POINT GUARD
Louisville’s Francisco Garcia vs. Illinois’ Deron Williams
Garcia is an anomaly in the Chris Mullin mold, a 6-7 swingman who can shoot and has such great court vision, the offense runs through him. Williams will be the best all-around perimeter player in St. Loo. He had eight points and three assists in the rally vs ‘Zona.
Edge: Illinois
SHOOTING GUARD
Louisville’s Taquan Dean vs. Illinois’ Dee Brown
Dean has been sizzling, shooting 45 percent from the field and 43 percent on 3s. Dean and Brown are fearless. Brown is the emotional leader of the Fighting Illini with his trademark braids, headband and orange mouthpiece. He’s hot, too (50 percent from the field; 41 percent on 3s).
Edge: Even
SMALL FORWARD
Louisville’s Larry O’Bannon vs. Illinois’ Luther Head
OK, they’re really third guards. This could be the swing matchup. O’Bannon was scoreless in the first half when his team trailed West Virginia by 20. He scored 24 in the second half and OT. Head blocked Salim Stoudamire’s game-winning attempt in regulation.
Edge: Even
POWER FORWARD
Louisville’s Juan Palacios vs. Illinois’ Roger Powell
Palacios is a vastly talented freshman who hasn’t played like one in the second half of the season. But Powell is a senior and the type of player every coach wants. He does the grunt work and averaged 11 points on 54 percent shooting.
Edge: Illinois
CENTER
Louisville’s Ellis Myles vs. Illinois’ James Augustine
Myles is undersized (6-7, 240) except where it really counts. He has great heart and his quickness will make him a tough matchup for his 6-10 opponent. Augustine is the weak link on this Illinois team, but with fewer good big men in college, he’s more than adequate.
Edge: Even
BENCH/INTANGIBLES
Louisville doesn’t get much from its bench, although 6-8 Otis George provides some much-needed size. The Cards are riding that No. 4-seed snub for all it’s worth and the 20-point comeback over West Virginia was a classic. Illinois appears to be a team of destiny. How else does a team erase a 15-point deficit in four minutes as it did against ‘Zona? Not much bench here, too. Expect a big Illinois crowd in St. Loo.
Edge: Even
COACHING
Louisville’s Rick Pitino vs. Illinois’ Bruce Weber
Pitino is one of the great college coaches of all time. He’s already won an NCAA title and is taking his third school (Providence, Kentucky, Louisville) to a Final Four. Weber is making his first Final Four appearance and has wisely been soliciting colleagues for advice.
Edge: Louisville
Louisville Illinois
33-4 Record 36-1
81.3 Avg. Points 77.3
63.9 Opp. Avg. Points 60.8
17.4 Margin 16.5
.469 FG Pct. .487
.386 Opp. FG Pct. .413
.401 3-pt. FG Pct. .397
.328 Opp. 3-pt. FG Pct. .354
9.6 3-pt. FG/game 8.6
6.8 Opp. 3-pt FG/game 5.9
.722 FT Pct. .728
6.3 Rebound Margin 2.7
2.6 Turnover Differential 4.1
8.7 Avg. Steals 7.8
3.9 Avg. Blocks 3.3
PREDICTION
ILLINOIS 78
LOUISVILLE 77
