March Madness: 2008 NCAA Tournament Picks

Time for my annual March Madness picks.  This year, I’m proud to say that my hometown of Omaha will be hosting first and second round games. 

Without further ado, here are my predictions:

First Round Upsets:

Arkansas over Indiana, Winthrop over Washington St., Kent St. over UNLV, Siena over Vanderbilt, Davidson over Gonzaga, Temple over Michigan St., St. Mary’s over Miami, Texas A&M over BYU

Sweet Sixteen:

North Carolina, Notre Dame, Louisville, Butler, Kansas, Clemson, Wisconsin, Georgetown, Memphis, Pittsburgh, Marquette, Texas, UCLA, Drake, Xavier, Duke

Elite Eight:

North Carolina, Butler, Kansas, Wisconsin, Memphis, Texas, UCLA, Xavier

Final Four:

North Carolina, Kansas, Texas, UCLA

Championship Game:

Kansas vs. UCLA

National Champion:

Kansas Jayhawks

There’s too much in Kansas’ favor this year: a senior-laden team with lots of tournament experience who won’t be overlooking any lower-seeded opponents (due to some bad experiences in 2005 and 2006).  Not to mention that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the last time KU won a national championship (1988).  And Danny Manning, the star player from that championship team, is an assistant coach.  If talent, leadership, experience and momentum have anything to do with determining national champions, then Kansas is the team to beat.

I just hope I haven’t jinxed them.

Let the madness begin.

~ by ahalperin on March 18, 2008.