2013 Final Four: Why Georgians Should Root for Wichita State

The Final Four of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament has been set. Atlanta basketball fans are in for a treat.

We get a clear-cut favorite (Louisville), an underdog on a hot streak (Wichita State) and two other programs with March Madness experience (Syracuse and Michigan).

See also:

• Ticket information for the Atlanta Final Four
• 2013 NCAA Basketball Tournament Final Four Court Reaches Georgia
  
• How Much Are 2013 NCAA Final Four Tickets at Georgia Dome?
  
• Georgia Native Leads Florida Gulf Coast to 2013 NCAA Sweet 16
  
• 2013 NCAA Bracket Busted? You Can Get a Second Chance
  

If you're not sure who to root for, here's a great suggestion.

Despite located 1,000 miles away from Atlanta, Wichita State has a strong tie to the Peach State. Carl Hall of Cochran, Ga., and Tekele Cotton of Marietta are significant contributors for the Shockers.

Hall, a 6-foot-8 senior, is a starter who averages 12.5 points and 6.9 rebounds. He's averaged 14 points in four tournament games.

Cotton, a 6-2 sophomore who played at Whitefield Academy as a high-schooler, averages 6.9 points and 3.9 rebounds. He scored 10 points and hit a crucial three-pointer in a 70-66 win over Ohio State in the West Region final.

“It feels good, but we’re not done yet,” Hall told the Wichta Eagle following the win over Ohio State. “It’s on to the next game. We’re just ready to go and make a run for this thing.”

The Final Four begins Saturday, April 6, with semifinal games in the Georgia Dome (the championship game is scheduled Monday, April 8).

Semifinal schedule, Saturday, April 6: Wichita State vs. Louisville, 6 p.m.; Syracuse vs. Michigan, 8:49 p.m.

Have you scored tickets to the Final Four? What's your prediction? Tell us in the comments below.