I'm going with Ohio State, Florida, UCLA and my long shot is a nod to a coach I covered for three of the worst seasons I've ever seen a coach endure - USC.
I admit I don't know much about USC. Saw bits and pieces of a few games, but I wanted to pick one sleeper.
Illinois has potentially the most intriguing road with Southern Illinois and Kansas looming as possible opponents. That's assuming the Illini make it past Va. Tech, which doesn't seem likely.
So what's your Final Four and your champion?
I will go out on a limb as well and say USC. They do have the hottest cheerleaders. What do you think Roman?
Roman responds: I have a comment, but I can't share it. It's funny that you would say that, though.
Ohio State and Florida are as solid a bet as can be in this anything can happen on a given day tournament. With the changes in scholarship availability and the abundance of quality players exchanging prestige for playing time, mid-majors aren't your typical mid-majors any longer. Throw in the lack of fundamentals in todays game ( e.g. Illini free throw shooting and bounce passing) and the Vermonts and Princetons can easily take out a 1-4 on an opponents poor shooting day. Georgetown is my third participant. Their recent streak and consistent tenacious "D" gives them a chance at the whole kit-and kabootle. If they come up with some unexpected scoring---LOOK OUT! My fourth and final pick is Pitt. My gut has me not looking anywhere else. Kansas' habit of falling behind early in big games will finally catch up to them, U.C.L.A. has done an amazing about face (into a wall), and Illinois will surprise V.T. and S.I.U. Go Illini, then watch your compatriots from Ohio State use all their main components to make a whole and go ALL THE WAY!
Georgetown, Maryland; Ohio State and Notre Dame
Georgetown wins it all, as Notre Dame becomes the nation's Cinderella favorite, but gets no further that final four
Wisconsin, Gonzaga, North Carolina, Ditka.
I've got Wisconsin (upsetting Florida), Kansas, Ohio State, and North Carolina ("...come on and raise up! take yo' shirt off, twist it around yo' head--whip it like a helicopter..." sorry, I gotta do it every time).
I think I actually had a Big-10 rematch in Wisconsin and Ohio State (with Ohio State coming out on top), but one must never count out Kansas. As usual, the bracket makers extend their bias to the east coast conferences, but whatever.
Georgia Tech, Louisville, and Gonzaga are the teams I'm looking out for to pull off some upsets (especially Tech). Gonzaga and the Illini are tough, too (although Illinois got screwed by the bracket--Virginia Tech is tough).
Finally--Roman, I appreciate your love for Floyd (I can empathize, being an Iowa State alum), but I don't think USC can make it past Texas. Sorry.
I'm picking Florida, UCLA, Georgetown and Ohio State with OSU winning the national championship. The Buckeyes are too strong, and Odum will dominate the middle, but he will go pro and be a number 1 draft choice this spring.
I think that the ACC is the strongest conference with the most balance top to bottom, but I don't see an ACC team making it to the Final Four.
Mr. Modrowski, are we adressing the men's or women's tournament here? I think the women's is more interesting. Or is that a separate blog that I missed. I smell an upset-look out for Prarie View!
I'm hoping Odum will stay another year, OSU had a heck of a recruiting year. They got the new record holder for the State of Ohio with over 3300 points and still in the hunt for more.
Good idea!
P.S. A U realy girl?