There’s no place like New Orleans.
Unfortunately for the 16 teams still remaining in the NCAA tournament, only four of them will get to experience the Big Easy.
Here’s my Elite Eight predictions and what four squads will have a chance to cut down the nets in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on April 2.
SOUTH REGION
No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 10 Xavier
With the wrist injury to North Carolina guard Kendall Marshall, Kentucky is now the odds-on favorite to win it all.
Expect Xavier to take down Baylor in the Sweet 16 and face the tough task of trying to stay with the Wildcats.
If the Musketeers have any hope of stopping Kentucky, senior guard Tu Holloway will have to play the game of his life. Senior center Kenny Frease gives Xavier a legitimate post presence who just might be able to push Kentucky’s freshman phenom Anthony Davis around on the inside.
But, in the end, the Wildcats will be too much to handle.
Kentucky coach John Calipari simply has too many weapons at his disposal. His starting lineup will all be first-round picks in the 2012 NBA Draft.
But the Wildcats won’t be satisfied by simply making it to the Final Four. They want to win one for coach Calipari.
Final Four Pick: Kentucky
WEST REGION
No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 3 Marquette
When it comes to the Sweet 16, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo has been there, done that.
Despite a tough matchup with Louisville, I like the Spartans to face one of the hottest teams in the tournament – the Marquette Golden Eagles.
The main reason I predicted these two teams to meet was so I can see Michigan State’s Draymond Green face off against Marquette’s Jae Crowder. Both players were Big 10 and Big East conference players of the year and are difference makers for their teams.
It comes down to Izzo slowing the tempo and avoiding a fast-paced game like Marquette coach Buzz Williams wants. It’s much easier to slow a game down than speed one up.
That will be the difference. The “Dancing Bear” will continue his two-step to New Orleans.
Final Four Pick: Michigan State
EAST REGIONAL
No. 1 Syracuse vs. No. 6 Cincinnati
The Orange has rallied around seniors Scoop Jardine and Kris Joseph, causing spectators to ask: Where’s Fab Melo?
Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim’s 2-3 zone, even without the imposing big man in the middle, has been tough for its first two opponents to figure out.
I’ve fallen in love with Cincinnati’s senior center Yancy Gates and the rest of the Bearcats. They are the most physical team left in the tournament.
With Syracuse’s weak road here, Cincinnati will punch the Orange in the mouth and expose its lack of a dominant shot blocker or imposing presence to challenge Gates.
In a Big East showdown, I give the edge to the Bearcats.
Final Four Pick: Cincinnati
MIDWEST REGIONAL
No. 1 UNC vs. No. 2 Kansas
UNC is screwed.
No matter how much Tar Heels’ coach Roy Williams tries to church it up, there’s no way Kendall Marshall will play at all this weekend after fracturing his wrist on Sunday.
And that isn’t the Tar Heels only wrist issue. Forward John Henson suffered a wrist injury in the ACC tournament, and he’s still not 100 percent.
It’s not like UNC gets to play a cupcake, either.
Despite stealing a 63-60 victory over Purdue in the round of 32, Kansas has Final Four written all over it.
No matter who gets National Player of the Year, Thomas Robinson is the best player in the country. He will dominate Henson down low and put the Jayhawks on his back all the way to the Crescent City.
Final Four Pick: Kansas
Micah Bedard is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from Houma. Follow him on Twitter @DardDog.
 
 
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Contact Micah Bedard at [email protected]