night. Can the front line of Kaminsky, Dekker and Hayes pull it off ? The belief is if they can beat Kentucky they can beat anyone. Sports is an emotional game, however many of Kentucky players ran off the court Saturday without shaking their opponents hands. That was followed by some negative words that was picked up at the podium during a post game press conference. Obviously after 34 regular season wins and 4 NCAA Tournament wins the Wildcats didn't have a problem shaking hands and watch their words at the podium.

Badgers Make Back To Back Final Fours

Chester native Bo Ryan has led the Wisconsin Badgers to back to back Final Four appearances for the first time in school history. The number one seeded Badgers knocked down clutch 2nd half threes to close out Arizona in the Elite Eight for the second straight season. They will face Kentucky the team they lost to last year in one National Semifinal. Can the Badgers knock of Kentucky to give the Wildcats their first defeat of the season ? The Big Ten regular season champions are the second team in the conference to head to Indianapolis this upcoming weekend. Now Badgers will look to win Saturday night with a chance at a championship on Monday night.

H To The Izzo Leads Spartans To Another Final Four

Saturday night, the Michigan Spartans will be in Big Ten territory. When the seventh seed and East Regional champions take on the Duke Blue Devils. Indianapolis, IN will be the site and every other year it's the city which host the Big Ten tournament. Coach Izzo and his group of kids made a great run in their conference tournament. They had a chance to win the championship vs. Wisconsin however came up short at the end. Many believe they were under seeded as a seven seed. Personally had them in Elite 8 prior to NCAA's starting once and Villanova lost in round of 32 (once again) to N.C State, Michigan St. took care of two seed Virginia, I felt the Spartans were Final Four bound. Sunday afternoon they were able to gut out an overtime victory vs. Louisville in Syracuse at the Carrier Dome. They will take on the Duke Blue Devils to tip off the Final Four on Saturday.

Kentucky Headed To Indianapolis For History Lesson

38-0 Kentucky will head to Indianapolis looking for that perfect 40-0 season. If that mission is accomplished Kentucky will become the first NCAA team in which to do so. Saturday night in Cleveland vs. Notre Dame, the Wildcats barely escaped with a win they were close to being 37-1. However down the stretch Big Blue Nation came away with a two point victory vs. the Fighting Irish. Coach Calipari is leading Kentucky to consecutive Final Fours and looking to win their first National Championship since 2012. Last year Kentucky lost the National Title game to the UConn Huskies at AT&T Stadium. Saturday night they will tip 30 minutes after Duke/Michigan State concludes. Wisconsin will be the opponent their same opponent from the National Semifinal a year ago. The Wildcats will need to do what they do best to eventually cut down the nets by defending and executing in the post. At this point only Saturday and Monday nights respectively stand in the way of history when it comes to 40-0. Last team to enter the Final Four undefeated were the 1990-91 UNLV Running Rebels.

Coach K Headed To 12th NCAA Final Four

Duke is headed to Indianapolis for next weeks Final Four. The Blue Devils defeated Gonzaga in Houston during the South Regional Final on Sunday. It was the number one seeded Blue Devils vs. the number two seeded Bulldogs. Duke didn't win the ACC regular season title (Virgina) or the ACC tournament title (Notre Dame), however they will be playing into the final weekend of the 2015 NCAA Tournament. Yes guys like Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winston, Tyus Jones and Quin Cook get all the buzz. However on Sunday Matt Jones was the unsung hero knocking down multiple three point jump shots. All season long Philadelphia native Amile Jefferson has been a glue guy. Now he will have a chance to play on the biggest stage of college basketball. For the record : Coach K tied John Wooden for the most NCAA Final Four appearances with 12. Next up for Duke will be a matchup with Michigan State. They'll tip from Lucas Oil Stadium at 6:09 pm Saturday night. With a chance of playing for everything on Monday night.

Concrete Charlie Passes Away

On March 21, 2015 the Philadelphia Eagles and NFL community were notified Chuck Bednarik passed away at the age of 89. He is most known for knocking New York Giants halfback Frank Gifford out at Yankee Stadium late in the 1960 NFL season. The hit caused a fumble which the Eagles recovered and wrapped up the victory for Philadelphia. Bednarik was from Bethleham, PA and was a scholar where he attended the University of Pennsylvania. He helped lead the Philadelphia Eagles to 1948 and 1960 NFL Championships. At age 35 in 1960 due to injuries Concrete Charlie also played offense as a center and of course linebacker on defense. He was truly the last of 60 minute men in the NFL. Chuck Bednarik also participated in World War II. I guess he was would you call a renaissance man. His number 60 retired jersey hangs high atop Lincoln Finacial Field. He is considered one of the greatest Philadelphia Eagles ever, if not the greatest of all time. 54 years and counting since the franchise won a championship. As Bednarik would make the final tackle at Franklin Field to secure the 1960 title vs. Green Bay. May Chuck Bednarik rest in peace.