NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four Predictions
After starting with a field of 65 of the best college teams in the nation and four rounds of games, we are down to four teams that have survived the challenge. Each team has shown they deserve to be here and now have the chance to play one more game to earn a shot at playing for the 2009 National Championship.Two number one seeds have advanced along with a number two and three. There are no Cinderella’s here just four solid teams who all have a chance to be crowned the best.
Here are my predictions for Saturday’s games both even up and against the spread (ATS)
Game One – MSU vs. UConn Prediction:
Michigan State Spartans vs. Connecticut Huskies -4.5
Michigan State has looked impressive in this tournament battling through the Mid West Region knocking off Kansas and a heavily favored Louisville to earn a spot in the Final Four. Plus, they will have the advantage of playing this next game in front of their home crowd at Ford Field in Detroit. Connecticut, who struggled somewhat at the end of the regular season, still played well enough to earn the last number one seed. Once the tournament started, they turned on the burners and breezed through the first three rounds and beat a very good Missouri team to win the West Regional. With both teams coming into this contest playing their best ball of the season, this game has all the makings of an Instant Classic. When examining the crucial matchups that will ultimately decide this game, the Huskies have just a bit more all around talent along with a coach who knows how to motivate his team when they need it the most. I have Connecticut winning this one by 4.
Game 2 – Nova vs. UNC Prediction:
Villanova Wildcats vs. North Carolina Tar Heels -8.0
Villanova stumbled out of the gate beating American in a much closer game than expected, but has never looked back since. With wins over Duke and the number one seed, Pittsburgh they have shown they are for real and will pose a tough test for any team. North Carolina has played like a well oiled machine with a double digit margin of victory in all four games. Ty Lawson’s health is no longer a question mark and everyone on this team is playing at a very high level. It would take a tremendous effort for Villanova to upset North Carolina, as not only are the Tar Heels the better team, coach Roy Williams has kept last year’s loss in this round fresh in his player’s heads. Make it five in a row by double figures, as North Carolina wins by 10.
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