With NFL and NCAA football over, spring training isn’t in full swing for a while, the NBA is nearing the All-Star break and hockey, well, being hockey, sports fans. Americans have only one thing that grabs their attention: college basketball. NCAA basketball is right in the middle of its season and it’s showing some absolutely brilliant performances. So much so that February, the month that is notorious for gloomy weather and lack of festivities (well, there’s Valentine’s Day, but unless you’re a girl, this day is just another excuse for Hallmark and See’s to empty your wallet) is spreading joy across the country and giving us something to look forward to: March Madness.
I can’t think of any other place that offers as much as March Madness. The best 64 teams in the country face off in a unique tournament where old rivalries resurface and new rivalries are born. 63 games in 17 days! Dick Vitale screaming at the top of his lungs !! Buzz beaters, triple overtime and net cut celebrations !!! And how can you forget, SUPPORTS !!!! You can’t ask for anything more than that.
The excitement in me is building to dangerous levels. I just can’t wait to get started. Then I won’t. Here are the teams that I think will be in the Final Four in March.
1. Duke – The Blue Devils displayed incredible poise and determination by beating the Tarheels at Chapel Hill, two things every top four team needs. Coach K has his team firing at full blast. Barring some kind of injury to a major player, the Blue Devils will be there at the end.
2. Kansas – They can run and shoot AND they can set up half court. They can shoot all three and shoot down. The zone can defend Y man to man. They have size, strength, and speed. I don’t see any weakness. The Jayhawks are playing well and it will be a tough matchup for anyone.
3. UCLA – The Bruins have 5 players who average double figures in the point column. The only other teams that have that kind of depth are Duke, Kansas and Xavier. Simply put, the Bruins can attack him from any angle. Most teams simply won’t be able to handle that much firepower.
4. The Darkhorse – Drake – The Bulldogs are having a dream season. Yes, they don’t play 25 other teams during the regular season, but the confidence is huge in college basketball. And with just one loss on the season, Drake has a lot. (I would have picked North Carolina as fourth place, but with injuries to Ty Lawson and other Tarheel role players, North Carolina will have a hard time handling the ball) Drake is a team full of sharp shooters. If they can continue their hot streak, midnight may never come during Cinderella’s run in March.
These are my picks. But again, March Madness is known for its unpredictability. That is part of its appeal. You never really know what is going to happen.