NCAA Final Four Matchup: George Mason will be Luckier than Florida

The hottest player in the NCAA Tournament, Florida Gators forward, Joakim Noah went supernova on the top-seeded Villanova Wildcats.

Villanova rallied from a 16-point deficit against Boston College on Friday to muster a 60-59 overtime win. Noah insured that wouldn't happen, scoring seven consecutive points to help Florida open a 66-54 advantage with 2:19 remaining.

''He's a unique player. I don't remember anyone as good offensively or defensively on the perimeter and in the post,'' Villanova coach, Jay Wright said.

That doesn't bode well for George Mason in Saturday's matchup against the Gators in Indianapolis. The undersized Patriots had to rally from a 12-point deficit Sunday to oust top-seeded Connecticut 86-84 in overtime.

As the first No. 11 seed to make the Final Four in 20 years, George Mason (27-7) will enter the RCA Dome as sentimental favorites among fans who love underdogs (or simply hate the Gators). Florida, though, can relate, being underdogs themselves with a very young core of players.

Almost five months ago, the Gators were projected as mere sports filler in Gainesville until spring football practice began. But a team that wasn't ranked in the preseason top 25 shed its Cinderella label a long time ago en route to a school-record 31 wins and its first Final Four appearance since 2000.

''It's a great feeling when you have a lot of doubters and you prove them wrong,'' Noah said. ''I think it made us tighter at the end of the day.''

Toward the end of the postgame celebration, Noah saw one of the nets wasn't completely cut down. He snipped the final eight strands and tossed the webbing to Horford, who wore it like a necklace.

Noah then made sure every piece was removed from the rim, handing and throwing the remnants to fans before heading into the locker room. The way it's looking for Noah and the Gators, this won't be the last time he will climb a ladder with scissors in hand.

However, George Mason is still looking to continue what is turning out to be the greatest story in NCAA March Madness history. Both teams will try to do the impossible and it looks like lady luck would still smile on the Cinderella story of George Mason.

The Florida Gators are 7/4 picks and are heavy favorites to become NCAA Hardwood Kings but NCAA's Cinderella team, George Mason is not far behind with 15/4 odds. Who will come out of the NCAA Final Four as champions? Log on and check out Bodog now.