Elite Eight Predictions

Sweet 16 record

5-3 Overall

6-2 Against the Spread

Today

South Region

No.5 Houston (32-5) vs. No.2 Villanova (29-7)

AT&T Center, San Antonio

5:09 PM CT

TBS

Houston by 2 1/2

Nova has that championship pedigree with national titles in 2016 and 2018 and they’re a relentless, veteran team. But how do you go against this Cougar squad? Talk about relentless. They personify relentlessness. Give me the Cougars to move on to the Caesar’s Superdome.

Houston 74, Nova 71

(Mr.) West (for Theodopolis purposes)

No.4 Arkansas (28-8) vs. No.2 Duke (31-6)

Chase Center, SF

7:49 PM CT

TBS

Duke by 4

Duke is really going to have to work hard to survive the Hogs. Arkansas is another relentless team. But I like Paolo Bachero, Duke’s 6’10” 250 power forward from Seattle, whom I consider the best player in college basketball and the player who should be selected No.1 in the NBA Draft in June, to lead his team to victory, outlast a rigorous test from Arkansas, and extend Coach K’s magical farewell tour all the way to N’Awlins.

Duke 76, Arkansas 73

Sunday

Midwest

No.10 Miami (26-10) vs. No.1 Kansas (31-6)

United Center, Chicago

1:20 PM CT

CBS

Kansas by 6

Duh U is another relentless team, and I like that quality to be the reason they move on to the Final Four next Saturday.

Canes 68, Jayhawks 66

East

No.6 UNC (27-9) vs. No.15 Saint Peter’s (22-11)

Wells Fargo Center, Philly

4:05 PM CT

CBS

UNC by 8 1/2

Carolina has such an advantage in talent here that this appears to be a blowout on paper. But these Peacocks are like Douglas C. Nedermayer Marines. They’re hard-nosed, lock down on defense, superbly clutch and undeniably courageous. Friday was National Peacock Day. This phenomenal outfit makes it National Peacock Weekend.

Peacocks 64, North Carolina 60

7 Responses

  1. Like your picks, DW! Pulling for Duke to go all the way. Peacocks are a great Cinderella story. WP’s reference to Bud and Betsy Peacock yesterday was classic!

  2. Love the picks. Seems like it’s Coach Ks year. Paolo’s game is really strong. I think they have just peaked right

  3. The top seeds may be out of the tourney but, plenty of blue blood basketball schools are still in the running. Looks like you have picked nothing but winners to me.

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