Pete Fiutak 
Q: And the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament will be ... ?

A: When doing crucial, life-altering analysis like ordering takeout, choosing a wife or filling out a bracket, the first main step is to eliminate as many risk factors as possible. For example, here's what we know as an absolute given.
1) Washington isn't going to be in the Final Four. As a quirky three-seed? Sure. As a sleeper two? Absolutely. Not as a one. It's like the old Eddie Murphy joke about Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Johnson beaming down to a planet's surface. You know which one isn't coming back. (Keep your East Coast bias stuff to yourself. Yes, I've watched this team play several times.)
2) I love North Carolina. You love North Carolina. Roy Williams is coaching North Carolina. You know in your heart of hearts this team is too flaky to win it all.
3) Illinois plays four home games including a way-too-unfair Regional round in Chicago. As much as you might like someone else, Illinois has too many dates close to home to assume a loss.
4) A couple of 11 and 12 seeds will likely get through. Since 1985, the 11 and 12 seeds are 50-110 in the first round.
5) Cross off Georgia Tech. All the experts are picking the Yellow Jackets as a "sleeper" pick. There's too much buzz.
6) Bobby Knight's team isn't going anywhere.
7) You can't make a pick happen. All you can do is project. Just because you make a wacky pick, it doesn't mean it'll work out. With all of that in mind ...

Syracuse region – North Carolina – The rest of the world is slobbering way too much over this region. Connecticut is a lock for the Sweet 16, but Kansas is average at best right now and Florida is, well, Florida able to get knocked out in the first round or get to the Final Four. North Carolina has a bizarre habit of taking time off during games, but it's way too good not to win four and get to St. Louis.

Austin region – Utah - Every once in a while, a player takes over a tournament and makes it his. Dwyane Wade carried Marquette to the Final Four two years ago, Bryant Reeves was the man in 1995 taking Oklahoma State to the Four, and Andrew Bogut is going to dominate this year leading Utah past UTEP, past Oklahoma, over Kentucky and in a classic against Duke/Michigan State winner to win the Austin bracket.

Albuquerque region – Wake Forest - Call this the copout pick. I don't believe in Washington thinking Pacific has the potential to pull off the upset in the second round and I can't see anyone else beating Wake Forest. Everyone will be taking the Demon Deacons, but it's a good pick. This is a high-flying, high-scoring team.

Chicago region – Illinois – I'd pick Alabama over the Illini if they played in any of the other bracket, but no one is beating Illinois in Chicago. Oklahoma State will be the chic pick, but watch out for Southern Illinois and LSU.

In St. Louis, I'm going with the dream matchup of Illinois over North Carolina. Guards win national championships, and Illinois has the best. This team has the look and feel of Michigan State of 2000.

Richard Cirminiello  
Q: And the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament will be ... ?

Austin Regional – Syracuse – This time of year, there’s something to be said for experience.  Four Orange starters played key roles in the school’s national championship run two years ago, and seniors Hakim Warrick and Gerry McNamara form one of the top inside-outside combo in America.  Syracuse comes in confident after winning their first Big East tournament in 13 years.

Albuquerque – Wake Forest – Isn’t there always one team that has a terrific season, but just doesn’t quite look right as a No. 1 seed?  This year, that school is Washington.  Provided Wake guard Chris Paul doesn’t try to do a Moe Howard impression on any opponents, the Deacons will prove to be the class of a pretty shallow region.

Chicago – Oklahoma State – Rule No. 1 in sports.  Whatever looks the most obvious, rarely happens.  We all know Illinois is 32-1, taking a bus to all of their games, and allowed to go on a power play if they get down by more than a bucket in the second half of any game.  Blah, blah, blah.  The Illini have been amazing, but this is March, when predictability takes a three-week holiday.  Okie State has the right mix of veteran leadership, inside and outside presence and experience on the bench.  The winner of this game will be crowned the national champion.

National Champion – Oklahoma State       

John Harris
Q: And the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament will be ... ?

A: Although there is no scientific proof that throwing a dart at the bracket four times might actually get you closer to the ‘real’ Final Four, I’m beginning to think that this might be the year to test that theory.  With that being said, here are my ‘educated’ dart tosses for the Final Four.

Syracuse region – North Carolina – One of my favorite sayings sums up why UNC will be dancing in St. Louis – “You don’t win with X’s and O’s, you win with Jimmies and Joes”.  Translation – you need talent to win, and they have plenty.  Georgia Tech did a solid job of slowing the transition game in the semis of the ACC tournament, and relegating them to a half court offense (well, Mr. Bynum went off, too).  But, if opponents do that, they’ve got to find a way to stop Sean May, one of the best bigs in the country.  Oh yeah, if you want to run with Ray Felton and his boys, you’re done.

Austin region – Syracuse – There’s something to be said for a team that’s ‘been there’.  Hakim Warrick is so long that he can be frustrating to guard, and in a matchup with Duke, he’ll probably draw the Landlord, Shelden Williams, out of the paint, giving Josh Pace room to penetrate and work his ‘mid-range’ magic as he did in the Big East tournament.  Gerry McNamara can get smoking hot from the perimeter and shoot opponents right out of the game, similar to his well-publicized region-mate JJ Redick of Duke.

Albuquerque region – Wake Forest – I think of all the brackets, this bracket has the potential of being turned upside down.  Chris Paul returns after landing the ‘Shot heard round the Triangle’, and it was evident how much he was missed in the loss to NC State in the ACC quarterfinals.  His energy (when positive, of course) drives this team, and his ability to penetrate (i.e. against a lack of defensive stalwarts) should create a lot for himself and spot up shooters Justin Gray and Taron Downey.  But, for Wake to head to St. Louis, Eric Williams has to get touches on the block and be strong on the glass – no one in this region should be able to keep the big fella from dominating inside.

Chicago region – Oklahoma State – Yes, I’m going to catch all kinds of business for this, but I think that Illinois got the best #2 seed in the tournament in their bracket.  The reason that I think they can go back to the Final Four is how they’ll matchup with Illinois.  The Cowboys would struggle against a dominant interior squad, but against a three guard lineup like Illinois possesses, I like the Cowboys’ chances.  Joey Graham is so tough due to his versatility and John Lucas III has been completely overshadowed this year.  The rookie Jameson Curry has to shoot well, but I like OSU’s quickness and defense.  Oh yeah, they’ve been there, too.

UNC should beat Syracuse, while Oklahoma State should do the same against Wake Forest in the semis.  Then, Roy Williams will get his championship on Monday night as the Tar Heels roll.