I've got Maryland and Oregon, along with Alabama and Oklahoma in the Final 4.
I've also got UCLA beating Cincy in the first round. Of course, I have State beating UConn in the 2nd round. I've got Georgia beating Texas Tech and then us beating Georgia. I dont think we'll get past Maryland in the elite 8 though. I've got Florida beating Kansas, then Oregon beating Florida. Pepperdine over Wake (not a big upset there).
I'll probably end up changing my Duke/Alabama pick before Thursday though. It depends on my "feelings" as the week goes on. I really dont think Duke is going to win it this year. They haven't impressed as much this year as they have last year. I've got Maryland winning it all...but I might change that too. Oklahoma has a really good team. And Kansas just proved again today that they can't win the big game.
So what does everybody else have??
So what does everyone else have??
I would be STUNNED if Alabama beats Duke. J-Will would have a field day on Mo Williams, and if Grizzard guards Dunleavy, Boozer will have a field day. Otherwise, if Grizzard guards Boozer, Dunleavy will have a field day. Either way, I would be very surprised if Duke didn't make it to the final 4.
That's probably why I'll change it.
But if Duke has a bad game...there's no telling. They just aren't as invincible as they were last year (well they are when we play them <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> ).
I'm probably going to change that right now actually.
I have to tell you, if Jason Williams was not on this year's team, Duke would not win the championship. I think his sheer will to win is what will win Duke all the marbles.
Pepperdine has really good, fast, quick guards. I'm talking about lightening quick guards. I've watched them play a couple times this year, and there guards just break ankles and penetrate the WHOLE game. They can shoot too. They aren't dead-eye marksmen, but they will hit the open 3 and are really good at hitting the pull-up J. They absolutely tore Dickau and Gonzaga's shooting guard (can't remember his name, but he was a fast, good 3-point shoot guard) apart.
For that reason alone I think they'll score a lot of points out on the perimeter and driving to the basket on Wake.
They've also got a damn good coach. Paul Westphaul will have them more than prepared for the Wake game. I'm not saying anything bad about Skip Prosser, but I think the coaching advantage goes to Westphal. His son is also on the team, and he's a lights-out shooter. You give him an inch of space and he'll knock it down.
Wake has the advantage inside. Pepperdine isn't really big or tall on the inside, but they are athletic. If they can hold down Songaila, then I think they win going away. If Songaila has a big game (which he should) then it should be a close game. Howard won't necassarily have his way. Pepperdine is pretty athletic at all positions. But Howard is a great player, and if he steps it up this game it will also give Wake a good chance of winning.
Overall...I see Pepperdine's guards being too much, Wake's inside game not being enough, and Paul Westphal will have a good game plan ready for Wake. I think Wake can win, but I'm still putting down Pepperdine in my bracket.
Wishful thinking...
I probably should concede to you on that one...but I wont! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" />
Only because Michigan State has a very weak perimeter defense. The only good guard they have is their sophomore Taylor. Other than that, their guards turn the ball over wayy too much. Very shaky ball-handlers.
I think Grundy, Hodge, and Miller might end up having a field day on the perimeter. Tom Izzo is a good coach, but they haven't seen an offense like this in the Big 10. You can watch all the game tape you want, but you dont really know how to handle it till you get into game situations. Given that, I think we jump to a big lead and never look back. Grundy, Crawford, and Hodge should also have a field day on the defensive end. Their weak ball-handlers will result in a lot of steals and a lot of fast break points.
I'm worried about Michigan State. They have some talented players and a great head coach. But we matchup well with them. I dont think Wake matches up well with Pepperdine.