ATS: 26-36
SU: 39-21
My record ATS may not be too great this season, but I still have three of my four Final Four teams alive and that is more than most can say. Louisville, Ohio State, and Florida can all make me look good by winning this weekend. The one team that I missed is Indiana, who was upended by Syracuse in the Sweet 16.
East Regional - Washington, DC
3 Marquette (+4.5) vs. 4 Syracuse
How they got here:
Marquette beat: Davidson 59-58, Butler 74-72, Miami 71-61
Syracuse beat: Montana 81-34, Cal 66-60, Indiana 61-50
Record vs. Tournament Teams:
Marquette: 9-7
Syracuse: 10-8
Marquette and Syracuse have guaranteed that the Big East will be represented in the Final Four. These conference rivals (well at least for a couple more weeks) will play for the second time this year. There will obviously be a lot more on the line this time. Marquette beat Syracuse 74-71 in Milwaukee during the regular season. Marquette played their best game of the tournament in their Sweet 16 victory over Miami. They hope to carry that momentum into the Elite 8. Syracuse has been up and down all year. Luckily for them, they have been at a season best high over the last few weeks. They dominated the nation's most talented team (Indiana) in the Sweet 16 and are now just one game away from leaving the Big East with a trip to the Final Four.
Prediction - Syracuse 65 Marquette 64
West Regional - Los Angeles
2 Ohio St. (-4.5) vs. 9 Wichita St.
How they got here:
Ohio St. beat: Iona 95-70, Iowa St. 78-75, Arizona 73-70
Wichita St. beat: Pittsburgh 73-55, Gonzaga 76-70, LaSalle 72-54
Record vs. Tournament Teams:
Ohio St.: 12-7
Wichita St.: 5-2
Ohio State has been living on the edge. In back-to-back games they have gotten a game-winning three in the final seconds. Aaron Craft was the hero in the Round of 32, and it was LaQuinton Ross delivering in the clutch to beat Arizona on the Sweet 16. The Buckeyes are beginning to look like Destiny's Child. They will face Wichita State. The Shockers are living up to their name and shocking the college basketball world with this deep run. They are trying to become the latest George Mason or VCU and march on to the Final Four as a mid-major. This will be a closer game than some expect. Buckeyes fans should expect to be sitting at the edge of their seats once again.
Prediction - Ohio St. 75 Wichita St. 70
South Regional - Arlington
3 Florida (-1.5) vs. 4 Michigan
How they got here:
Florida beat: Northwestern St. 79-47, Minnesota 78-64, Florida Gulf Coast 62-50
Michigan beat: South Dakota St. 71-56, VCU 78-53, Kansas 87-85 OT
Record vs. Tournament Teams:
Florida: 8-4
Michigan: 11-6
Not many people were talking about these teams coming into the tournament. Both teams were ranked #1 at some point this season, but did not play their best basketball down the stretch. They have found their way in the Big Dance. Florida has won all of its games by double digits. In fact, all 29 of their wins this season have come by double digits. Michigan was very impressive in wins over South Dakota State and VCU. On Friday night they trailed Kansas by 10 with just 2 minutes remaining. Trey Burke capped off the comeback by draining a 30-footer that forced OT. The Wolverines went on to win and reach their first Elite 8 since the mid 90s.
Prediction - Florida 69 Michigan 66
Midwest Regional - Indianapolis
1 Louisville (-3.5) vs. 2 Duke
How they got here:
Louisville beat: North Carolina A&T 79-48, Colorado St. 82-56, Oregon 77-69
Duke beat: Albany 73-61, Creighton 66-50, Michigan St. 71-61
Record vs. Tournament Teams:
Louisville: 14-5
Duke: 14-2
This should be the most entertaining of all the Elite 8 matchups. Louisville has been dominant over the last month and a half and have clearly been the top team in the country. Duke was considered to be the top team in the country earlier in the year. They used a 76-71 win over Louisville in The Bahamas to catapult themselves to the top spot. The Cardinals cans end themselves to back to back Final Fours by avenging that loss.
Prediction - Louisville 71 Duke 67
No comments:
Post a Comment