The staff picks their winners
Kyle McDaniel, sports editor
North Carolina North Carolina has a big advantage here. The Tar Heels will be playing in either Raleigh or Charlotte until the Final Four. They’re not one of the better teams to come out of North Carolina in recent memory, but I think they will easily go to the Final Four.
Wisconsin I like this team. With the No. 3 seed in the Midwest region, Wisconsin has a chance to make it to the championship this year. I think they can beat Georgetown, a team that is really overrated. I think getting past Kansas will be a challenge for Wisconsin, but I like them to upset the No. 1 Jayhawks.
Stanford The Pac-10 is the best conference this year. I was inclined to pick USC to go to the Final Four, but I got a feeling about the Cardinal. I seemed to like No. 3 seeds to go to the Final Four this year.
UCLA Again, the Pac-10 is the best conference this year. UCLA has had some serious luck this season. In the Bruins’ game against Cal, Josh Shipp hit a last second shot from behind the backboard. Come on, that is one of the luckiest things I’ve ever seen in sports. Besides the luck, UCLA is a great team. They are, by far, the best No. 1 seed in the country.
National Champion: UCLA
Margot Schneider, assistant sports editor
North Carolina The No. 1 Tar Heels have been a national title contender the entire season. When point guard Ty Lawson was injured earlier this season, Carolina was at first boosted in the polls by its potential instead of actual talent. However, as the weeks went on without Lawson, UNC became an even deeper team. The selection committee built up this year’s drama with Carolina’s opponent in the Final Four. Given no real shockers, the Tar Heels will meet either No. 1 Kansas, where head coach Roy Williams coached prior to UNC, or No. 2 Georgetown, a team the Heels lost to in the Elite Eight last year.
Georgetown The Midwest’s Final Four contender could be either Georgetown or Kansas. The Big East was phenomenal this year, earning six NCAA tournament berths. I have gone as far as to put Pitt in the Final Four as well. The Big 12, while seemingly strong at the beginning of the season, trickled off into a sorry showing in conference play and arguably three undeserved tournament bids.
Pittsburgh This is my big upset that will power through its region and into the Final Four. While the East may be the stronger region overall, the South is a very close second. In a region where Saint Mary’s is a No. 10 seed, watch these games to find your No. 1 team lose a spot in San Antonio. Pitt is listed as a No. 4 seed, but with wins over No. 1 Georgetown, No. 6 Marquette and No. 3 Louisville all in the last week, Pitt is coming into the tournament hot. Look for a team that has taken its regular season losses and turned into a tough team come tournament time.
UCLA A majority of the nation is calling a UCLA-North Carolina match up for the title game, and the majority is right. Both teams faced a number of injuries throughout the season. The injuries only increased the depth of the teams, and this year’s title game will be a battle of the benches, to say the least. UCLA’s defense verse a high-powered Carolina offense will also prove an intriguing match-up. Even more exciting will be the two of the nation’s top big men meeting each other on the same court. Junior Tyler Hansbrough, probable Player of the Year, and freshman Kevin Love both lead their teams in points and rebounds.
National Champion: North Carolina
Aaron Musick, copy editor
Louisville Louisville is this year’s sleeper. They got put into a home-friendly bracket. They score a solid 70 points per game and play very good defense. A team that has been overlooked the entire year will finally show its true colors. They don’t get a truly tough team until a match-up against UNC. The top of the East bracket is pretty strong and should make UNC work, giving the Louisville Cardinals the advantage.
Kansas This team is strong. They can go 8 or 9 and not lose any offense. They cover the middle well and can hit the outside shot. They also boast a 22-0 record at home, which is where they will be for the first two rounds. After that, home court shouldn’t play a part. This team can score and play defense, which is why they will take the Midwest Regional
Memphis It’s about time for the second season to start and for Memphis to show of what they are made. Another team that is really deep, Memphis has some size up the middle. They will be a force on the court. I believe they have potential that they have kept hidden and waited to use in the tournament.
UCLA I believe the dark horse of the tournament is Xavier, but they’re not good enough. UCLA can score and are pretty deep. They also get the benefit of playing close to home, and for a team that went 21-2, that helps them. For the first two rounds, they’ll be able to sleep in their own beds. I am cautious over them, though, because they have a problem with consistency throughout the game. The Bruins are the weakest of the number one seeds.
National Champion: Kansas
Brad Cochi, staff writer
TexasAfter a tough Sweet 16 game against the physical Pittsburgh Panthers, the Memphis Tigers will not be able to dominate the Texas Longhorns the way they have other teams, making the Elite Eight match-up more favorable for the kids from Austin. D.J. Augustin and the Longhorns have played eight games against top 25 teams this season, which will give them an edge and experience that few teams in this tournament will have.
KansasMy second Final Four team from the tough Big 12 Conference. The Kansas Jayhawks are a team full of future NBA players and have too many weapons on both offense and defense not to make it. Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers give the Jayhawks solid guard play and Sasha Kaun and Darrell Arthur are better inside then they get credit. The Jayhawks’ balance and depth will take them to the Final Four.
UCLAThe shooting skills of Darren Collison and the post presence and passing of Pac-10-player and freshman-of-the-year Kevin Love give the UCLA Bruins a lethal inside-out game. With a low-post defense led by the energetic Lorenzo Mata-Real, the Bruins have allowed an average of less than 60 points this season. With a 6-1 record against top 25 teams this season, the Bruins have already proven themselves capable against some of the nation’s best.
TennesseeI like the scrappy Tennessee Volunteers as my surprise pick to make an appearance. The Volunteers will have to surprise everyone when they upset the heavily favored North Carolina in the Elite Eight. Bruce Pearl has his team playing at a feverish pace that come tournament time always seems to lead to success for some team. The Volunteers have won many close games this season, and if they can maintain their effort and focus, it should be enough to knock off the mighty Tar Heels and break into the Final Four.
National Champion: UCLA
Jason Bartz, managing editor
I’m going get a little edgy here, and then dial it back. I am not smart enough to have explanations, but here is what I chose:
North Carolina Unstoppable.
Georgetown This is a personal favorite. This year isn’t looking fantastic, but here’s to hoping.
Memphis Who doesn’t want to see these guys make it?
Duke This is another personal favorite. These guys are scary on the court.
National Champion: North Carolina
