Final Four/National Champion Predictions
Regional predictions: Midwest | West | East | South | Final Four/Championship
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SEMIFINALS
Florida over Kansas
Can anyone imagine a looser group than Joakim Noah and the Gators in their second Final Four? The Jayhawks can match them talent for talent – Julian Wright for Al Horford, Darrell "Shady" Arthur for Noah, Brandon Rush for Corey Brewer, Sherron Collins for Taurean Green – but the group that has done it before beats the group that lost in first rounds the past two seasons.
North Carolina over Texas A&M
If the Tar Heels get this far, it will be because they have put losses to the Virginia Techs and Georgia Techs far behind them. It will be because Tyler Hansbrough's nose has healed and freshmen Brandan Wright, Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington have matured. And if all that happens, there's no team more talented than North Carolina.
CHAMPIONSHIP
North Carolina over Florida
At their best, the Tar Heels are the most complete team in the nation. Better offensively than the Gators. Better defensively, too. Roy Williams will complete one of the greatest two-year turnarounds in NCAA history – one that began when he had to replace his top six players from the 2005 title team and will end with him winning with a sophomore and three freshmen in his starting lineup.
