I have to say, considering the direction that the NCAA tournament has gone in, I think I have done pretty well. Especially in the last couple rounds. So here are my probably correct next round picks:
First Game:
University of Kentucky(4) vs University of Connecticut (3). Both of these teams have played amazingly to get to this point, whether through last second shots by Smith to get them past OSU or big step up play by the freshman Lam to push UCONN past Arizona. This game is going to be very entertaining, and I am definitely looking forward to seeing which team is able to step up through the pressure of being in the final four to make the Championship game. My prediction for this game: UCONN. I have been backing UCONN to win this tournament from day 1 and I still believe that with great coaching by Jim Calhoun and clutch shooting by Kemba Walker it will be very hard to take them out. The only thing to worry about is that UK does have strong inside play from some of their younger guys, and with UCONN big men often getting in foul trouble, UK may be able to capitalize. Hopefully fouls do not become a problem and UCONN can breeze through this game.
Second Game:
Butler University (8) vs Virginia Commonwealth University (11). Yes that is not a typo, and 11 seed is in the final four, a team that so many analysts criticized for making the tournament have battled through big conference team after big conference team to make it to the final four. However, there next road block is going to be tough. Much of the reason VCU has made it this far is because of their young gutsy coaching, unfortunately, Butler has the same exact style of coaching, and with close win after close win, it is hard to say that Howard and the Butler Bulldogs will not find a way to sneak through this game as well. My prediction Butler wins and continues through to their second straight Championship game.
Title Game:
UCONN (3) vs Butler (8)
Butler lost in a heart breaker last year to Duke in the final game. Unfortunately for the Bulldog fans I think history will repeat its self, and the UCONN Huskeys will walk away with the title. Yes Butler unarguably has the heart, but when it comes to talent, they just cannot stand up against the UCONN powerhouses. They are too fast, too clutch, and too good to not win this title.
I agree with everything except UConn winning it all. Ohio State was too good not to win, and they didn't win lol. Butler's heart is unmatched. They've gotten this far on drive and determination, and have beaten much better teams along the way than the teams remaining now. Last year's run put head coach Brad Stevens on the map, but this year has put any and all doubt to rest; he is one of the best in the NCAA right now. And they lost their best player after last season in Gordon Heyward. Kemba Walker is in the top 5 players, if not top 3, in the country. But if you stop him, you stop Connecticut. OSU had a much more balanced amount of team talent, and was still defeated.
ReplyDeleteThen again, I don't even know why I'm still trying to make predictions this year. The second you have started predicting what was gonna happen, you were proven wrong. This tourney will be one for the ages, no matter who wins!
I stand corrected!
ReplyDeleteWow, I can't believe Butler fell apart like that. The sad part is that they did do a pretty good job with Walker for the majority of the game. Unfortunately, you have to do some scoring of your own if that's gonna lead to a win lol.