NCAA Final Four Predictions

Wednesday, 18 March 2009 18:29

NCAA Final Four Predictions by: Casual C

On Sunday March 15th, 2009 at 6PM, college basketball players and coaches from 'Division I' institutions were huddled in front of television sets anxiously awaiting the broadcast of this year’s NCAA selection show. Some schools felt comfort in knowing that their bid to the 'Big Dance' was secure, waiting only for their seeding and regional placement, while other schools nervously held on in anticipation of hearing CBS Sports anchor Greg Gumbel announce their school as one of this year's 65 NCAA tournament entries.

An hour after the CBS coverage began, teams on the bubble that didn’t make the tournament were left disappointed, strongly believing their resumes were deserving of one of this year’s 34 at-large bids. Schools like St. Mary's, San Diego State, Auburn, UNLV and Penn State all could argue as to why they should be in the tournament, but the reality is that each team at one time or another, had one or many opportunities during their season to impress the selection committee but failed to capitalize when the time arose.

Now that the NCAA field is set, schools will have less than a week to prepare for their first round opponents. The play-in game will take place Tuesday night in Dayton, Ohio while the tournament officially begins at noon on Thursday.

Here are my ‘Final Four’ predictions by region:

East Region:
Pittsburgh Panthers:
Tournament Seed: 1 | Record: 28-4 | Conference Record: 15-3 | RPI = 2

The Pittsburgh Panthers, one of three Big East teams entering the tournament as a number one seed, are in an excellent position to make their first ‘Final Four’ since 1941. Having made the tournament for the past six years but never advancing past the ‘Sweet Sixteen’, coach Jamie Dixon is hoping his fortunes will change this go round.

The Panthers are led by three outstanding players; senior forward Sam Young (18.7 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.1 SPG), senior point guard Levance Fields (10.7 PPG, 7.6 APG, 2.6 RPG) and co-Big East Player of the Year, sophomore forward DeJuan Blair (15.6 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 1.0 BPG).

Pittsburgh’s tough, in-your-face style of defense has been their bread and butter for years but this year’s team also has the uncanny ability to score points quickly. Point guard, Levance Fields controls tempo as well as any point guard in the country, seemingly always making the right decision. Pitt’s leading scorer, forward Sam Young, is one of college basketball’s best fast break finishers, exciting crowds wherever he plays, and hulking super sophomore DeJuan Blair, is a rebound specialist that will give opposing big men trouble with his large arsenal of low post moves.

Midwest Region:
Wake Forest Demon Deacons:
Tournament Seed: 4 | Record: 24-6 | Conference Record: 11-5 | RPI = 16

Playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference, with the likes of Duke and North Carolina is never easy but with the kind of dynamic talent Wake Forest has, tournament success could find them sooner rather than later. This young Deacons’ squad will showcase athletes destined to play in the NBA.

The Demon Deacons are led by ultra-quick sophomore point guard Jeff Teague (19.1 PPG, 3.5 APG, 1.9 SPG), versatile sophomore forward James Johnson (14.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.5 BPG) and freshmen forward Al-Farouq Aminu (12.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.2 BPG).

This is Wake Forest’s first trip to the dance since 2005 and let me tell you the Deacons look to make some noise in this year’s tournament. This high-scoring team led by Teague, finished first in the ACC in field goal percentage and second in scoring, but defense will be the key to their success. Johnson, Wake Forest’s most versatile player, has the ability to guard or play four positions. He and Aminu will look to dominate the paint, offensively and defensively, but junior center Chas McFarland could be the difference-maker on the inside as most of the opponent’s attention will be focused on Johnson and Aminu.

West Region:
Memphis Tigers:
Tournament Seed: 2 | Record: 31-3 | Conference Record: 16-0 | RPI = 7

The Memphis Tigers, Conference USA’s lone representative and last year’s tournament runner-up, have won an unprecedented 25 straight games while beating their opponents by an average of 19 points. The Tigers have been on cruise control since their last loss on December 20th, 2008 against Syracuse and coach John Calipari hopes to keep the ball rolling as he looks to capture the school’s first NCAA Championship.

Memphis enters the tournament led by three experienced veterans and one phenomenal freshman. Senior guard Antonio Anderson (10.2 PPG, 4.9RPG, 4.2 APG), senior forward Robert Dozier (12.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.7 BPG) and junior forward Shawn Taggart (10.4 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.5 BPG) will provide the leadership and experience needed to make a deep run. Freshman point guard, Tyreke Evans (16.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.8 APG, 2.1 SPG) has been sensational since switching from the wing to the point in late December, as the Tigers are undefeated with Evans controlling the show.

The Memphis defense will look to wreak havoc on all opposing schools they go up against. Dozier, who stands 6’ 9” and has a 7’ 3” wingspan, can guard all five positions and has great ability to block and alter shots. On offence, Dozier’s length and offensive rebounding prowess will cause problems for opponents trying to guard him. Anderson is another great defender while also being the team leader on the floor. His assignment will be to guard the opponent’s best perimeter player. The spotlight though will be on 6’ 6” Tyreke Evans, one of the nation’s most explosive guards. Evans is great at driving to the basket, looking to score first and pass second. He can create his own shot and shoots the ball well from the outside.

South Region:
North Carolina Tar Heels:
Tournament Seed: 1 | Record: 28-4 | Conference Record: 13-3 | RPI = 3

The North Carolina Tar Heels, the Atlantic Coast Conference’s regular season champs and the nation’s second highest scoring team, at just over 90 points a game, will look for its second championship and third ‘Final Four’ appearance since 2005. In each of North Carolina’s 34 games during the season a different player from their starting lineup had at least once led the team in scoring, displaying the Tar Heels’ versatility and talent.

The North Carolina squad is led by last year’s ACC Player of the Year, senior forward Tyler Hansbrough (21.4 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.0 SPG) and this year’s ACC player of the year, junior point guard Ty Lawson (15.9 PPG, 6.5 APG, 2.0 SPG). Senior guard/forward, Danny Green (13.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.3 BPG), junior guard, Wayne Ellington (15.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.1 SPG) and junior forward Deon Thompson (11.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.2 BPG) will round out the Tar Heels’ starting five.

Coach Roy Williams wants his players pushing tempo every chance they get, always keeping their opponents on their heels. Ty Lawson, one of the nation’s best point guards, will be responsible for that task as he is the catalyst who sparks this team. When opposing teams do get back on defense, Lawson will look to pound the ball in the paint, feeding Hansbrough, Thompson and freshmen forward Ed Davis. Green, Ellington and senior reserve guard, Bobby Frasor will open things up on the inside because of their ability from beyond the arc.