USA TODAY Sports provides your March Madness therapy 
Syracuse Orange guard Michael Carter-Williams (1) and forward Rakeem Christmas (25) react after defeating the Marquette Golden Eagles during the finals of the East regional of the NCAA tournament at the Verizon Center. Syracuse won 55-39. (Photo: Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports) Story Highlights - Louisville is the overwhelming favorite to cut down the nets heading into the Final Four
- Wichita State takes on Louisville first, followed by Syracuse vs. Michigan
- Louisville turned a 16-point second-half deficit into a win against Syracuse in the Big East tournament title
Welcome to our Final Four session of Bracket Briefing, our attempt to provide you with essential information on the Big Dance — highlighting the Florida Gulf Coasts and Wichita States of the college basketball world.
Soundtrack: Before you read any more, take a listen to this morning's jam of the day.
The first word: Finally, it's the weekend. It's not just any weekend, though...it's Final Four weekend. Tonight, Louisville, Wichita State, Syracuse and Michigan will take the court in Atlanta to set up Monday night's championship game.
FINAL FOUR GUIDE: TV schedule, breakdowns
WATCH: Final Four matchup breakdown
Finally, we can start talking about the actual games for a change after a week of overshadowing news. Rutgers and their ball-chucking, now-fired coach Mike Rice along with just-resigned AD Tim Pernetti have dominated the news waves that belonged to the teams in Atlanta. Factored in with the heartwarming back story behind Louisville guard Kevin Ware's injury, it's hard to remember why we gravitate to college basketball in the first place. Tourney madness has the power to trump all scandals, even if it isn't March. Alas, the Dance continues today and 6:09 p.m. ET cannot come soon enough.
Michigan Wolverines coach John Beilein (middle) looks at the Oscar Robertson trophy while standing next to guard Trey Burke (right) and former NBA player Oscar Robertson during the USBWA player of the year press conference on Friday. Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Michigan Wolverines guard Trey Burke (left) and guard Corey Person (32) joke around during Friday's practice at the Georgia Dome.]()
Michigan Wolverines guard Trey Burke (left) and guard Corey Person (32) joke around during Friday's practice at the Georgia Dome. Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![The Michigan Wolverines wave to supporters in the stands at the end of Friday's practice at the Georgia Dome.]()
The Michigan Wolverines wave to supporters in the stands at the end of Friday's practice at the Georgia Dome. Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Michigan Wolverines guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) during Friday's practice for the Final Four at the Georgia Dome.]()
Michigan Wolverines guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) during Friday's practice for the Final Four at the Georgia Dome. Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Michigan Wolverines guard Corey Person (left) jokes around with guard Russ DeRemer (right) during Friday's practice at the Georgia Dome.]()
Michigan Wolverines guard Corey Person (left) jokes around with guard Russ DeRemer (right) during Friday's practice at the Georgia Dome. Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Michigan head coach John Beilein (middle) and his players wave to fans after Friday's practice at the Georgia Dome.]()
Michigan head coach John Beilein (middle) and his players wave to fans after Friday's practice at the Georgia Dome. Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Syracuse Orange head coach Jim Boeheim looks on during Friday's practice at the Georgia Dome.]()
Syracuse Orange head coach Jim Boeheim looks on during Friday's practice at the Georgia Dome. Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Syracuse Orange head coach Jim Boeheim waves to fans after Friday's practice at the Georgia Dome.]()
Syracuse Orange head coach Jim Boeheim waves to fans after Friday's practice at the Georgia Dome. Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Michigan Wolverines forward Jordan Morgan (52) passes in between his teammates during Friday's practice in preparation for the Final Four at the Georgia Dome.]()
Michigan Wolverines forward Jordan Morgan (52) passes in between his teammates during Friday's practice in preparation for the Final Four at the Georgia Dome. Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Syracuse Orange guard Michael Carter-Williams shoots during Friday's practice in preparation for the Final Four at the Georgia Dome.]()
Syracuse Orange guard Michael Carter-Williams shoots during Friday's practice in preparation for the Final Four at the Georgia Dome. Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![A fan of the Louisville Cardinals holds up a sign in reference to guard Kevin Ware during Friday's practice in preparation for the Final Four at the Georgia Dome.]()
A fan of the Louisville Cardinals holds up a sign in reference to guard Kevin Ware during Friday's practice in preparation for the Final Four at the Georgia Dome. Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Louisville Cardinals head coach Rick Pitino looks on during Friday's Final Four practice at the Georgia Dome.]()
Louisville Cardinals head coach Rick Pitino looks on during Friday's Final Four practice at the Georgia Dome. Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Louisville Cardinals forward Montrezl Harrell dunks during Friday's Final Four practice at the Georgia Dome.]()
Louisville Cardinals forward Montrezl Harrell dunks during Friday's Final Four practice at the Georgia Dome. Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![The Louisville Cardinals mascot poses for photos during practice for the Final Four at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.]()
The Louisville Cardinals mascot poses for photos during practice for the Final Four at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Sean Dougherty, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Former UCLA star, Bill Walton, speaks during the 75 years of March madness press conference in preparation for Saturday's Final Four at the Georgia Dome.]()
Former UCLA star, Bill Walton, speaks during the 75 years of March madness press conference in preparation for Saturday's Final Four at the Georgia Dome. Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Former Kansas Jayhawk, Danny Manning, speaks during the 75 years of March madness press conference in preparation for Saturday's Final Four at the Georgia Dome.]()
Former Kansas Jayhawk, Danny Manning, speaks during the 75 years of March madness press conference in preparation for Saturday's Final Four at the Georgia Dome. Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Members of the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers from left: Bob Knight, Jim Crews, Tom Abernathy, Bobby Wilkerson, Scott May, Kent Benson and Quinn Buckner pose for a photo during the 75 years of March madness press conference in preparation for Saturday's Final Four at the Georgia Dome.]()
Members of the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers from left: Bob Knight, Jim Crews, Tom Abernathy, Bobby Wilkerson, Scott May, Kent Benson and Quinn Buckner pose for a photo during the 75 years of March madness press conference in preparation for Saturday's Final Four at the Georgia Dome. Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz (left) interviews former Indiana head coach Bob Knight during the 75 years of March madness press conference in preparation for Saturday's Final Four at the Georgia Dome.]()
CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz (left) interviews former Indiana head coach Bob Knight during the 75 years of March madness press conference in preparation for Saturday's Final Four at the Georgia Dome. Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Former Duke star, Christian Laettner, speaks during the 75 years of March madness press conference in preparation for Saturday's Final Four at the Georgia Dome.]()
Former Duke star, Christian Laettner, speaks during the 75 years of March madness press conference in preparation for Saturday's Final Four at the Georgia Dome. Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![The Final Four logo at center court during Friday practice at the Georgia Dome.]()
The Final Four logo at center court during Friday practice at the Georgia Dome. Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries: Replay 
Autoplay Show Thumbnails Show Captions Fullscreen Last Slide Next Slide Going against the odds: If you picked Louisville to cut down the nets on Monday night, please, don't consider yourself a genius. It was the obvious choice for a number of reasons back on March 17. The Cardinals had just won the Big East tournament, were boasting a momentous winning streak and their defense was unquestionably the best in the country — only supporting the defense wins championships adage. Now, with Final Four games on the horizon, Rick Pitino and his players are even better positioned to have their one shining moment. Of all the shockers that happened in this NCAA tournament — Florida Gulf Coast's Sweet 16 run, Harvard's first-round upset, Wichita State ousting Gonzaga — Louisville not winning would be just as surprising.
PATH TO ATLANTA: How each team reached Final Four
FLASHBACK: 10 stunning moments in '13 tourney
But there's a reason plenty of sports fans don't want the New York Yankees to win every year. It's boring. That's why the Big Dance has an unmatched aura. Only in the NCAA tournament can an Atlantic Sun coach become the front-runner for a USC coaching vacancy in mere weeks. Only in the NCAA tournament can Ali Farokhmanesh be pronounced correctly. Only in the NCAA tournament can Christian Laettner be ranked ahead of Michael Jordan. 
Louisville coach Rick Pitino led his team to the Final Four despite an injury-plagued year. (Photo: Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports) Yesterday we discussed the key ingredients to Wichita State staging one of, if not the biggest upsets of all-time if they were to take out the heavily-favored Cardinals. Today, here's a simpler hypothetical rundown of how and why favorite Louisville won't hoist up the title.
- Louisville will lose against Wichita State if Russ Smith isn't going on a scoring tear.
- Louisville will lose against Wichita State if Malcolm Armstead outperforms Peyton Siva like he did Aaron Craft.
- Louisville will lose against Michigan if Trey Burke carries the most offensively potent team on his back like he did in the second half/overtime against Kansas.
- Louisville will lose against Michigan if UM's role players — Nik Stauskas, Glenn Robinson III, Mitch McGary — have big shooting nights.
- Louisville will lose against Syracuse if the Orange's vaunted 2-3 zone forces the Cards to get turnover-happy.
- Louisville will lose against Syracuse if if the Orange can handle the Cards' fullcourt pressure better than they did in the Big East tournament title when Louisville turned a 16-point second-half deficit into an 18-point lead.
- Louisville will lose if a key player suffers a serious injury.
Final Four corner: Background behind each team.
— The matchup (at 6:09 p.m. ET): Louisville vs. Wichita State in-depth analysis.
— The matchup (at 8:49 p.m. ET): Michigan vs. Syracuse in-depth analysis.
— Syracuse: Point guard Michael Carter-Williams is the Orange's 'rock.' Read the story here.
— Louisville: 10 reasons why the Cardinals will win the national title. Read the story here.
— Wichita State: Former oil-changer Armstead steering Shockers' well-oiled machine. Read the story here.
— Michigan: John Beilein 'born' to be head coach, never an assistant. Read the story here.
— 75th Anniversary: Fans pick best players, moments, games. Did they get it right? Read the story here.
No hard feelings: Mike Kyrzyzewski posed with Louisville stars Russ Smith, Peyton Siva and Gorgui Dieng for the photo of the day. 
***
Quotable: "I saw the USA TODAY. I think I'm getting underpaid, too. So I don't know what's going on here." -- Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said jokingly.
In the news: Legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian is poised to be inducted into the hall of fame. (Via USA TODAY Sports)
The highlight reel: Detroit's Doug Anderson landed a reverse between-the-legs 360 dunk to win Thursday's College Basketball Slam Dunk Contest. It was rather Vince Carter-like. 
***
Must-read: Columnist Bob Kravitz argues, If coaches can jump schools, why can't athletes? Via USA TODAY Sports
Sounding off: "Rutgers is Penn State all over again. It's another sports program at a major university run amok. It's athletic department leaders who look the other way and/or make very wrong decisions. And when the outside world finds out, those leaders duck for cover and call it a "failure of process," not the very personal failing that it is." — USA TODAY Sports' Christine Brennan.
Kickin' it old school: The vintage clip of the day goes to...
Vermont, T.J. Sorrentine stun Syracuse.
Syracuse Orange guard Michael Carter-Williams (1) and forward Rakeem Christmas (25) react after defeating the Marquette Golden Eagles during the finals of the East regional of the NCAA tournament at the Verizon Center. Syracuse won 55-39. (Photo: Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports) Welcome to our Final Four session of Bracket Briefing, our attempt to provide you with essential information on the Big Dance — highlighting the Florida Gulf Coasts and Wichita States of the college basketball world. Soundtrack: Before you read any more, take a listen to this morning's jam of the day. The first word: Finally, it's the weekend. It's not just any weekend, though...it's Final Four weekend. Tonight, Louisville, Wichita State, Syracuse and Michigan will take the court in Atlanta to set up Monday night's championship game. FINAL FOUR GUIDE: TV schedule, breakdowns WATCH: Final Four matchup breakdown Finally, we can start talking about the actual games for a change after a week of overshadowing news. Rutgers and their ball-chucking, now-fired coach Mike Rice along with just-resigned AD Tim Pernetti have dominated the news waves that belonged to the teams in Atlanta. Factored in with the heartwarming back story behind Louisville guard Kevin Ware's injury, it's hard to remember why we gravitate to college basketball in the first place. Tourney madness has the power to trump all scandals, even if it isn't March. Alas, the Dance continues today and 6:09 p.m. ET cannot come soon enough. Going against the odds: If you picked Louisville to cut down the nets on Monday night, please, don't consider yourself a genius. It was the obvious choice for a number of reasons back on March 17. The Cardinals had just won the Big East tournament, were boasting a momentous winning streak and their defense was unquestionably the best in the country — only supporting the defense wins championships adage. Now, with Final Four games on the horizon, Rick Pitino and his players are even better positioned to have their one shining moment. Of all the shockers that happened in this NCAA tournament — Florida Gulf Coast's Sweet 16 run, Harvard's first-round upset, Wichita State ousting Gonzaga — Louisville not winning would be just as surprising. PATH TO ATLANTA: How each team reached Final Four FLASHBACK: 10 stunning moments in '13 tourney But there's a reason plenty of sports fans don't want the New York Yankees to win every year. It's boring. That's why the Big Dance has an unmatched aura. Only in the NCAA tournament can an Atlantic Sun coach become the front-runner for a USC coaching vacancy in mere weeks. Only in the NCAA tournament can Ali Farokhmanesh be pronounced correctly. Only in the NCAA tournament can Christian Laettner be ranked ahead of Michael Jordan. Louisville coach Rick Pitino led his team to the Final Four despite an injury-plagued year. (Photo: Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports) Yesterday we discussed the key ingredients to Wichita State staging one of, if not the biggest upsets of all-time if they were to take out the heavily-favored Cardinals. Today, here's a simpler hypothetical rundown of how and why favorite Louisville won't hoist up the title. Final Four corner: Background behind each team. — The matchup (at 6:09 p.m. ET): Louisville vs. Wichita State in-depth analysis. — The matchup (at 8:49 p.m. ET): Michigan vs. Syracuse in-depth analysis. — Syracuse: Point guard Michael Carter-Williams is the Orange's 'rock.' Read the story here. — Louisville: 10 reasons why the Cardinals will win the national title. Read the story here. — Wichita State: Former oil-changer Armstead steering Shockers' well-oiled machine. Read the story here. — Michigan: John Beilein 'born' to be head coach, never an assistant. Read the story here. — 75th Anniversary: Fans pick best players, moments, games. Did they get it right? Read the story here. No hard feelings: Mike Kyrzyzewski posed with Louisville stars Russ Smith, Peyton Siva and Gorgui Dieng for the photo of the day. *** Quotable: "I saw the USA TODAY. I think I'm getting underpaid, too. So I don't know what's going on here." -- Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said jokingly. In the news: Legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian is poised to be inducted into the hall of fame. (Via USA TODAY Sports) The highlight reel: Detroit's Doug Anderson landed a reverse between-the-legs 360 dunk to win Thursday's College Basketball Slam Dunk Contest. It was rather Vince Carter-like. *** Must-read: Columnist Bob Kravitz argues, If coaches can jump schools, why can't athletes? Via USA TODAY Sports Sounding off: "Rutgers is Penn State all over again. It's another sports program at a major university run amok. It's athletic department leaders who look the other way and/or make very wrong decisions. And when the outside world finds out, those leaders duck for cover and call it a "failure of process," not the very personal failing that it is." — USA TODAY Sports' Christine Brennan. Kickin' it old school: The vintage clip of the day goes to... Vermont, T.J. Sorrentine stun Syracuse. Story Highlights
Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries: