MY FINAL FOUR

MY FINAL FOUR 

So as you have pry read, my final four consists of Duke, Notre Dame, Kansas and Kentucky. 

Duke-This is a Duke team that is getting hot at the right time. Luke Kennard is playing like one of the top players in the nation. This is a team that was spiraling downhill towards the midpoint of the regular season, but they were dinged up and were even without their coach. 

Notre Dame-In the past 15 years a team seeded 4 or lower has made the Final Four ten times and each year since 2010. I think the Irish are a prime candidate to keep that trend going in 2017. They are getting quality production from V.J Beachem, Steve Vosturia and Bonzie Colson, plus they potentially play in the weakest region. 

Kansas-Kansas finally gets to the Final Four. They are led by the senior leadership of Frank Mason III and the potential of young freshman Josh Jackson and defensive presence of Landen Lucas. Not to mention Kansas gets to play the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight in Kansas City.

Kentucky-Much like Duke, the Wildcats are clicking at the right time. Malik Monk struggled some in the SEC Tournament, but they've had guys like Bam Adebayo and Michael Mulder step up. The Wildcats are a dangerous team going into the tournament. 

                                                               THE FINAL FOUR

                                                           Duke over Notre Dame

                                                           Kentucky over Kansas

I think Duke gets the best of Notre Dame just like they did in the ACC Championship and Kentucky fixes what they did wrong in the first loss to Kansas and avenges it by advancing to the title game.

                                                   NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Duke over Kentucky.

The Blue Devils cap off their rollercoaster of a season with Coach K's sixth national title. No way would this have seen likely in January, but the Blue Devils have gotten hot at the right time. If this Duke-Kentucky game were to happen, it would be epic. Maybe perhaps more epic than Christian Laettner's buzzer beater in 1992.

SOUTH REGIONAL PREVIEW

                                            SOUTH REGIONAL PREVIEW

This region has some deep history behind it. The top three seeds account for 24 national championships. If you count the two won by Cincinnati in the 1950's and Arkansas in 1994, that means this region has 27 national championships between five different schools. This 

is the toughest region to predict. Here is what it looks like

                                                                      1) North Carolina

                                                                      2) Kentucky

                                                                      3) UCLA

                                                                      4) Butler

                                                                      5) Minnesota

                                                                      6) Cincinnati

                                                                      7) Dayton

                                                                      8) Arkansas

                                                                      9) Seton Hall

                                                                    10) Wichita State

                                                                    11) Kansas State

                                                                    12) Middle Tennessee State

                                                                    13) Winthrop

                                                                    14) Kent State 

                                                                    15) Northern Kentucky

                                                                    16) Texas Southern

                                                                         ROUND OF 64

#1 North Carolina over #16 Texas Southern

     Texas Southern is probably the best of the 16 seeds, but they are still a 16 seed, so that doesn't really matter.

#9 Seton Hall over #8 Arkansas

     This match-up doesn't excite me whatsoever. I have not been impressed by Arkansas or the SEC all year long. I'll take Seton Hall.

#12 Middle Tennessee State over #5 Minnesota

      The Gophers are a good team who is playing well, but they should NOT be a five seed. This is a better Middle Tennessee team than the one that knocked off Michigan State last year.

  #4 Butler over #13 Winthrop

      I wanted to pick Winthrop, but Butler always finds a way to win games.

  #6 Cincinnati over #11 Kansas State

      I think this will be the first time since the First Four was implemented that they will fail to have a team advance out of the Round of 64. Cincinnati is just a tad better than the Wildcats in what could be Bruce Weber's last game

   #3 UCLA over #14 Kent State

     This one could be ugly.

   #10 Wichita State over #7 Dayton

      The doofuses on the committee seeded the Shockers as a 10 seed and Dayton has to pay for the committee's mistake.

    #2 Kentucky over #15 Northern Kentucky

      I think it's probably pretty obvious that Kentucky is the best team in the Bluegrass state. They prove that against the Norse.

                                                                 ROUND OF 32

   #1 North Carolina over #9 Seton Hall

       North Carolina takes care of the Pirates advances to Sweet Sixteen

 #12 Middle Tennessee State over #4 Butler

       Blue Raiders to the Sweet Sixteen! Like I said this is a better team than the one that upset Michigan State last year. I look for the Blue Raiders to use Giddy Potts, Reggie Upshaw and Ja'Corey Williams to advance past Butler

    #3 UCLA over #6 Cincinnati

       Lonzo Ball, TJ Leaf and Bryce Alford spells trouble for the Bearcats.

    #2 Kentucky over #10 Wichita State

       While this could be a potential upset, I think Kentucky is just a bit too much for Wichita State.

                                                              SWEET SIXTEEN

     #1 North Carolina over #12 Middle Tennessee State

        The dream ends for the Blue Raiders in Memphis, They meet their match in the Tar Heels

     #2 Kentucky over #3 UCLA

       These two teams played one of the best games of the year back in December when UCLA knocked off #1 Kentucky 97-92. Kentucky is playing so good right now that I'm not sure Lonzo Ball is enough to get by Malik Monk, Bam Adebayo and company,

                                                               ELITE EIGHT

      #2 Kentucky over #1 North Carolina

        These two teams also played in a classic this year. Malik Monk went off for 47, I don't think that will be necessary. Kentucky is playing like a team on a mission. They advance to the Final Four.

MIDWEST REGIONAL PREVIEW

       MIDWEST REGIONAL PREVIEW

The Jayhawks have a lot smoother road to the Final Four than they have in recent years. The weakest number two seed resides in their bracket, a banged up three seed and not to mention they get to play a regional final about 90 minutes from Lawrence. Things look primed for the Jayhawks to cut down the nets in Kansas City on their way to the Final Four in Phoenix. Here is what the region looks like

                                                                   1) Kansas

                                                                   2) Louisville

                                                                   3) Oregon

                                                                   4) Purdue

                                                                   5) Iowa State

                                                                   6) Creighton

                                                                   7) Michigan

                                                                   8) Miami

                                                                   9) Michigan State

                                                                 10) Oklahoma State

                                                                 11) Rhode Island

                                                                 12) Nevada

                                                                 13) Purdue

                                                                 14) Iona

                                                                 15) Jacksonville State

                                                                 16) UC Davis/NC Central

                                                                        Play-In Games

#16 North Carolina Central over UC-Davis

        This game really doesn't matter because whoever wins earns the right to get thumped by Kansas on Friday. I think that honor goes to North Carolina Central

                                                                         ROUND of 64

   #1 Kansas over #16 North Carolina Central

         If a top seed is to lose in the first round, I feel like it would be Kansas, but for the sake of my friends who are Jayhawk fans, I don't think that's going to happen.

   #9  Michigan State over #8 Miami

        This should be an exciting game, Miami is probably more talented, but Michigan State is better coached. Tom Izzo takes his team to a match-up with Rock Chalk.

  #5 Iowa State over #12 Nevada

       Both teams shoot the three ball really well, but Iowa State is playing really hot right now. The 'Clones get it done in the hometown of Deontae Burton and Donovan Jackson

  #4 Purdue over #13 Vermont

        What the hell is a Catamount? Well, it doesn't really matter because Caleb Swanigan will carve through the Vermont Catamount defense.

 #11 Rhode Island over #6 Creighton

       Rhode Island looked really good in the Atlantic 10 tournament and Creighton is going to miss Maurice Watson.

  #3 Oregon over #14 Iona

      The Ducks have enough to get past Iona even if they are banged up.

  #7 Michigan over #10 Oklahoma State

       The battle between Michigan's Derrick Walton and Oklahoma State's Juwan Evans should be a load of fun. Michigan is playing too well right now and the Pokes just don't play enough defense.

  #2 Louisville over #15 Jacksonville State.

       The Gamecock's first ever trip to the big dance ends in the first round. No upset here.

                                                                     ROUND OF 32

  #1 Kansas over #9 Michigan State.

        If there is any coach who can take an average tournament team and upset the second best team in the tournament, it would be Tom Izzo, but I think the Jayhawks are just way too talented and advance to Kansas City.

  #4 Purdue over #5 Iowa State.

       The dream game of Iowa State-Kansas in Kansas City will never happen. Purdue has a manster named Caleb Swanigan and the Cyclones have struggled against bigs all year. Boilermakers advance.

  #11 Rhode Island over #3 Oregon

       The Ducks are without big Chris Boucher, so I think the Rams can get their big, Hassan Martin rolling and the Rams upset the Ducks to advance to the Sweet Sixteen

  #7 Michigan over #2 Louisville.

       I have not been sold on Louisville as a two seed at all. They look very vulnerable and Michigan is playing really well. The Wolverines get revenge on Louisville for beating them in the 2013 title game.

                                                                  SWEET SIXTEEN

   #1 Kansas over #4 Purdue

       This game should be fun, but Frank Mason III and company are simply just more talented than the Boilermakers.

   #7 Michigan over #11 Rhode Island

      From almost having to forfeit the Big Ten Tournament to winning it to the Elite Eight. That is how highly I think of the Wolverines

                                                                    ELITE EIGHT

   #1 Kansas over #7 Michigan

      The Jayhawks will reach their first Final Four since 2012, unless Trey Burke comes back and starts throwing up 35 foot jumpers, I'll take the Jayhawks to win this region.

WEST REGIONAL PREVIEW

WEST REGIONAL PREVIEW

The Gonzaga Bulldogs are the top dog in the West Region. Is this finally the year Mark Few gets them to the Final Four? Only time will tell. There's always one region that totally blows up and makes actually no sense. I think this is the probably region most likely to do just that.

                                                                  WEST REGION
                                                           1)   Gonzaga
                                                           2)   Arizona
                                                           3)   Florida State
                                                           4)   West Virginia
                                                           5)   Notre Dame
                                                           6)   Maryland
                                                           7)   St. Mary's
                                                           8)   Northwestern
                                                           9)   Vanderbilt
                                                         10)   VCU
                                                         11)   Xavier
                                                         12)   Princeton
                                                         13)   Bucknell
                                                         14)   Florida Gulf Coast
                                                         15)   North Dakota
                                                         16)   South Dakota State

                                                                    ROUND OF 64
#1 Gonzaga over #16 South Dakota State
      Gonzaga does NOT become the first one seed to lose in the first round. They take care of former Iowa State assistant T.J Otzelberger's squad.

#8 Northwestern over #9 Vanderbilt
      The Wildcats get their first ever tournament win over an overrated Vanderbilt team.

#5 Notre Dame over #12 Princeton
       I really really like Princeton, but I like Notre Dame just a bit more. The Irish are clicking at the right time and are for my money, the third best team in the ACC.

#4 West Virginia over #13 Bucknell
       I badly wanted to pick an upset in this one because West Virginia's playing style tends to struggle to translate over into the tournament, but I think they have enough to get out of the first round

#6 Maryland over #11 Xavier
      The Terrapins have underachieved this year, but Melo Trimble is really good. Xavier is too dinged up.

#14 Florida Gulf Coast over #3 Florida State
        The Eagles are a really good 14 seed. This is a very athletic team. I have not been sold on Florida State all year. I think they show me why in Orlando.

#10 VCU over #7 St. Mary's
       Some people have been really high on St. Mary's this year. I am not one of them. I like Mo Allie-Cox and VCU to advance.

  #2  Arizona over #15 North Dakota 
       If there is going to be a 15 seed knock off a 2 seed, this is pry the one, but I don't see it happening. Arizona is too much for the Fighting Hawks.

                                                                    ROUND OF 32
  #1 Gonzaga over #8 Northwestern
      I could see Northwestern pulling off the upset over top seeded Gonzaga, But I'll take Nigel Williams-Goss and Przemek Karnowski to advance to the Sweet 16.

  #5 Notre Dame over #4 West Virginia
     Bob Huggins and the Mountaineers meet a squad that can contain Press Virginia. I really like how Bonzie Colson and Steve Vasturia are playing for Notre Dame. Irish advance to the Sweet Sixteen

  #6 Maryland over #14 Florida Gulf Coast
    Maryland is just a bit too talented for FGCU, they punch their ticket to the Sweet Sixteen

  #2 Arizona over #10 VCU
      This isn't Shaka Smart's VCU squad. I like Allonso Trier and Lauri Markannen in this one.

                                                                   SWEET SIXTEEN
  #5 Notre Dame over #1 Gonzaga
       There will be at least one top seed go down before the Elite Eight and I think it's Gonzaga. Like I said, Notre Dame is playing good. They matchup with Gonzaga well.

  #2 Arizona over #6 Maryland
        Maryland probably has no business being in the Sweet Sixteen, Arizona takes care of business and advances to the Elite Eight.

                                                                   ELITE EIGHT
   #5 Notre Dame over #2 Arizona
        Mike Brey finally gets Notre Dame to a Final Four after falling in the Elite Eight two years in a row. This is a very balanced Notre Dame team and Arizona has struggled under Sean Miller to get past the Elite Eight.

                                                                 

EAST REGIONAL PREVIEW

The madness of March is finally here. Yesterday, the NCAA released the 68 teams that will participate in one of the greatest events in sports. The NCAA vindicated that they are far from perfect. While, the NCAA did a solid job nailing the top seeds. They certainly whiffed on seeding the rest the field. How is Wichita State a 10 seed? Why is Wisconsin an 8 seed, but Minnesota is a 5 when Wisconsin won the Big Ten regular season? Why is Vanderbilt in the tournament? They lost to Missouri, they should be ineligible. Anywho, where is what the East Region looks like

                                                        1)   Villanova

                                                        2)   Duke 

                                                        3)   Baylor

                                                        4)   Florida

                                                        5)   Virginia

                                                        6)   SMU

                                                        7)   South Carolina

                                                        8)   Wisconsin

                                                        9)   Virginia Tech

                                                      10)   Marquette

                                                      11)   Providence/USC

                                                      12)   UNC-Wilmington

                                                      13)   East Tennessee State

                                                      14)   New Mexico State

                                                      15)   Troy

                                                      16)   Mount St. Mary's/New Orleans

                                                                 PLAY-IN GAMES

#11 Seed-Providence over USC

       I think the Friars are significantly better than USC. The Trojans are in the tourney because their weak non-con schedule padded their record. They only had two wins over tournament teams (SMU and UCLA). Providence played in a lot more competitive conference and were 7-8 against tourney teams.

#16 Seed-New Orleans over Mount St. Mary's

       Not going to lie, I know very little about these teams, so just guessing here. Give me the Privateers

                                                                     ROUND OF 64

 #1 Villanova over #16 New Orleans

       A 16 seed has never beat a top seed and I don't think it happens to the reigning champs. Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson won't let it.

#8 Wisconsin over #9 Virginia Tech

      No way in hell should the Badgers have been seeded 8. Tough luck for the Hokies. Bronson Koenig, Ethan Happ and Nigel Hayes get it done for Bucky Badger.

#12 UNC-Wilmington over #5 Virginia

       FIRST UPSET of the tourney. This Virginia has the making of a team destined to be upset and the Seahawks are just the team to do it. Solid guard play and decent three pointers coming off the bench.

#13 East Tennessee State over #4 Florida

       I mentioned the other day that I like ETSU. TJ Cromer can go off any given night and they have a solid big man in Tevin Glass. The Gators are dinged up.

  #6 SMU over #11 Providence

      SMU is probably more deserving a four or five seed. Semi Ojeyele is a stud. I'll take the Mustangs.

  #3 Baylor over #14 New Mexico State

      I would not be surprised to see Baylor get bounced in the first round for what seems like the 10th year in a row, but this team is too talented to do that. 

#10 Marquette over #7 South Carolina

     South Carolina is too much of a defensive-minded team, Marquette spreads the court well and is the better team

#2 Duke over #15 Troy

     Blue Devils should win easy.     

                                                            ROUND OF 32

#1 Villanova over #8 Wisconsin

     I would not be surprised if Wisconsin bounces Villanova. That would be a fitting way for the Badgers to stick it to the committee. Love to see a Josh Hart/Bronson Koenig match-up.

#12 UNC-Wilmington over #13 East Tennessee State

    The Seahawks advance to the Sweet Sixteen and coach Kevin Keatts becomes an even hotter commodity for major programs

  #6 SMU over #3 Baylor

    This could be a fun matchup. Throwback to the Southwest Conference. I really like SMU. The match-up between Ojeyele and Jonathan Motley should definitely be worth watching.

  #2 Duke over #10 Marquette

    Coach K against his former protege Steve Wojchiechowski. Marquette is good, but Duke is better and too talented.

                                                          SWEET SIXTEEN

   #1 Villanova over #12 UNC-Wilmington

    The cinderella ride of the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks comes to an end in New York City at the hands of the reigning champs. Villanova is just too much.

   #2 Duke over #6 SMU

     This matchup could be one of the best in the Sweet Sixteen. Both teams are really talented, but I think Grayson Allen, Jayson Tatum and co. get it done for the Blue Devils.

                                                        ELITE EIGHT

   #2 Duke over #1 Villanova

     I really hope neither of these teams screw this up because I would love to see this in Madison Square Garden for the right to go to the Final Four. No team has repeated since Florida did it in 2007 and it will have to wait at least one more year. Duke is playing like everyone would expect a Duke team to play come tournament time. I think this team is better than the championship team from two years ago. If Grayson Allen can keep his screwed on, but even then Luke Kennard, Frank Jackson, Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum might still be able to get it done against Nova.

                                               PREDICTED ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM
                                                            Grayson Allen (Duke)
                                                            Jayson Tatum (Duke)
                                                            Josh Hart (Villanova)
                                                            Jalen Brunson (Villanova)
               Most-Outstanding Player-Luke Kennard (Duke)