Mike's Final Four Picks


While there is no clear cut, dominant team this year, there are plenty of solid choices to make it to Indianapolis in April (Do we call it April Apoplexy?) Anyway, here are my choices to be the last four standing and some who might crash the party.

Duke - With two All-American candidates and a Hall of Fame coach, success is usually a given. Seniors Shelden Williams and J.J. Redick provide the inside/outside axis the Duke revolves around. Surround that with an improved Sean Dockery and Lee Melchionni, the versatile Demarcus Nelson, and one of the best freshmen classes in the country, and you have a very formidable team. Look for this team, because of its depth, to run more on offense and extend their defense much farther up the floor. Coach K, fresh off being named as the USA National team coach, is energized and excited about this squad, openly talking about their championship potential. They are my favorite to give Duke its fourth national championship.


Texas - Coach Rick Barnes has established Texas as a national power in basketball and this year should only solidify that standing. He has three studs at three different positions-Center Lamarcus Aldridge, Point Guard Daniel Gibson and Small Forward P.J. Tucker. As a sophomore, look for Gibson to be more comfortable and make better decisions. Tucker seems to have put his academic problems behind him and will be a factor for the whole season. Aldridge is healed from a hip injury from last year and has added muscle and stamina. Mike Williams and Brad Buckman give the Longhorns tremendous size and depth up front. The only weaknesses for this team might be depth at the two guard and a propensity to turn the ball over. Texas should bounce back from a first round tournament loss last year and advance to Indy.


Oklahoma - Kelvin Sampson’s Sooners also boast a solid triumvirate in Terrell Everett, Taj Gray and Kevin Bookout. Everett was not recruited as a point guard, but quickly became acclimated to his new position, being proclaimed by Sampson as the team’s MVP last year. Gray is a beast inside at the power forward position that has a soft touch and runs the floor extremely well. The rock of the team might be Bookout. A great post player who always makes solid decisions with the ball, his steady play is a key for this team. Turnovers and perimeter offense are the only concerns for Oklahoma. I think if Everett continues to grow at the point, they will be competing for a national championship this year.


Michigan State- Tom Izzo is no stranger to the Final Four and this year’s Spartan squad might reacquaint him with the championship trophy. While they lost some key players from last year’s Final Four team, Izzo has talent to call on. They might have two of the premier wing players in the country in Shannon Brown and Maurice Ager. Both are strong and athletic, and fit Izzo’s system perfectly. A key may be if Center Paul Davis can be a consistently dominant force inside. The maturation and physical development of point guard Drew Neitzel will also be critical. This Spartan team is not as deep as some that have gone before them, so the health of their core performers will be essential. If Davis steps up, look for this team to be there for the final weekend of the season.



Others with a shot

UCONN- I thought they were a lock for the Final Four until off the court issues arose. They lost one point guard, A.J. Price for the season due to suspension and lost their other point, Marcus Williams, until January for similar infractions. The Huskies have a load of talent in Rudy Gay, Josh Boone, and Denham Brown, but they must overcome the adversity of the summer to be a factor.

Villanova- A key injury might have derailed the Wildcats hopes when Curtis Sumpter went down with a preseason knee injury. They are wildly talented in the back court with Mike Nardi, Randy Foye and Allan Ray, but Jason Fraser must stay healthy and contribute to keep their title hopes alive.


Gonzaga- The Zags have shed the mid-major tag. Now they must make a deep run into March to become a national power. They lose Rony Turiaf, but Coach Mark Few has the horses to compete. J.P. Batista takes over for Turiaf and may actually have more skill inside. Derek Raivio is solid at the point and they have an All-American candidate in small forward Adam Morrison. Perimeter offense could be an issue, but if Morrison expands his game with three point shooting, Gonzaga could make it to Indy.