Louisville will cut down the nets

By Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
The NCAA Tournament is one of pure excitement, this year will be no different. Is there a clear-cut favorite? No. Probably about a handful of teams really can win this thing, but you just never know. That's why they play the games.

Here are my Final Four teams (if you use my picks to gamble in Vegas, don't blame me when you lose your shirt!):

Final Four

Louisville vs. Memphis -- The Cardinals, winners of 10 straight games, have one of the best coaches in the country in Rick Pitino, who makes sure his team is prepared to play at a high level every single night. The Cards don't feature one true scorer, they're just a balanced bunch who likes to run the floor. But defense is where they really shine and wear down opponents. They are one of the best pressure defenses in the tournament and that's where they really flusters teams. I hate to say it, but Memphis will run all over my beloved UConn Huskies to reach the Final Four.

Pittsburgh vs. North Carolina -- Man, Pitt just likes to punch you right in the face with bulldozer DeJuan Blair (15.6 ppg). You just can't move him in the paint, that's why the Panthers always have a distinct advance down low with Blair. You get him in foul trouble, however, and things change slightly. The also handled UConn twice in the Big East, so they are legit. 

UNC has great balance, it can beat you from the perimeter or from the post. Make no mistake, forward Tyler Hansbrough (21.4 ppg) makes this team go. He's an instant spark for the Heels and a tough matchup for anyone. An injury to point guard Ty Lawson (15.9 ppg) worries me a little, but my gut says he's plays later in the tournament. If he's at least 75 percent, watch out. The uptempo style will be too much for Pitt to contend with in the end. Wayne Ellington (15.2 ppg), Danny Green (13.3 ppg) and Deon Thompson (11.2 ppg) give the Heels 5 players who average in double figures.

Championship game

Louisville vs. North Carolina --- Defense, defense, defense. It could be a track meet game, but Louisville's pressure from the opening tip to the final buzzer will eventually leave the Heels huffing and puffing for air. 

National Champion

Louisville -- Will Pitino cry like a little baby. We did after he ruined the Boston Celtics.