NCAA Tournament Projections: Chaperoning the Dance - January 18th, 2010

The college basketball season is in full gear as teams are jockeying for positions within their respective conferences for the 2010 NCAA Tournament. As the season has progressed, parity is becoming more evident. Although Kentucky and Texas remain undefeated, neither has defeated a top tier team. There are legitimately 10 teams that could cut down the nets in April.

Predictions:

• West - Kansas walks through the Midwest bracket cutting the nets down close to home in St Louis. They will avenge an earlier loss to Tennessee in the regional championship in what will be an up tempo game.

• East - Upsets reign in the East bracket as the favored Kentucky Wildcats are upset by Purdue in the Sweet 16. The regional final is a Big Ten match-up as Michigan State defeats Purdue and makes yet another trip to The Final Four.

• South - The # 1 overall seed Texas Longhorns make to the regional in their home state as they defeat a tough Georgetown team in the Sweet 16. Bob Huggins’ West Virginia Mountaineers upset Duke in the Sweet 16 in a game that is an all-time classic. In front of a partisan crowd, Texas cannot put away WV. The Mountaineers make it to the Final Four.

• Midwest - Syracuse, behind legendary coach Jim Boeheim, will make the journey to the regional final where they will face conference rival Villanova. The Cuse has little problems on their journey while Villanova escapes with a close victory over Ohio State. The Orangemen’s zone defense is exploited by the talented guards of Nova led by the talented Scottie Reynolds. Nova cuts down the nets in St. Louis.

Final Four-Indianapolis, Indiana:

• Kansas vs. Michigan State - Kansas is a very athletic team led by senior PG Sherron Collins and freshmen sensation Xavier Henry. The key to the game for Kansas will be to keep dominate the boards behind 6-11 Cole Aldrich. The Spartans return to the Final Four after losing in the title game last season. They are led by stud PG Kalin Lucas and silky smooth swing man Raymar Morgan. The game will be a tightly contested affair with the toughness of the Spartans sending them to the title game.

• Villanova vs. West Virginia - The Big East match-up features two very athletic teams. Villanova is led by All-American guard Scottie Reynolds and backcourt mate Corey Fisher. The Wildcats love to get out and run and push the pace. They will face a willing suitor in West Virginia. The Mountaineers make their first trip to The Final Four since 1959. They are a balanced team led by stud forward Da’Sean Butler and 6-8 freshmen Kevin Jones is also an athletic scorer. The Mountaineers size and defense will be the difference as they harass the smaller guards of Nova.

Championship Game

• The Spartans suffered an embarrassing loss in last year’s title game to North Carolina. They suffered some hangover entering the season but bounced back nicely throughout the Big Ten season. They will play well throughout the tournament behind strong guard play. West Virginia will have the overall athletic advantage but will not be able to handle the guard play of Lucas. Tom Izzo cuts down the nets, Michigan State 78 West Virginia 73

By: Stemavo Rheulus
CollegeSports-fans.com Staff Writer & 2010 NCAA Tournament Projections

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