Two Prize Fights Saturday Night

The Saturday night at the Final Four every year is usually college basketball's best value for fans. You get to watch two critical games with a trip to the championship on the line.

This year will be no different however the contrast between the two matches on the marquee could not be more different. VCU will take on Butler in one game while Kentucky faces UCONN in the other. If this were boxing, it's clear who would be the under card. However, what makes this so special is the winner of the under card gets a shot at the title fight. Think about that. This is the equivalent of an under card winner getting a shot at Manny Pacquiao two days later.

The coaches on Saturday night feature the two elder statesmen, Jim Calhoun and John Calipari, each earning millions of dollars personally and for their university. The other game pits the two hottest young coaches in America - Brad Stevens and Shaka Smart. One is 33, the other is 34. Jim Calhoun began his coaching career at Northeastern in 1972 - neither Stevens or Smart were even born yet.

Calhoun and Calipari are at the peak of their profession. They are in charge of storied programs and will probably never leave those schools until they retire from coaching. Stevens and Smart are just now scratching the surface of their careers in coaching. Both can and will easily write their own ticket to bigger pay days and be handed the keys to a larger program with a bigger budget.

Saturday night is a contrast in schools that are about the names on the front of the jersey (UCONN and Kentucky) and two that are about the names on the back. UCONN and Kentucky land high school All-Americans by merely sending out letters with the school's logo on envelope. VCU and Butler convince the kids that didn't get those letters to play for them.

UCONN and Kentucky more often then not can wear down an opponent based on talent alone. VCU and Butler have achieved similar success based on heart and courage. The kids on those teams show no fear and have shown they will not be intimidated by their opponent's jersey.

On Saturday night, VCU and Butler may feel like an under card, but you can bet the winner will step into the ring Monday night confidant and prepared to deliver a knockout punch.