USA TODAY Sports provides your March Madness therapy 
Gregg Marshall has coached No. 9-seeded Wichita State to the Final Four. (Photo: Harry How, Getty Images) Story Highlights - Louisville's smothering defense has helped the Cards beat teams by an average of 22 points
- Wichita State has beaten opponents by a 10.6-point margin, but against tougher teams
- Rebounding menaces Cleanthony Early and Carl Hall are both 'junkyard dogs' with their hustle
Welcome to another session of Bracket Briefing, our attempt to provide you with essential information on the Big Dance — highlighting the Florida Gulf Coasts of the college basketball world, and forecasting the Wichita State moments before they happen.
Soundtrack: Before you read any more, take a listen to this morning's jam of the day.
Teams left in the field: 4
PREVIOUS BRIEFING: 25 key Final Four players
PREVIOUS BRIEFING: Most stunning moments of '13 Dance
At the water cooler: Do you believe in miracles? You should. That's what an upset would mean for Wichita State, a No. 9 seed joining the ranks of Virginia Commonwealth and George Mason as unexpected Final Four participants. Anyone who studies college basketball will tell you the Shockers don't stand a chance against a defensively sound Louisville team that has the inspiration of an injured teammate to play for. Those experts also would have told you New Mexico was a Final Four sleeper. The Lobos lost to Harvard, and now coach Steve Alford is studying at UCLA.
The point is, even if it's a one-in-a-million chance, there's still a chance. Today, we'll go over the key ingredients to the recipe for the most shocking upset in NCAA tournament history. (Yes, it would be. Read this.)
RELATED: Gritty Wichita State makes up for lack of talent with hunger
Key Ingredient No. 1: Pressure. Louisville is favored by too much. The Shockers are listed as -9.5 underdogs. If Wichita State loses by 30 points, its season has already been a dazzling success. If Louisville loses, it would be — without a doubt — the most stunning upset in NCAA tournament history. Will the Cardinals buckle under pressure? Not likely. But when you're playing as the lose-and-it's-monumental favorite, there's a subconscious tentativeness that can plague your team.
Key ingredient No. 2: The Cinderella factor. Many fans strike a perplexed pose when they realize that Wichita State, a school they rarely if ever hear of, is in the Final Four. But the Shockers play in a Missouri Valley Conference that's far tougher than the typical mid-major league. And this Wichita State team was ranked in the top 25 for a good chunk of the season.
Key ingredient No. 3: Offense. Surprised? The talk of this tournament has been Louisville's smothering defense, beating opponents by an average of 22 points. But the best way to beat a good defense isn't just a good offense, it's a similarly stout defense meshed with hitting open shots. The Shockers beat No. 1 Gonzaga not just from a strong defense, but from freshman Ron Baker making four three-pointers.
Key ingredient No. 4: Defense. Rick Pitino summed it up best. "I'll say this without any exaggeration, they're best team we've faced this year on the defensive end. They're Marquette on steroids in terms of the way they play defense."
Key ingredient No. 5: Path to Atlanta. Wichita has beaten its NCAA foes — Pittsburgh, Gonzaga, La Salle and Ohio State — by a 10.6-point margin. Louisville has played an easier tournament schedule despite beating underrated Oregon and Duke. Their first two opponents -- Colorado State and North Carolina A&T -- weren't challengers.
Key ingredient No. 6: The glass. Rebounding menaces Cleanthony Early and Carl Hall are both "junkyard dogs" that will out-rebound you with their athleticism, boxing out and relentless hustle.
Key ingredient No. 7: Quarterbacking. Point guard Malcolm Armstead needs to A) Handle Louisville's vaunted pressure defense (as he did against VCU in November) and B) stunt Peyton Siva's momentum enough to keep it close. The Oregon transfer's poise can help settle the team instead of letting Louisville dictate the tempo.
Key ingredient No. 8: Willpower. Coach Gregg Marshall says he recruits players with high character vs. the athlete who can jump out of the gym. Players on Wichita's roster aren't "burger boys", a reference to the McDonald's All-American game that was played this week. And that's better. Whether it was transferring from another program or from junior college, the "hunger" of Wichita State is ultimately the No. 1 reason for its Final Four berth.
***
Quote to note: "About 10 years ago, I thought it was my last year. I really did. I'm still here. ... I still get mad (at criticism). That's why I'm still coaching. When I stop getting mad about this stuff, I won't matter and I won't be coaching." — Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim via USA TODAY Sports.
In the news: Rutgers AD Tim Pernetti lost his job Friday morning, following a week of controversy that led to the firing of coach Mike Rice after ESPN's Outside the Lines aired video footage of Rice abusing players.
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. 
***
Final Four matchups: A look at Saturday's clashes.
- Shockers vs. Cardinals: It's Wichita State's "Play Angry" vs. Louisville's "Play for Kevin." Wichita State, known for its resilient rebounding, has been unflappable defensively, but no team presents a better challenge to those traits than Louisville.
- Orange vs. Wolverines: This is potentially fascinating for fans of X's and O's. Michigan has committed the fewest turnovers in NCAA Division I. Can guards Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. help the Wolverines become the first team to solve the zone?
Must-read piece this morning: USA TODAY Sports' Nicole Auerbach talked to coaches of teams that beat each of the Final Four teams earlier in the season to illuminate their strengths and weaknesses. The answers from coaches were fantastic.
Outside the Dance: Two Rutgers players stood up for fired coach Mike Rice, who was seen on videotape throwing balls at players and shouting homophobic slurs. One player even compared Rice to "a big brother." Via USA TODAY Sports.
Kickin' it old school: The vintage clip of the day goes to ...
Hampton stuns Iowa State.
Gregg Marshall has coached No. 9-seeded Wichita State to the Final Four. (Photo: Harry How, Getty Images) Welcome to another session of Bracket Briefing, our attempt to provide you with essential information on the Big Dance — highlighting the Florida Gulf Coasts of the college basketball world, and forecasting the Wichita State moments before they happen. Soundtrack: Before you read any more, take a listen to this morning's jam of the day. Teams left in the field: 4 PREVIOUS BRIEFING: 25 key Final Four players PREVIOUS BRIEFING: Most stunning moments of '13 Dance At the water cooler: Do you believe in miracles? You should. That's what an upset would mean for Wichita State, a No. 9 seed joining the ranks of Virginia Commonwealth and George Mason as unexpected Final Four participants. Anyone who studies college basketball will tell you the Shockers don't stand a chance against a defensively sound Louisville team that has the inspiration of an injured teammate to play for. Those experts also would have told you New Mexico was a Final Four sleeper. The Lobos lost to Harvard, and now coach Steve Alford is studying at UCLA. The point is, even if it's a one-in-a-million chance, there's still a chance. Today, we'll go over the key ingredients to the recipe for the most shocking upset in NCAA tournament history. (Yes, it would be. Read this.) RELATED: Gritty Wichita State makes up for lack of talent with hunger Key Ingredient No. 1: Pressure. Louisville is favored by too much. The Shockers are listed as -9.5 underdogs. If Wichita State loses by 30 points, its season has already been a dazzling success. If Louisville loses, it would be — without a doubt — the most stunning upset in NCAA tournament history. Will the Cardinals buckle under pressure? Not likely. But when you're playing as the lose-and-it's-monumental favorite, there's a subconscious tentativeness that can plague your team. Key ingredient No. 2: The Cinderella factor. Many fans strike a perplexed pose when they realize that Wichita State, a school they rarely if ever hear of, is in the Final Four. But the Shockers play in a Missouri Valley Conference that's far tougher than the typical mid-major league. And this Wichita State team was ranked in the top 25 for a good chunk of the season. Key ingredient No. 3: Offense. Surprised? The talk of this tournament has been Louisville's smothering defense, beating opponents by an average of 22 points. But the best way to beat a good defense isn't just a good offense, it's a similarly stout defense meshed with hitting open shots. The Shockers beat No. 1 Gonzaga not just from a strong defense, but from freshman Ron Baker making four three-pointers. Key ingredient No. 4: Defense. Rick Pitino summed it up best. "I'll say this without any exaggeration, they're best team we've faced this year on the defensive end. They're Marquette on steroids in terms of the way they play defense." Key ingredient No. 5: Path to Atlanta. Wichita has beaten its NCAA foes — Pittsburgh, Gonzaga, La Salle and Ohio State — by a 10.6-point margin. Louisville has played an easier tournament schedule despite beating underrated Oregon and Duke. Their first two opponents -- Colorado State and North Carolina A&T -- weren't challengers. Key ingredient No. 6: The glass. Rebounding menaces Cleanthony Early and Carl Hall are both "junkyard dogs" that will out-rebound you with their athleticism, boxing out and relentless hustle. Key ingredient No. 7: Quarterbacking. Point guard Malcolm Armstead needs to A) Handle Louisville's vaunted pressure defense (as he did against VCU in November) and B) stunt Peyton Siva's momentum enough to keep it close. The Oregon transfer's poise can help settle the team instead of letting Louisville dictate the tempo. Key ingredient No. 8: Willpower. Coach Gregg Marshall says he recruits players with high character vs. the athlete who can jump out of the gym. Players on Wichita's roster aren't "burger boys", a reference to the McDonald's All-American game that was played this week. And that's better. Whether it was transferring from another program or from junior college, the "hunger" of Wichita State is ultimately the No. 1 reason for its Final Four berth. *** Quote to note: "About 10 years ago, I thought it was my last year. I really did. I'm still here. ... I still get mad (at criticism). That's why I'm still coaching. When I stop getting mad about this stuff, I won't matter and I won't be coaching." — Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim via USA TODAY Sports. In the news: Rutgers AD Tim Pernetti lost his job Friday morning, following a week of controversy that led to the firing of coach Mike Rice after ESPN's Outside the Lines aired video footage of Rice abusing players. 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. *** Final Four matchups: A look at Saturday's clashes. Must-read piece this morning: USA TODAY Sports' Nicole Auerbach talked to coaches of teams that beat each of the Final Four teams earlier in the season to illuminate their strengths and weaknesses. The answers from coaches were fantastic. Outside the Dance: Two Rutgers players stood up for fired coach Mike Rice, who was seen on videotape throwing balls at players and shouting homophobic slurs. One player even compared Rice to "a big brother." Via USA TODAY Sports. Kickin' it old school: The vintage clip of the day goes to ... Hampton stuns Iowa State. Story Highlights