It started with 68 teams vying for a championship. It now has dwindled down to four groups with their quest for glory about to meet reality in the bayou.
The 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament has been anything but a simple task. It's been an incredible ride for the Louisville Cardinals, Kentucky Wildcats, Ohio State Buckeyes and Kansas Jayhawks. The tourney is down to its final stop and has four worthy challengers set to do battle.
For an updated NCAA bracket, click here.
All these teams have gotten here in different ways. Fourth-seeded Louisville wasn't expected to go far, but after upsetting Michigan State in the Sweet Sixteen and rallying from 11 down in the second half against Florida, Rick Pitino and his kids have shown serious mettle.
Kentucky has hammered its opponents, destroying anyone who has dared to stand in its way. The Wildcats are the overwhelming favorites to win the title and have been for most of the season. However, an interstate duel with Louisville will be a huge test, especially considering the feelings between John Calipari and Pitino.
Ohio State has played wonderful basketball once again under Thad Motta. After beating a very game Gonzaga team, Jared Sullinger and the Buckeyes took care of Cincinnati and then the No.1 seeded Syracuse Orange to win the East bracket. No team has a better mix of experience and ability.
Kansas is a team quite a few pundits believe has overachieved all season. Thomas Robinson has taken the Jayhawks into New Orleans after Tyshawn Taylor put on an incredible display, including 22 points, to beat a banged-up North Carolina team. Give Bill Self his due: he belongs in the elite among college coaches.
The schedule for the Final Four is as follows:
(4) Louisville vs. (1) Kentucky 6:09 p.m. ET on CBS
(2) Kansas vs. (2) Ohio State 8:49 p.m. ET on CBS
For more on the 2012 NCAA Mens Tourney, be sure to check out our NCAA Tournament Hub, our Final Four Stream, and SB Nation New York for all of your hoops needs.