2008 Woodie Awards
Memphis gets over Final Four hump
Rob Amaefule
Issue date: 3/19/08 Section: Sports
Some say it's parity while others say it's mediocrity, but for the first time in a while, the men's NCAA basketball tournament will jump-start this week with no clear favorites. This usually leads to a looney March, full of wild games and stunning upsets.
FINAL FOUR
West - This region is considered one of the weaker regions in the bracket. With two of the Top 5 seeds held by mid-majors, it should be a walk in the park for No. 1-seeded UCLA.
With the bull's-eye on the backs of the Bruins, expect them to stumble into the Sweet Sixteen before getting upset by third-seeded Xavier. The Musketeers should have no problem getting there playing an unknown Baylor squad and a young Duke team.
Xavier, led by senior guard Drew Lavender, will play the role of the relentless mid-major and advance to the Final Four.
South - Texas is a team that many analysts have raved about throughout the entire year. Its inside-outside game, which sophomore guard D.J. Augustine and forward Damion James have mastered, is a major reason why. This should propel the Longhorns to the Elite 8, where they will meet top-seeded Memphis.
The Tigers should get through the South Region with relative ease.
East - Third-seeded Louisville will encounter a major roadblock in its pursuit when it plays second-seeded Tennessee in the Sweet Sixteen. Tennessee has already proven it can win the big game; it knocked off an undefeated Memphis team on the road early this season.
However, the Volunteers' lack of a post game may lead to their demise. Louisville will exploit that weakness with a post threat of its own from senior center David Padgett, and that may help the team advance to the Elite 8, where it will take on No.1-seeded North Carolina. This may wind up as the most compelling game of the tournament, as both teams are well coached under Louisville's Rick Pitino and North Carolina's Roy Williams.
The Tar Heels have a better overall rotation than Louisville and have a more solid interior game, led by senior Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough. My upset instinct tells me North Carolina will simply choke, much like last year, and give the Final Four berth to the Cardinals.
FINAL FOUR
West - This region is considered one of the weaker regions in the bracket. With two of the Top 5 seeds held by mid-majors, it should be a walk in the park for No. 1-seeded UCLA.
With the bull's-eye on the backs of the Bruins, expect them to stumble into the Sweet Sixteen before getting upset by third-seeded Xavier. The Musketeers should have no problem getting there playing an unknown Baylor squad and a young Duke team.
Xavier, led by senior guard Drew Lavender, will play the role of the relentless mid-major and advance to the Final Four.
South - Texas is a team that many analysts have raved about throughout the entire year. Its inside-outside game, which sophomore guard D.J. Augustine and forward Damion James have mastered, is a major reason why. This should propel the Longhorns to the Elite 8, where they will meet top-seeded Memphis.
The Tigers should get through the South Region with relative ease.
East - Third-seeded Louisville will encounter a major roadblock in its pursuit when it plays second-seeded Tennessee in the Sweet Sixteen. Tennessee has already proven it can win the big game; it knocked off an undefeated Memphis team on the road early this season.
However, the Volunteers' lack of a post game may lead to their demise. Louisville will exploit that weakness with a post threat of its own from senior center David Padgett, and that may help the team advance to the Elite 8, where it will take on No.1-seeded North Carolina. This may wind up as the most compelling game of the tournament, as both teams are well coached under Louisville's Rick Pitino and North Carolina's Roy Williams.
The Tar Heels have a better overall rotation than Louisville and have a more solid interior game, led by senior Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough. My upset instinct tells me North Carolina will simply choke, much like last year, and give the Final Four berth to the Cardinals.
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