Philly Sports Today

After 60 games in an eight day span, the 2009 NCAA Tournament has trimmed its field from 65 all the way down to the Final Four. North Carolina, Connecticut, Michigan State, and Villanova will all take the Ford Field floor on Saturday night in Detroit, Michigan for their National Semifinal games with hopes of cutting down the nets. However, come Monday night, only one team will be able to have their one shining moment. So far, my picks haven’t exactly been what one would call “good,” but that’s not going to stop me from predicting the final three games of the NCAA Tournament. Without further ado, here are my Final Four picks.

Final Four
National Semifinals
1. Connecticut over 2. Michigan State
Rationale: I didn’t think that either team would make it this far, but UConn seems to be peaking right now. The past two times that the Huskies were put in the West Region (1999 and 2004), they went on to win it all. Unlike Louisville, UConn will not be out-toughed by Michigan State as they win in front of a very hostile and pro-Spartans crowd.

1. North Carolina over 3. Villanova
Rationale: This is where Villanova’s Cinderella run comes to a screeching halt. Three of the past four years that the Wildcats have been eliminated from the tournament has been at the hands of the eventual national champion (North Carolina in 2005, Florida in 2006, Kansas in 2008). That trend will continue this year as the Tar Heels’ experience, size, and depth of talent will be too much for Nova. UNC will not be humiliated in the Final Four for a second straight year.

National Championship
1. North Carolina over 1. Connecticut
Rationale: The Tar Heels have been my pick since the beginning, so it’s not worth changing it now. UNC seems to be playing like the best team in the country right now. No team has as much depth as the Tar Heels and no team in the entire country can match their talent. UNC would probably have a decent chance at beating a bad NBA team like the Sacramento Kings. That’s how good they are. Ty Lawson and Tyler Hansbrough will not be denied from their ultimate goal in their final game as Tar Heels. North Carolina will cuts down the nets for the second time in five seasons.