Final Four Predictions

EAST: Ohio State


It's hard not to pick the #1 team in the country, and a team that cruised to a Big-Ten Tournament title over the weekend.  The Buckeyes are one of the deepest teams in the field and have the ability to dominate the paint with Sullinger and Lauderdale. What makes them the team to beat is that they can also step out and shoot the three at will.  Diebler leads the team in  3-point shooting, and David Lighty's senior experience should carry the Buckeyes to the Final Four.  The only issue I see for Ohio State is the difficulty of their bracket.  Teams like Syracuse, North Carolina, and Kentucky all have the talent and the potential to send Ohio State packing early.



WEST: Duke...maybe?


The West was arguably the hardest region to pick in this years tourney. Duke is definitely the favorite in this region, but Texas, San Diego State, UCONN, and even Arizona all have strong chances to come out of the West.  The key for Duke will be their 3-point shooting, and staying out of foul trouble.  When Duke knocks down their three's, they are almost unbeatable, but when they struggle from behind the arc they tend to lose games. (eg. Against North Carolina, Florida State, Virginia Tech, and St John's)


SOUTHWEST: Kansas


Kansas, like Ohio State, looks to be one of the teams to beat.  After a disappointing early departure from last years tournament at the hands of Northern Iowa, Kansas looks to rebound. Their solid inside play with the Morris twins, and the great guard play of Brady Morningstar, Josh Selby and Tyshawn Taylor should be too much for anyone in their region.  They may face roadblocks however, in a dangerous Louisville team, and potentially against Notre Dame in the Elite-8.  I think the Irish have the best chance to beat the Jayhawks, but I am still confident that Kansas will make a run to the Final Four.


SOUTHEAST: Umm...Pitt....no, Florida...no, St. Johns...?


When I said the West was arguably the hardest region to pick, I meant it was pretty hard.  This bracket on the other hand was just brutal.  There are potentially 7 teams that can come out of this region and move on to the Final Four.  I'm going to go with the Red Storm of St John's, based on their great play against ranked teams this year.  Their inexperience scares me a little bit, but I don't like Pittsburgh after their early Big East Tourney departure, and Florida is a very overrated 2-seed.  St John's was 6-5 against Top-25 teams this year, and are 11-1 in their last 12 games.  Steve Lavin has done a tremendous job in his first year at St John's, so look for the Red Storm to move on to Houston....That is, unless Gonzaga beats them in the first round...