Final Four

The final four teams are set. The best game in the elite eight was far and away the Pitt versus Villanova game. It ended on a last second running shot in the lane by Villanova to advance them to the final four. It was simply incredible and if you missed it catch it on ESPN Classic in the next couple days...It'll be there I'm sure.

The Bracket looks like this:

The matchups in the final four are interesting. Starting with the Michigan State/Connecticut game we find a couple of smash mouth teams. Michigan State likes to slow ya down (like the rest of the Big Ten Conference, just better). UConn's Hasheem Thabeet will likely cause the Spartans to shoot a lot of jumpers which they are obviously going to have to hit to have a chance. The Huskies seem more able to get up and down the floor than Michigan State. However, there should be something said about the locale of the game. Michigan State doesn't have far to go to get to Detroit's Ford Field where the final four and national championship games will be played. This is essentially a home game for MSU and that could be a factor. That being said I still like UConn to take this game and play for the title.

The other game is a contrast of styles between Villanova and North Carolina. Villanova is a run and gun, spread you out, blow by you type of team. North Carolina, while not averse to running, will likely try to slow the game down and use their sive advantage with Hansborough and company in the paint. The team that imposes their style on the other will win this game and I think it is easier to slow a game down than to consciously speed it up. That leads me to believe that North Carolina will be playing for the nets in the national championship game.

That's my prediction for the final four, UNC will play UConn in the national championship game.