Final Four

Some things never change in the NCAA Tournament.  The four institutions that survived the Elite Eight all have one thing in common.  Kevin Ollie, Billy Donovan, Bo Ryan and John Calipari have all done great coaching jobs in route to the Final Four.

Kevin Ollie is the new kid on the block.  In only his second season at the helm, Ollie has the UConn Huskies in position to cut down the nets for the second time in the last four years.  Jim Calhoun built UConn into a national power-house.  Replacing a legend of Calhoun's magnitude is no easy task.  Ollie appears to have learned a thing or two as a former player and assistant under Calhoun.  Communication is  key for the young coach.  He and Shabazz Napier appear have a great relationship.  When your best player can be scolded in the same manner as the 12th man off the bench, comradery will never become a locker room issue.

Bo Ryan may be the most underrated coach in the country.  Ryan runs his program similar to Billy Donovan down in Florida.  When one of his players suffers an injury or graduates, the next man is always ready.  The onus is never placed on one player.  For years Madison, Wisconsin has been a place teams prefer not to play.  Most teams walk out of Wisconsin battered, bruised and with a loss as a harsh reminder.  Ryan is missing one accomplishment to solidify his legacy.

John Calipari has become the Phil Jackson of NCAA Basketball.  11 NBA Championships compared to one National Championship at Kentucky doesn't create a compelling argument.  To see the similarities with these two coaches you must look beyond the numbers.  Phil's job was to oversee immense talent during his time with the Bulls and Lakers.  Calipari has an excellent track record of sending players to the NBA.  Marcus Camby, John Wall and Dujuan Wagner to name a few.  Kentucky recruits the best talent in the nation.  However, talent means nothing without someone to push the right buttons.  During the first four rounds on the NCAA Tournament Calipari has pushed all the right buttons.  Last year Kentucky was expected to be in this position.  Nerlens Noel blew out his knee and that was all she wrote.  Calipari has this young group playing with confidence and belief.

Billy Donovan, enough said!

FOLLOW THE MAD TWEETER:@NYsteve8