My Final Four picks

Hey, it’s the Elite 8! Maybe, just maybe I can actually get a few picks right. It’s really tough with 64 teams, so my odds are better with just 8 and 4 games. Who do I have in my Final Four? Why, just keep reading.

1 Kentucky vs 3 Baylor – The Baylor Bears haven’t really and truly faced an intense challenge yet. The highest seeded team they have played was 10 seed Xavier. They were a little flat against South Dakota State and the Musketeers. Kentucky has played strong teams in Iowa State and Indiana in the past two games and won comfortably. The Bears are more highly regarded than the Cyclones or Hoosiers, so I find it hard to believe that Sunday’s game could possibly be a letdown. Pick: Kentucky

4 Louisville vs 7 Florida – In one of my brackets, I had the Gators in the Final Four. In a few others, I took them to the elite 8. I figured the west bracket was ripe for upheaval, and I got it. Doug Gottlieb earned my respect, being the only one on ESPN not to pick Michigan State or Missouri out of the West, also going with Florida. I wholly agree with Gottlieb’s line of thinking all the way. Also, Brandon Beal and Patric Young could be game changers. Pick: Florida

1 Syracuse vs 2 Ohio State – One of two matches that has gone on as scheduled. The Orange laid the wood to Kansas State and squeaked past Wisconsin after struggling against UNC Asheville in round 1. Ohio State, I think, will have a little too much veteran leadership and strength inside for Syracuse to handle. Also, of the two programs, who would have guessed Ohio State would be the cleaner one by seasons end? Pick: Ohio State

1 North Carolina vs 2 Kansas – Kansas hasn’t done much to inspire confidence through the tournament. North Carolina hasn’t done much to inspire confidence through the tournament. The Jayhawks have their health. The Tar Heels do not have their health. Pick: Kansas

After that, I would go with Kentucky over Ohio State for the Championship. Who would have thought that, by the end of the tournament, I would be comfortable picking two SEC teams to make the Final Four?