Well, we got what we wanted.

Thank goodness for the Final 4 because otherwise, this day was pretty dreary all the way around, especially with the Pope losing his life. Hopefully, the sun will come out tomorrow. And, we spring ahead time wise tomorrow, who knew?

Alright, only 2 teams remain. Thanks to Jason for being great company tonight:

• Illinois 72, Louisville 57. In a game that was close for 30 minutes, Illinois did what they do best in the last 10 minutes, which is hit big, timely shots while playing stingy defense. Yes, I didn't agree with Louisville playing zone, which hasn't worked against Illinois all year. I think it was one of the reasons why they lost, but not the sole reason. I believe you stick with what got you there, and for Louisville, that's pressure man-to-man defense. Illinois did a great job in the 2nd half of finding open seams to penetrate through and spot up for open shots. Deron Williams and Dee Brown got into the lane, finding Roger Powell, Jack Ingram, and Luther Head for open looks. You can't play zone against a team that shares the ball so well. Illinois had 21 assists on their 27 field goals, an incredible number. Powell was the sparkplug in the 2nd half, when he scored 18 of his 20 after being in foul trouble in the 1st half. The Illini also got it done on the boards. Who would've thought James Augustine would have as many rebounds as Ellis Myles and Juan Palacios combined??? Another reason Louisville was the disappearance of Francisco Garcia. Illinois did a great job defensively on him, sticking Luther Head or Deron Williams on him, with the other guarding the player screening for Garcia, making it easier for Head or Williams to switch out on him. Garcia should've looked for his shot more in the 2nd half. He only attempted 2 shots in the 2nd, just 10 for the game. Illinois did a great job of never letting Louisville get comfortable on the perimeter, which prevented them from that one hot streak of shooting they've had every game in March. As I've said before, if you don't play your best game against Illinois for 40 minutes, you will lose.
• North Carolina 87, Michigan St. 71. After trailing 38-33 at halftime, the Tar Heels came out smoking in the 2nd half, outscoring the Spartans 34-14 in the first 10 minutes of the 2nd. In a quality 1st half by both teams, MSU ran with UNC, getting open looks and beating them down the floor for layups. But in the 2nd, UNC found that 5th gear they only have, which frustrated MSU offensively, forcing them to play too quickly and take some ill-advised shots. Carolina's perimeter defense in the 2nd half was the difference in this one. It wasn't bad in the 1st half, but they did allow MSU to penetrate into the lane and allow their shooters to catch and shoot in rhythm. The 2nd half, the intensity was noticeably greater, forcing MSU out of their rhythm offensively, while also cutting down on the number of offensive rebounds they allowed. Basketball doesn't get any better, than when a Roy Williams coached team is in flight on the fast break. Guys filling their lanes, or everyone getting a touch, reversing the ball to the open shooter, it's so pretty. Sean May had 18 of his 22 in the 2nd half, and Jawad Williams scored 18, matching the number of points he had in the first four games of the Tourney combined. He's the X-factor on this team, and he showed why tonight. When he's productive, scoring inside and making the perimeter shot as the 5th option on UNC's secondary break, UNC is even more dangerous. Raymond Felton also played a much cleaner 2nd half. He was a little out of control at the beginning of the game, but after halftime, he ran the break to perfection, while knocking down his fair share of perimeter shots. MSU played a great 1st half, but got ran out of the building in the 2nd. UNC had a lot to do with that, but MSU relied too much on the perimeter shot, not getting the ball inside enough. When they did get the ball inside, despite 14 points and 15 rebounds, Paul Davis often settled for turnaround and fadeaway jump shots, not going after Sean May, especially after he could've picked up 2 fouls early and been a nonfactor the rest of the way.
  

I will preview the championship tomorrow night, but I will say, I'm not backing down from the statement I've made all year. If it was going to be Illinois/Carolina in the finals, I would take Illinois.

Well, I guess I need to get to bed since we lose an hour of sleep tomorrow.