The public's consensus favorite to win the whole thing is North Carolina. The truth is, even without Curtis Sumpter, the Wildcats from Villanova can hang with this UNC team. 'Nova is 12-1 SU and 6-3 ATS this year in non-conference games, and if we remember back, didn't 'Nova crush Kansas, another top contender when they weren't supposed to? Syracuse isn't that far from Philadelphia, about a five hour drive, so you can expect a full share of Wildcat fans inside the big bubble up there. 'Nova is 16-6 SU and 13-7 ATS their last 22 against teams with a winning record, and will find a way to outmuscle the Tar Heels and get the outright win by three in the shocker of all shockers.
Utah has the best player in this tournament, Andrew Bogut, who has the capability to put in 40 each night because he gets so many touches. Kentucky has lots of freshman, including PG Rajon Rondo and C Randolph Morris, who has lots of qualities that a young Tim Duncan once had. No flash, but all fundamentals. As for the game tonight, Bogut will prove to be too tough for the 'Cats, as the Utes upset the 'Cats by two tonight.
Duke can't cover a big number, we all know that. But four isn't a lot, and this Mich St team is from a Big Ten that had Iowa AND Minnesota get spanked in the first round and Wisconsin struggle against N Iowa AND Bucknell. Duke is 3-0 SU and ATS their last three as a neutral court favorite of three and a half to six points, and beat this same Mich St team earlier this season by seven at home laying five and a half. They shot a solid 51% from the field, scoring at will on this Spartan team. Expect similar results tonight as the Cameron Crazies move on to the Elite Eight.
