Final Four preview and BEST BETS

After attending the First Four in Dayton and the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 in Washington, DC, I can say I’ve truly taken in this tournament, and I am VERY excited for this Final Four. Here’s my lightning-fast preview.

A lot of people are disrespecting this one and calling Michigan and Arizona “the real championship game,” but this one should be awesome. You have Dan Hurley and the Huskies coming off one of the most improbable wins in March Madness history, playing Illinois, who have, for the most part, been rolling through this tournament.

At first, it’s genuinely surprising to see Illinois and Brad Underwood be favored in a Final Four game against Dan Hurley, who is 17–1 in his last 18 games in this tournament. But if you have eyeballs and have been watching the games, you can see Illinois looks like the better and more well-rounded team, especially in March. If they can even somewhat contain Tarris Reed Jr.—which is easier said than done—they will win this game. Give me Illinois money line in this one.

Arizona is my pick to win the natty, but with that being said, I am nervous. I think the version of Michigan that we got in the second half of the Alabama game in the Sweet 16, and the version that we got in the first half of the Elite 8 against Tennessee, is pretty much impossible to beat—even for a team as good as Arizona.

Arizona faced some adversity in the Elite 8 against a very experienced Purdue team and were down 7 at half after a miserable shooting performance. What I saw in the second half from Arizona is why I ultimately believe they will not only win this game, but will win the natty as well. A well-rounded offense, getting 66 points from their four best players on efficient shooting, and never switching up the game plan despite being down 7 at half—give me Arizona in this one by the slimmest of margins, setting up an Illinois–Arizona national championship game.