The Kentucky Wildcats and Kansas Jayhawks have battled their way through to the Finals of the 2012 NCAA Tournament and will tip off against each other for the National Championship on Monday evening.
The Jayhawks knocked out of the Tournament early from the previous two NCAA Tournaments, but have been able to make their way to the Finals, powered by most of their players having experienced the previous stinging losses. The two-seeded Jayhawks took out Detroit in the first round, then slipped by Purdue and N.C. State, and then beat a North Carolina team without their starting point guard. In the Final Four the Jayhawks went on a late rally, including a 15-2 run late in the game to get past the Ohio State Buckeyes and advance to the Finals.
The Wildcats earn a one-seed for the NCAA tournament and have shown why the whole way through the tournament thus far. Kentucky has demolished just about every team they have faced so far in the tournament, beating up on Western Kentucky, Iowa State, pulling away from Indiana, and beating up on Baylor. In the Final Four, the Wildcats jumped out to an early lead over the Louisville Cardinals, but the Cardinals battled back and kept the game close until right near the end. Kentucky hit their shots and free throws late in the game to pull out the win.
Game Time: Monday, 9:23 PM ET, April 2, 2012
Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA
TV: CBS
For more on the 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket, stick around SB Nation's NCAA Tournament hub, and remember to pick up our printable NCAA Tournament bracket.
