Semifinals

So I’m 38-22 this year so far. In other words, awesome.

North Carolina v. Kansas

Wow wow wow. There will be a lot of talent on the floor for this one. I’ve held that Kansas is the most talented team in the country: their top seven is insane (I mean, would any Duke starter crack that rotation? Maybe Henderson. MAYBE). But my one concern with the Jayhawks all year has been this: when you need a basket, who are you looking to? It’s a game-by-game deal with them, and I don’t think that cuts it in April. On the other side, there’s no question. I think it’s close, and I think one team knows what it’s doing in close games more than the other. UNC, 76-73.

Memphis v. UCLA

Like I said in the other post, when Memphis plays its best, I can’t envision them being beaten. I want to pick UCLA (they were my national champion all season), but look what the Tigers have done to some pretty good backcourts the last two games in Michigan State and Texas. For as much pub as Kevin Love gets, the Bruins’ most important player might be Darren Collison–their losses (and the blown lead against Western Kentucky) coincide with his poorer performances. Can Collison slow down Derrick Rose (he struggled a lot with Tyrone Brazelton), and will Rose and the Tigers’ taller guards prevent UCLA from getting into its offense? I don’t think the Bruins can answer both of those questions, and Joey Dorsey is playing well enough to negate Love inside. Memphis gets revenge from ‘06, 73-66.