Best Shots of the 2012 Final Four

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Mar 31, 2012

Best Shots of the 2012 Final Four

Kentucky 69, Louisville 61

It was a battle of the Bluegrass State as top-seeded Kentucky matched up with No. 4 seed Louisville in New Orleans. The Wildcats held off the pesky Cardinals to reach the program's first NCAA title game appearance since 1998.

Kentucky 69, Louisville 61

Kentucky's Terrence Jones (3) adjusts his shot against Louisville's defense in the first half. Jones finished with six points and seven boards for the Wildcats.

Kentucky 69, Louisville 61

Louisville's Chase Behanan throws it down over Kentucky's Anthony Davis. Behanan rang up 10 points for the Cardinals, who fell short in a late rally against the Wildcats.

Kentucky 69, Louisville 61

Louisville coach Rick Pitino barks orders from the sidelines of the Superdome in New Orleans. Pitino watched as his Cardinals fell short against coach John Calipari and Kentucky, the school Pitino coached to the 1996 national championship.

Kentucky 69, Louisville 61

Kentucky's Terrence Jones tries to deflect a Louisville inbounds pass. The Wildcats turned on the defense in the Final Four, holding the Cardinals to 34.8 percent shooting.

Kentucky 69, Louisville 61

Louisville's Gorgui Dieng boxes out Kentucky's Terrence Jones. Dieng was a force for the Cardinals in the post, grabbing 12 rebounds on the evening -- including eight offensive boards.

Kentucky 69, Louisville 61

Louisville's Gorgui Dieng (left) and Chase Behanan (center) alter the shot of Kentucky's Marquis Teague. Dieng registered all four of the Cardinals' blocks on Saturday night.

Kentucky 69, Louisville 61

Doron Lamb (20) launches a 3-pointer for Kentucky. The Wildcats move on to play for the program's eight national championship.

Kansas 64, Ohio State 62

Thomas Robinson (0) of No. 2 seed Kansas eyes a rebound in the post during Saturday's Final Four contest against No. 2 seed Ohio State. Robinson racked up 19 points as the Jayhawks rallied from 13 points down to survive the Buckeyes.

Kansas 64, Ohio State 62

Ohio State's Jared Sullinger (0) battles for possession with Jeff Withey (5) of Kansas. Sullinger managed a double-double against Withey and the Jayhawks' post pressure.

Kansas 64, Ohio State 62

Kansas coach Bill Self watches as his Jayhawks take on Ohio State. Kansas got off to a sluggish start and trailed the Buckeyes by nine at halftime before rallying in the second half.

Kansas 64, Ohio State 62

Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor buckles down on the defensive end against Ohio State's Aaron Craft. Taylor held Craft to only 4-of-11 shooting from the field.

Kansas 64, Ohio State 62

Ohio State's William Buford (44) starts the Buckeye fast break alongside Thomas Robinson (0) of Kansas. Buford led Ohio State's offense with 19 points on the night.

Kansas 64, Ohio State 62

Lenzelle Smith Jr. of Ohio State breaks free for an uncontested dunk against Kansas. Smith and the Buckeyes broke out to a 13-point lead early but succumbed to the Jayhawks late.