South Regional - MEMPHIS
The South is where I have this year's champion emerging. Some experts are saying that the Midwest is the "best" region, I have to say that the South is the weakest -- favoring UNC. North Carolina will have a cake walk to the Elite 8 which will give them a couple second halves to rest Mr. Lawson. But seriously, take a look at this region and tell me this isn't the "easiest". Without Syracuse's magical run last week, they'd probably have been cool with getting a No. 5 seed (they are a No. 3). Some people said (including me) that Oklahoma should have been a No. 3 seed (they are the No. 2 in the South), Gonzaga is a weak No. 4 seed, and Illinois is a weak No. 5. I'm having a hard time deciding if I want to gamble on either Arizona State or Clemson to beat Oklahoma...maybe neither. Either way, Congrats UNC!
Sweet 16:
North Carolina over Gonzaga
Oklahoma over Arizona State
Elite 8:
North Carolina over OK
NOTES: If the Tar Heels are without Ty Lawson for the critical part of the tournament (sweet 16 and beyond), you can forget their chance at winning it all. Lawson means everything to the UNC offense as well as to the tempo of the game. Lawson's speed combined with his amazing court vision have been the main reasons that UNC has been ranked in the top 10 all season. As they say: where Lawson goes, so go the Tar Heels.
I'm a little nervous about the Illini w/o Chester Frazier... who has started 30+ games in a row, until the Big Ten Tournament. Arizona State is quality... you know to look for future NBA ballers, and James Harden is one of them! Top 5 pick next year.
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