In my youth I could recite Serge Zwikker’s assist to turnover ratio, could correctly answer whether Tony Delk had a neck, and could name the Fab Five’s bench, but I couldn’t scratch the top ten of any March Madness pool. For three years in a row, Dave Scher—.k.a. the kid whose parents wouldn’t buy him a TV and therefore knew nothing about sport—on the bracket. I wanted to sock him in his brace face. Countless hours were spent watching and analyzing college basketball games, only to be embarrassed when I had a chance to prove my knowledge come springtime.
In the last few years I have tried to steer clear of college games during the weeks leading up to the tourney, hoping that by knowing absolutely nothing, I would somehow beat the system. Well, it hasn’t worked. 2004 has been another year, another failed bracket. Despite that fact, I still have a sports column, and feel obliged to make predictions that probably no one else cares about.
This year’s Final Four takes place in good ol’ San Antonio, Texas, an apparent break from the 18 straight years in Indianapolis. Stetsons and stirrups will be in full effect at the Alamo. Texans know three things: high school football, executions, and how to host a Final Four, so you can expect a raucous crowd.
Without further ado, here are my previews and predictions for the Final Four. I have also included the early lines for you gambling addicts out there. Don’t go betting on my picks, chances are they will be wrong:
Georgia Tech vs. Oklahoma St.
6:07 pm Saturday
Early line: Cowboys by 5
Tech will be making their first trip to the Final Four since the days when Kenny Anderson could actually do something on the basketball court. Oklahoma St. is back for the first time since they had “Big Country” Bryant Reeves in ’95 (did anyone notice he looked more like a log roller than a basketball player in the stands last weekend?). Both teams do not have much tourney experience, but they have made up for it with extremely solid and clutch play in the first four rounds. Oklahoma State, who has the longest winning streak going right now (10 games) seems very hard to stop on the defensive end, as they have only allowed about 54 points a game in the tourney. They will have to find a solution for Tech’s super soph Jarrett Jack, who lit up Kansas for 29 on Sunday. Ok. St. will counter with Saturday’s hero, John Lucas Jr. But don’t forget slasher Tony Allen, as well as big man Joey Graham, who has been a force inside.
The X-Factor will be the Jackets’ B.J. Elder, who is questionable with an ankle injury. If he can play and has his outside shot going, he will give Jack more opportunities to slice the defense.
This game is a toss-up and will be a battle of defenses, but I have to go with the Cowboys because Lucas and Allen will prove to be too much for the young Jackets backcourt when the game is on the line. Also, only the Chicago Bulls can win when it counts with an Australian center. I mean, come on.
SCORE:
Oklahoma St. 67
Georgia Tech 62
Duke vs. UConn
8:47 pm Saturday
Early Line: Huskies by 2
Back in the day, a childish rhyme that I used to recite went a little something like this: Duke is puke, Wake is fake, The team I hate is N.C. State. Go Heels!
Yes, I am a die-hard UNC fan and am surprised it has been 600 words and I have only referenced them once. OK, so they lost in the second round this year, and while they are no longer in the tournament (they’ll win next year), I might as well focus my attention on rooting against the archrival Blue Devils.
The Huskies have yet to be challenged in the tourney, so it will be interesting to see how they handle playing in what will most definitely be a much closer game. Ben Gordon and Rashad Anderson have been on fire so far, and will continue their hot shooting Saturday. While Emeka Okafor is an accident waiting to happen down low, he is the inside presence needed to stop Shelden “Weird Head” Williams and Luol Deng’s driving ability. Duke will do nothing inside and will need a 12 for 12 three-point performance by J.J. Redick to have a chance. Alas, like in most big games, he will come up short (anyone remember his 2 for 16 masterpiece against Kansas last year in the Elite Eight?).
Duke is still puke. They will go down hard to UConn. Plus, it should be Wesleyan’s duty to support our Connecticut brethren, at least for this game. This state sucks, but at least they might give us something to be proud of. Well, Yale did win the lightweight crew national championship in 2002 (or at least that’s what they claim on that highway sign).
SCORE:
UConn 127
Duke 4
Fine, I will make a more realistic pick:
SCORE:
UConn 81
Duke 73
UConn vs. Oklahoma St.
Monday
Well if my prediction turns out to magically come through, I might as well write a short prediction for this one. The Cowboys’ tenacious D will finally be able to stop Gordon and Anderson from the outside. Graham is a star waiting to happen for Ok. St., and he will prove it by having the game of his life on the blocks against Okafor. This game will come down to the last few possessions and it will be Luca—ho has proved that he is clutch—who will lead the Cowboys to victory.
OK, so I’ll be honest. I picked Oklahoma State to win it all in my bracket. Despite the rest of my picks being horrible, I am rooting for them to maintain any sense of pride that still remains in my beaten soul.
SCORE:
Oklahoma St. 7
UConn 71
Well those are my predictions. For better insight, I recommend calling up Dave Scherr.
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