Final Four: ESPN analysts picking Cats to beat Louisville

ESPN analysts Stephen Bardo, Jay Bilas, Hubert Davis, Sean Farnham and Fran Fraschilla all pick Kentucky and Ohio State to make the national championship game and all five have Kentucky winning the national title.

Here is what the analysts had to say about Kentucky and Louisville going into Saturday night’s matchup between the Bluegrass rivals.

Kentucky

Bardo: Kentucky continues to raise its level of play despite its lack of experience. Their commitment to defense virtually ensures a national title.

Bilas: The Cats are young, über-talented, and unselfish. This is the nation's best and most powerful team, and has dominated the tournament.
Davis:  Kentucky is the best team in the country, playing their best on both ends of the floor at the right time.

Farnham: What stood out after the game was just how little this team celebrated a trip to New Orleans which only points to the larger goal and the business-like approach Coach Cal has led by this season.

Fraschilla: The beauty of having “six starters” is that John Calipari can beat any team in the country without two or three of them playing at their best. He has managed great talent expertly this season.
 
Louisville

Bardo: This may be Rick Pitino's finest coaching job. His team has been injury-plagued all season yet he has them peaking at the right time.

Bilas: Rick Pitino's team can press and play a tough matchup zone that gets steals and deflections.  Peyton Siva is a lightning quick point guard that can change the game with his speed.

Davis: Peyton Siva is one of the best point guards in the country, with his ability to defend, penetrate, distribute and now, the 12/15-foot jump shot.

Farnham: Rick Pitino's team can win this game in the 60s, but if it gets into the high 70s, I feel it plays into Kentucky’s favor. Peyton Siva has to shoot the ball at a better clip than he has as of late; in the last three games, he’s shot just 32 percent from the field.

Fraschilla: This Cardinals team success is all about defending. Whether it’s man-to-man, matchup zone or full-court pressure, Rick Pitino has pushed all the right buttons in NCAA play this season.