Nutria's Bold New Predictions

In my sleep last night, I had visions. Vivid dreams of teams dancing in the streets of Indianapolis. I can't explain much of it. I don't know why there was a sperm whale dressed in a tuxedo talking about isosceles triangles. I can only tell you what I saw. For some reason, these feelings evaded me before the tournament started. But now everything is crystal clear, and I've seen the future of March Madness. Let me share my gift of premonition with you. It's probably too late to save your bracket. But it's not too late to bet your life savings on the outcome of these games. I trust that you'll do the right thing, just like Biff in "Back To The Future 2"...when he married Lea Thompson's character.

Midwest Region

#5 Michigan State vs. #9 Northern Iowa

Prediction: UNI
I think Tom Izzo is one of the top 3 or 4 coaches in the country. However, when the Spartans lost their point guard Kalin Lucas, they lost their leader on the court. MSU needs all the firepower they can get against a Northern Iowa defense rated 2nd in the nation (54.3 points per game), and they couldn't afford to lose Lucas. Rebounding is the Spartans' strength, but the Panthers will challenge them on the boards. As long as UNI shoots decently, I expect them to win.

#2 Ohio State vs. #6 Tennessee

Prediction: Ohio St.
Evan Turner is the best player in college basketball. He led the Big Ten in points and rebounds, and was second in steals and assists. Turner also has a good supporting cast of scorers and defensive stoppers. Though the Buckeyes don't have a deep bench, their starters are good enough to lead them to the Final Four (much how I feel about Duke). In order to stay in this game, Tennessee needs to get Ohio State in foul trouble and make their free throws.

West Region

#1 Syracuse vs. #5 Butler

Prediction: Syracuse
Arinze Onuaku is coming back from his injury! Not that it matters much. I think Syracuse could win this one without him. Except for Shelvin Mack, Butler has been struggling from the arc. Three pointers aren't going to be any easier against the vaunted Orange 2-3 zone. On the defensive side, Wesley Johnson will create problems for the Bulldogs. He can drive to the hoop or hit the outside shot or just create opportunities for Andy Rautins or post players. Not to mention, the Orange have a couple of reserve players who would start on any other team - Scoop Jardine and Kris Joseph.

#2 Kansas State vs. #6 Xavier

Prediction: K-State
This game is definitely a toss-up. One of the teams from Kansas has to make the Elite Eight, right? Yeah, that's basically my logic. That, and the fact that K-State has two scorers who can go "en feugo" at any time. And this is Chris Mack's first year as coach of Xavier.

East Region

#1 Kentucky vs. #12 Cornell

Prediction: Kentucky

Although Cornell holds the edge in three-point and free-throw shooting, the Big Red won't be able to compete with the superior athletes of Kentucky. I'm not just talking about defending the scoring threats of Wall, Cousins, and Patterson. The Wildcats limit opposing teams to 38% shooting and can run with a fast-paced Cornell team.

#2 West Virginia vs. #11 Washington

Prediction: West Virginia
I think the team with the better defense wins this matchup. That's the Mountaineers, who only give up 63 points per game. Both teams are athletically gifted and deep, but I expect the "long and rangy" players of West Virginia to slow down the tempo and use the 1-3-1 zone to stifle the Huskies' offense. I don't expect UW's hot shooting streak from three point range to continue (55% in last two games versus a regular season average 33%). Not concerned about the absence of WV's point guard Truck Bryant, but I will be when they face Kentucky.

South Region

#1 Duke vs. #4 Purdue

Prediction: Duke
Until now, I didn't realize how much the Blue Devils relied on perimeter scoring. But the truth is, they have three guys who can shoot from three point range. Guard John Scheyer has been struggling as of late from beyond the arc, yet Duke has still blown out teams in the tournament. Purdue is still trying to prove itself after losing their best player Robbie Hummel late in the season. Because Duke clearly has a shooting advantage, the Boilermakers will need to control the paint to have any chance in this matchup. This one could be a blowout, since Purdue is a poor rebounding team.

#3 Baylor vs. #10 St. Mary's

Prediction: Baylor
After steamrolling opponents in the past two games, big man Omar Samhan of St. Mary's will have his hands full with Baylor center Ekpe Udoh, an excellent shot-blocker and rebounder. If Samhan gets in foul trouble, I think the Gaels are toast. St. Mary's is not a physical team, and this game will get away from them if they don't make their threes. Baylor is extremely balanced, with skilled ballhandler Tweety Carter and shooter Lacedarius Dunn complementing Udoh's inside game. The Bears are my pick to make it out of the South Region.

Final Four: Ohio State, Syracuse, Kentucky, Baylor
Sorry, Dukies, not enough depth. Hopefully I don't have to eat my words later.

Champion: Kentucky
They're young, but they're awfully good. It's time for Calipari to get his first title. There may be a sense of urgency, because these Wildcat players are already thinking about the NBA.

Congratulations to my sister-in-law Tina (The Sly Fox) for being in first place after the first two rounds. Sadly, like the Roman Emperor Didius Julianus, your reign atop the standings will be short.