Despite what those Bluegrass basketball fans may have told you, the national championship is not being contested tonight. More importantly, there are actually two games taking place at the Superdome in New Orleans.
In the nightcap, Ohio State and Kansas will battle for the second spot in the final of the 2012 NCAA men's basketball tournament. This pair of No. 2 seeds likely won't mind that their matchup has been referred to as the "other game" as the hype around Louisville-Kentucky grew ahead of the Final Four. A win for either the Jayhawks or the Buckeyes will be no less sweet even if the spotlight is not quite as bright.
After bowing out early during last season's tournament as a No. 1 seed, Ohio State toppled the No 1 seed in the East Region, Syracuse, to clinch a spot in New Orleans. For their part, the Jayhawks also dispatched the top seed in their region. Kansas overwhelmed North Carolina with a late spurt to claim the Midwest Region. Entering the season, UNC was considered the favorite to cut down the nets. Regardless of who comes out on top here, Kentucky will be the favorite entering the championship. Given the road that Kansas and Ohio State have traveled, neither should mind.
Who will survive and advance to the big game on Monday night? Can either Thomas Robinson or Jared Sullinger take over this game? Will Sullinger find himself tethered to the bench by foul trouble? Can Jeff Withey keep up his impressive tournament performance for the Jayhawks?
STAY TUNED FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE GAME: