How Sweet It Is!: Re-Picking the Final Four

Contributor Written on March 22, 2009

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DAYTON, OH - MARCH 22: Alex Franklin #42 of the Siena Saints and Samardo Samuels #24 of the Louisville Cardinals go up for the opening tip-off during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the University of Dayton Arena on

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

With the first two rounds completed, it's time to take a look at the remaining field and the favorites to win the title.

Unfortunately this year, there are no true Cinderellas from mid-majors conferences so picking the champion in a tight field will be tough. I'll break it down in the best way I can to figure out who has what it takes to make it through the next two weeks.

1. UConn

PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 21: David Loubeau #10 of the Texas A&M Aggies shoots against Hasheem Thabeet #34 and Jeff Adrien #4 of the Connecticut Huskies during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Wachovia Center on March

No team has looked as nearly as impressive as the Huskies. After dismantling Chattanooga and Texas A & M by a combined 82 points, they appear to be on cruise control to Detroit.

Not getting through the West Region would come as a surprise to most people at this point, despite Memphis being a popular Final Four pick.

2. North Carolina

CHAPEL HILL, NC - JANUARY 21: Tyler Hansbrough #50 celebrates with Deon Thompson #21 of the North Carolina Tar Heels after Hansbrough's basket against the Clemson Tigers during the game on January 21, 2009 at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, Nort

After expectingly knocking out Radford and LSU, there haven't been many surprises from the Tar Heels. With Gonzaga, Syracuse, and Oklahoma still left in the South Region, it's looking like North Carolina should reach the Final Four, but Oklahoma or Syracuse could be a very tough Elite Eight opponent.

3. Kansas

MINNEAPOLIS - MARCH 22: Sherron Collins #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts on court in the final minutes of Kansas' 60-43 win against the Dayton Flyers during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Hubert H. Humphrey Met

The Jayhawks had their struggles against North Dakota State, but then rallied nicely against Dayton and ended up winning comfortably. With the rest of the Midwest looking like no one else wants to win it, Kansas may sneak in and take the Regional Title.

4. Villanova

PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 21: Dante Cunningham #33 of the Villanova Wildcats shoots against the UCLA Bruins during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Wachovia Center on March 21, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Ph

Villanova seemed like they would be bounced early by American, but played tremendously in the second half to win by double digits, then storming through UCLA without an issue.

They have to take on Duke next, then either Pitt or Xavier if they win, but the Wildcats have the talent to beat any of the three teams and take the East Region.

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written on March 22, 2009 Opinion

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How Sweet It Is!: Re-Picking the Final Four

Korey Beckett

1. UConn

2. North Carolina

3. Kansas

4. Villanova

That's the end of this slideshow, here are a few more you might like...

Indiana Hoosiers All-Decade Team: Assembly Hall Superstars 2000-2009

Maryland's Mighty: Testudo's Top Five Terps in Recent History