Fearless Predictions: Saturday's games
East Regional Final
No. 3 Louisville Cardinals — Big East (27-8, 14-4 in the Big East)
This is madness
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The Final Four
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National Championship
- Kansas shocks Memphis in OT National Semifinals
- Memphis takes down UCLA
- Kansas never trails vs. UNC
Bracket Central!
FOXSports.com analysis
- Kriegel: Chalmers comes through
- Goodman: Foul ending for Memphis
- Burlison: Saving the best for last
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Why North Carolina can win: Carolina has proved, when totally focused, that it can blow teams out with a high-octane offense, and it proved it can blow teams out when things slow down. The win over Washington State was even more impressive than the 108-77 win over Arkansas because it showed how the team can pick things up when Tyler Hansbrough isn't necessarily on, and it showed that the guards really can handle the half-court defensive pressure that Louisville will try to provide. The Cardinals were solid on the line against Tennessee, but for the most part free throws have been an issue.
Why Louisville can win: The Cardinals have the inside presence to keep UNC from dominating on the boards like it needs to. Rick Pitino's club has been even more dominant than the Tar Heels with shockingly easy blowouts over Oklahoma and Tennessee, with the 30-point win over the big Sooners showing just how well it can handle size. This is a veteran team with too much offensive balance for the mediocre Tar Heel defense to shut down.
What will happen: North Carolina has made a big deal about getting over the Regional Final hump after hitting a wall last year, but as well as it's playing, Louisville is playing even better. The Cardinals have the inside out offense to score from anywhere and a defense that held Tennessee to just 34 percent from the field, while outrebounding the Vols 42-24. They'll do the same to frustrate a Tar Heel team that'll be in for its first real challenge.
Prediction: Louisville 82 ... North Carolina 77
Line: North Carolina -5
West Regional Final
No. 1 UCLA Bruins — Pac 10 (34-3, 16-2 in the Pac 10)
No. 3 Xavier Musketeers — Atlantic 10 (28-5, 14-2 in the Atlantic 10)
Why UCLA can win: Can Xavier handle itself on the boards against Kevin Love and the rugged Bruin big men? The Musketeers outrebounded West Virginia 39-34, and has been active, as always, on the glass, but playing UCLA is something different. There will be several second-chance points, and just enough defensive pressure to keep the Xavier 3-point shooters from ever getting comfortable. UCLA might be having a few problems, but it finds ways to win close game after close game. The team is as tough mentally as it is physically.
Why Xavier can win: UCLA just looks like a team begging to get tagged. Yeah, it took its foot off the gas in what appeared to be a blowout over Western Kentucky and had to fight to get out alive. If Texas A&M had been just a little bit better inside, it would've beaten the Bruins. Xavier has been through a lot, having rallied to beat Georgia, cranked up the O to beat Purdue, and got tough late to get past West Virginia. With the way the Musketeers can shoot inside and out, the Bruin offense will have to crank it up more than usual. The tough Bruin defense alone won't get it done.
What will happen: Xavier already faced a good defensive team in Purdue and won 85-78. The Bruins haven't really played a great team yet in the tournament and would've been bounced out of the last two rounds they played someone like the Musketeers. There's too much offensive balance and too much shooting for UCLA; this is when the team finally gets exposed.
Prediction: Xavier 75 ... UCLA 69
Line: UCLA -8.5
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