2009 NCAA Tournament Predictions: South Region
Written March 18, 2009 by Jordan Haimowitz
Round 1 Breakdown: This Region is the toughest in my opinion. It is loaded with teams that can cause some havoc. For anybody who believes that The Tar Heels are going to sleep walk all the way to Detroit, think again. The Heels will of course take care of business against Radford. While LSU has senior leadership, they are a very inexperienced bunch in terms of NCAA Tournament environment. Butler will bounce back, play well and advance top face The Heels. I think Western Kentucky will play Illinois right to the buzzer, they’ll cover, but not win. Illinois Moves on. The Next match up is one of my personal favorites. A Gonzaga romp of The Zips has been declared apparently, however, I never got that memo. I do think the Zags will win this game but expect Akron to show up and keep it respectable.. Many people are giving the Temple Owls a good chance to Beat Arizona State, I am not one of them. Harden and Pendergraph will put on a clinic for Christmas and Allen. The Sun Devils take this game. Syracuse will continue their great play by beating Stephen F. Austin and no, they won’t need overtime to do it. I am one who thinks the 10 vs 7 match up between Clemson and Michigan will be very non-competitive. Clemson has to much speed and are to quick for The Wolverines. Clemson advances to play The Sooners of Oklahoma what will beat Morgan State. Bet the first round of the tournament with BetUS.
Round 2 Breakdown: The Tar Heels will get all they can handle from the young Butler Bulldogs. Heyward and Horizon Player Of the Year Matt Howard will play their hearts out. It will not be enough as The Heels led by “Psycho T” Tyler Hansbrough move on to the sweet 16. Illinois vs Gonzaga will be a tremendous game. The Fighting Illini are one of the best defensive teams in the land while the Zags have a great combo of both offensive firepower and defensive skills. If Illinois is able to hit key shots and slow the game down, they will be able to pull this out. I think they will and advance to the sweet 16 when most people are predicting them out first round. I have another lower seed moving on with The Arizona State Sun Devils defeating The Syracuse Orange. The Orange losing will have nothing to do with them being tired. It will be because Jeff Pendergraph will get Onuaku into foul trouble. Once that happens, they will have no answer for him. James Harden will cause Paul Harris fits and Jonny Flynn will not be a huge factor. The Sun Devils will move on, so make sure to cash in on that upset special. Clemson, who I am very high ob. Will give Oklahoma a run for their money. However, to much Blake Griffin and Willie Warren in that game. The Sooners advance to the round of 16.
Sweet 16 Breakdown: The Heels face The Fighting Illini in the sweet 16. I think this is the game where UNC plays to their max. Illinois will have already had two gut wrenching games and they’ll fold early in this one. UNC moves on. Next tip will be Arizona State vs Oklahoma. An excellent game. The Sun Devils will be a hassle for Blake Griffin and the Sooners. The Match ups will be even and intense. Once again however, to much Blake and expect Willie Warren to play very well. Bet on the Sweet 16 this season.
Elite Eight Breakdown: UNC vs Oklahoma. Tyler Hansbrough vs Blake Griffin and Ty Lawson vs Willie Warren. This will be the most exciting and most talent heavy of all elite eight match ups, I do not care who is playing who in other regions. This is the game you want to see. UNC’s x-factor will be Wayne Ellington.. The only player Oklahoma will not have a good answer for if he is on. The Sooners x-factor will be non other then the best player in the land Blake Griffin. They go how he goes. If he shows up and dominates from all over the court, they will win. UNC has the best players from top to bottom in the nation. This game is a complete toss up to me.. Their is just something about Blake Griffin that shines excellence. This guy is a phenom and will do whatever it takes to get his team to the promise land. Oklahoma Defeats UNC and advances to the FINAL FOUR.
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- 2009 NCAA Tournament Odds: South Region
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- 2009 NCAA Tournament West Region Predictions
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