Sticking to my guns
April 4th, 2008, 12:51 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Alex Kreitman
It’s time to make some predictions for Saturday’s Final Four games in San Antonio.
Since my March Madness bracket is still in play I’m forced to stick with my original picks. I’m taking North Carolina over Kansas and amazingly I feel confident the Tar Heels will prevail. (Check out Final Four special section)
North Carolina is on such a roll that even a great team like the Jayhawks can’t compare.
I think earlier in the season this matchup could have gone either way, but I think the Tar Heels have more scoring ability and star power.
For starters, Kansas doesn’t have an answer for Tyler Hansbrough, I don’t think anyone in the country does. Hansbrough will do what he’s done all season which will be too much for the opposition.
The Tar Heels speedy offensive style, forcing turnovers and scoring fast-break points, will be too much for the Jayhawks, who are usually stout defensively.
North Carolina is No. 1 overall for a reason which is why it will move on to Monday night’s final. I’ll say Tar Heels 82, Kansas 70.
I honestly think the early game Saturday night is a toss up. Memphis and UCLA are obviously both excellent teams, judging by their No. 1 seeds and the level in the tournament they’ve reached.
UCLA has played strong in its last two outings, but before that struggled a bit which had me nervous for my bracket. I’ve got the Bruins overtaking the Tigers, but the result worries me a bit. I didn’t have Memphis in the Final Four, not because I didn’t think it was good, but because I didn’t think it was as good as advertised.
Playing in a weak conference weighed heavily in my pick and the fact that I needed a No. 1 seed to lose, since never before this season had all four advanced. I was wrong.
But this Memphis team scares me. I was shocked that the Tigers crushed Texas in Texas. They’ve played well all tournament long and quietly. North Carolina has stormed ahead as expected and pulled in the big headlines, but the Tigers had an equally strong showing, but under the radar.
I’m still going with UCLA 74, Memphis 70.
No doubt it will be a great night of games as the final four teams battle for a shot in the last and most important game of the season. With money on the line, I really hope my picks hold up. Enjoy the games.
