Tale of the tape

Rick Pitino has been here before, after making his 7th Final Four appearance, he’s now in his third go-round in the title game. He’s got plenty of experience on the big stage and he has the Cardinals playing high level basketball at the right time.

No. 4 Michigan and No. 4 Syracuse square off in Atlanta this weekend with the winner getting a shot to play for the National Title.

Rick Pitino and No. 1 Louisville take on No. 9 Wichita State in Atlanta this weekend for a shot to play in the National Title game on Monday.

Thad Matta is one of the more under-appreciated college coaches in Division I. Not only has he been to two Final Fours, but he has the Buckeyes in contention every year. The one year he missed the tourney? They won the NIT.

Tom Crean has done a sensational job restoring the Hoosier program from the gutters of Kelvin Sampson, and he made a Final Four with Dwyane Wade and Marquette. This year looks to be his coming-out party.

Bill Self always has Jayhawks fans rocking and chalking, absolutely annihilating Big 12 competition every year, but success hasn’t come as easy in the tournaments. Despite any criticism, nobody can ever take away his 2008 national title.