FanPost

Long-Winded Final Four Prediction

I just wanted to take a minute and reflect on a FanPost I had a few months ago about who I picked for the final four and that prediction coming to fruition in the next few weeks. You may (or most likely) may not have read it when I predicted a final four composed of the number one seeds Louisville, Duke, Kansas, and Indiana. At the time, I truly felt that (and still do by the way) these were the top teams in America. I still hold to that, but it is impossible now for both Duke and Louisville to make it, and after viewing the current bracket set-up, highly unlikely for all number one seeds to make it.

That being said, I would like to take an educated stab at predicting this year's final four, and I would love to hear what you all think as well. My outright prediction is that Louisville, Miami, New Mexico, and Georgetown will be meeting in Atlanta. I dropped both Indiana and Kansas because their respective #2's are just plain bad match-ups for them. As for Indiana, I think that Syracuse could end their tourney, but if not, then Miami would be my "most likely to send you home packing" pick as well as championship game pick. As for Kansas, there is too much weight at this point on Ben Mclemore's shoulders and I think that at some point, as when he meets Otto Porter face to face, it will all come crumbling down. I don't see Kansas making it out of their bracket.

On now to Gonzaga. Don't get me started on that trash bracket. If not for New Mexico and Ohio St. I would think this bracket was formed by a three year old choosing their favorite crayons as opposed to an informed decision on who should be in a bracket as well as their seeding. Wisconsin should end their reign if Wichita St doesn't do it first (that's right, upset first round over Pitt). Seriously, have any of you stopped to actually watch Gonzaga play? They have TWO players that have to be guarded, the rest of the team knows one play and that's get the ball to one of the two scorers. Their point guard is smart and capable, but not really as much a scoring threat as a right time right place type of assist threat. The composite view on Gonzaga from most experts anyway was that they should have been more a weak #2 rather than the last #1. All that being said, I see UNM making it out of that bracket because they are a team just like Louisville and will be a terrible headache for us in the final four should they make it.

So, if these four teams make it to the Final Four, I see Louisville and Miami making it to the Championship game. I think that this will be a common pick on most people's brackets, and for me, its not just a go with my heart type of pick. I think it's an educated guess and both teams are playing the best ball in America at this moment. If the two played tomorrow for a National Championship, I would guess that it would be a coin flip as to who would win. If they play in three weeks, I think that UofL will have the upper hand because we seem to be getting better and better the more we play. Miami hit its plateau this weekend, and in three weeks, I think that luster will have worn off a little and that they will face several close games in the coming weeks. Only time will tell, but my standing prediction is that Louisville wins this game 78-68 in Atlanta.

Well, I told you it would be rather long-winded and I know that most people will agree that I am wrong, but I have never been ashamed to eat crow and when all is said and done this year, I will gladly do so if and when I am wrong. I truly want to know what you all see/think and I hope you can back it up just for good conversation. Go Cards, and may the force continue to be with you on the way to #3 ! See you all in Atlanta!