For the majority of college basketball coaches around the country, the idea that there would be pressure to top a Final Four appearance with a national title is ridiculous. After all, with 351 Division I programs and only four still playing in early April, making the Final Four is an accomplishment in and of itself.
However, things are different when talking about the four programs competing for this year’s title. The expectations before every season revolve around conference championships, runs in the NCAA Tournament, and a shot at the title.
The only exception to that rule, at least this season, is Michigan State’s Tom Izzo. The Spartans are the Cinderella of the Final Four, despite being a household name as a program and having one of the great coaches in the game.
For Duke and Mike Krzyzewski, it’s been five seasons since they were the last team standing and with the talent that Coach K and his staff have assembled, they’ve long been thought of as one of the two or three best teams in the country. Capping that off with a championship is generally expected by Blue Devils fans.
Bo Ryan is not on the hot seat, and his Wisconsin program answers to no one given that this is their second straight Final Four appearance. But the question folks have about the Badgers is, “What’s the ceiling?” This might be Ryan’s most talented team ever in Madison, and while they have a monumental task in taking down undefeated Kentucky, one has to wonder if this is as far as they can go.
Then there is the case of John Calipari.
Yes, he already has a title in Lexington, but this roster has yet to lose a game. They have yet to surrender when tested, and Big Blue Nation is ready to settle for nothing less than another national championship.
