Predictions For Sunday's Elite Eight Games

Nothing too impressive about picking two number one seeds to win last night (which they did), but at least I wasn't wrong. With these last two games, the Final Four will be set.

Texas over Memphis

Reasons:

• Never have all four number one seeds reached the Final Four in the history of the NCAA Tournament. And until it happens...it cannot happen...because it has not happened. How insightful is that? Not that Texas is some huge upset, they may have been in line for a number one seed themselves before they lost to Kansas in the Big 12 title game.
• How can I be FOR Rick Barnes and AGAINST western PA's own John Calipari in a game that matters? I'm not really sure...just call it a hunch.
• The game is being played in Houston. Who do you think that favors?
• Memphis has an unfortunate knack for losing in the Elite Eight, having bowed out of the Tournament in this spot the past two years. I don't believe that's because Memphis doesn't have national champion type talent, but I don't think the absurdly soft Conference USA schedule adequately prepares them for crunch time.
• I feel that A.J. Abrams and D.J. Augustin are well suited to handle the athletic, turnover causing guards of Memphis. Texas defeated UCLA, Tennessee, and Kansas this year...and these two were a huge part of those victories.
• Confidence in this pick: 6.5

Kansas over Davidson

Reasons:

• I'm not listing any reasons as to why I'm making this pick. This is what I think will logically happen. That's not to say that this is what I want to happen. Davidson has been on one helluva ride...and I hope it continues.
• Confidence in this pick: N/A

1020 & 8101

Predictions For Saturday's Elite Eight Games

I was a solid 3 of 4 with Friday's Sweet Sixteen picks...including the amazing Davidson pick. Now we're on to the Elite Eight. Let's bang these out so I can get to sleep.

UCLA over Xavier

Reasons:

• Ben Howland may lose sometime during this NCAA Tournament, but he's not going to be denied here.
• Both head coaches have very direct ties to Pitt. I'm going with the coach that helped transform Pitt basketball into the respected program that it is today.
• Kevin Love and that outstanding razor-thin line beard thingy of his.
• PAC 10 over A-10. Every single time. Unless it was something like Oregon State vs. La Salle...then nobody would care.
• Davidson rocked the college basketball universe and made it to the Elite Eight...why the hell couldn't this also be the year that four number 1 seeds reach the Final Four?
• Confidence in this pick: 7.8

What's that Mr. Robert Goulet? You like UCLA in this game too and want to spring past Matt G. in the race for more labels? Then go right ahead!

North Carolina over Louisville

• Have you seen North Carolina play a game in this NCAA Tournament? Seriously? Have you watched what they've done in systematically tearing teams apart? I don't care if Louisville has a "chance", I'd be a fool to go against UNC here.
• How awesome would a North Carolina vs. Davidson Final Four game be? Think about that for a few seconds...let that soak in. (Let it be known that I am NOT jinxing either team by saying this. I'm merely asking the reader to think about something theoretically)
• Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
• What a coaching match-up!!! Dean Smith going against Denny Crum in what will surely be a battle for the ages!!! What's that you say? Crum isn't coaching them anymore and this entire two-post bit about Denny Crum isn't funny? Fair enough.
• HAVE YOU SEEN HOW NORTH CAROLINA HAS PLAYED THROUGHOUT THIS NCAA TOURNAMENT?!?!?
• Confidence in this pick: 9.5

1020 & 8101