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NCAA Tournament: East Great Eight Breakdown and Final Four Pick

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John Calipari is at it again.  Just like in 2008, the controversial coach will take a team into the NCAA Tournament as a #1 Seed.  Also just like in 2008, Coach Cal’s team will be led by a superstar freshman.  Will Calipari finally cut down the nets?

I don’t think so.  In fact, I don’t even believe that Coach Cal and the Kentucky Wildcats make it to the Final Four.

Great Eight & Final Four:  East

Teams that Will Make It to the Great Eight:  #1 Kentucky and #2 West Virginia

#1 Kentucky Wildcats:  It will not be easy for Kentucky to get to the Great Eight.  Texas was ranked #1 for at least a week earlier this year.  So, they’re going to be tough in the second round.  In the third round, Temple or Wisconsin can play the type of game that could frustrate the Wildcats’ terrific freshman, John Wall.

So getting to the Great Eight won’t be easy but Wall and the rest of his teammates are just too talented for Texas, Temple or Wisconsin.

#2 West Virginia Mountaineers: New Mexico is okay, not great.  Clemson or Missouri shouldn’t be able to handle the Mountaineers and Marquette?  Well, West Virginia knows Marquette and has already beaten them.  Washington is a pretty good team, but the Mountaineers are too tough to not make it to the Great Eight.

Top Two Upset Teams:  #8 Texas and #11 Washington

#8  Texas Longhorns:  At one time, not that long ago actually, there was talk that two teams would secure #1 Seeds in the NCAA Tournament from the Big 12. Those two teams were Kansas and Texas.  Texas had an up and down regular season but Damion Jones is an absolute beast averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds.  Dexter Pittman averages 11 and 6 and their coach, Rick Barnes, is a master motivator.  Yes, one of their guards is going to have to step it up but if Barnes can get someone to do it, then these guys could really surprise Kentucky in the second round.

#11 Washington Huskies:  Wow.  The Pac-10 was really that bad?  Washington won the Pac-10 Tournament and the best they get is a #11 seed?  The Huskies battled Georgetown earlier in the year, losing by 8, and beat Texas A&M.  That’s not too bad and the Huskies are definitely peaking at the right time. They’ve won 7 games in a row. 

Final Four Pick:  West Virginia

They haven’t been dominating teams, but they’re too experienced to lose to Kentucky.  At least, that’s what I believe.

The Mountaineers not only have that experience but they know how to survive in a tough game.  They beat Villanova 68 to 66, Cincinnati 54 to 51, Notre Dame 53 to 51 and Georgetown 60 to 58 in their last four games. That’s four tough contests in a row and four victories for West Virginia. 

Coach Bob Huggins has taken a team to the Final Four before, remember Cincinnati, anyone?  And Huggins is dying to get back.

The Mountaineers never give up and are always, always tough to beat.  Kentucky is more talented.  I don’t disagree with that fact, but when push comes to shove, I’ll take the experienced, scrappy team over a team led by a freshman any day.

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