Final Four Picks

We're down to the Final Four. So here's who I think will emerge triumphant in Saturday's games.

Georgetown-Ohio State: For our first semifinal, everyone is going to talk about the battle of the big men. Oden vs Hibbert. But the way they've been in foul trouble, that may be one of the minor parts of the game. Both teams have escaped some close calls with Georgetown needing a buzzer beater to beat Vanderbilt and an astounding comeback and defensive performance down the stretch against UNC. Meanwhile, Ohio State needed large comebacks against both Tennessee and Xavier. This looks to truly be a coinflip game to me. I would be really surprised if this is not down to the wire. Georgetown has an incredible offense but Ohio State is nearly as good at executing when they need to. And since OSU has three losses this year, it's not like they've proven to be vulnerable. I'll take the guy who will be the #1 NBA pick this year though. Ohio State 69 Georgetown 68

UCLA-Florida: It's a rematch of last year's national championship in the second semifinal. I think UCLA will make sure this game is a little closer than last year's beatdown. UCLA has shown yet again that they may have the most fearsome defense in the country, able to make any team look bad. As I said before, Florida made the Bruins look bad last year and they're the same team. Meanwhile, according to Ken Pomeroy, UCLA is even more dependent on Afflalo than they were last year. So if the Gators can shut him down, it's likely curtains again for UCLA. But it's always hard to win the rematch. And with the constant pressures of repeating and remaining focussed, I wonder if this could be the game Florida slips on their road to repeat. Add in the rumors that Billy Donovan could be going to Kentucky after the season, and you have to wonder if Florida's mind is truly on this game. Still, I'll pick the Gators, but as I said don't expect another beatdown. Florida 68 UCLA 67