A Jersey Guy: And Then There Were (Final) Four
Will we have chaos and confusion or will the Final Four be a Chalk City, with a collection of high-seeded blue-bloods?
That's what we will learn in Indianapolis in the next five days as the Sweet 16 shrinks to The Final Four.
Let's take a look, region by region.
West Regional
No. 1 Gonzaga vs. No. 5 Creighton
Zags are starting to roll and Creighton is simply not good enough.
Gonzaga 89, Creighton 71
No. 6 USC vs. No. 7 Oregon
Who would have thought this Pac-12 showdown would take place in a Regional final? Toss up game, both teams are playing well, but hunch here is that USC prevails.
USC 66, Oregon 62
Gonzaga vs. USC--USC could give the Zags a game--for a half, but Coach Mark Few's team is too focused on the big prize.
Gonzaga 91, USC 76
Regional Champ: Gonzaga
East Regional
No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 3 FSU
Game will be played way above the rim for 40 or more minutes. FSU ends the Big Ten post season collapse.
FSU 88, Michigan 84
No. 11 UCLA vs. No. 2 Alabama
Alabama has more talent, but like USC, UCLA has found a magic formula. Bruins in a mild upset.
UCLA 78, Alabama 75
UCLA vs. FSU
Bill Walton's not coming through the door for the Bruins, who will need help from FSU (foul trouble, turnovers, missed threes) to win. They won't get it.
FSU 86, UCLA 79
Regional Champ: FSU
South Regional
No. 1 Baylor vs. No. 5 Villanova
As well as Villanova has been playing the past few games, Baylor is simply better.
Baylor 66, Villanova 61
No. 3 Arkansas vs. No. 15. Oral Roberts.
Tempted to pick ORU one more time for the sheer drama
Oh, why not.
Oral Roberts 83, Arkansas 79 (OT)
Baylor 87, ORU 71
Enough is enough say the Bad News Bears.
Regional champ: Baylor
Midwest Regional
No. 8 Loyola (Chicago) vs. No. 12 Oregon State
Great story line either way, but Loyola is more ready to continue its spotlight dance.
Loyola 66, Oregon State 58
No. 11 Syracuse vs. No. 2 Houston
Houston is better, but Syracuse has Buddy Boeheim and that zone defense which creates havoc for newcomers.
Syracuse 79, Houston 74
Loyola vs. Syracuse
Blue collar game, but we are sticking with Buddy and the Boys from the Cuse one more time.
Syracuse 74, Loyola 71
Regional champ: Syracuse