Final Four Predictions 2013: Projecting Winner of Each Region in NCAA Tournament

The process of predicting the outcome of a region in the NCAA tournament is an inexact science.

There are plenty of variables that go into this formula and thousands of possible outcomes, but the most important thing is that you get the region’s Final Four representative correct.

Correctly penciling those teams in will earn you the most amount points in your bracket pool and could put you well on your way to earning a big pay day after March Madness concludes.

Let’s take a look at the projected winners in each region.

 

No. 2 Duke, Midwest

After falling well short of their goal to win a national title in 2012, the Blue Devils are back with a vengeance. Unfortunately, they were placed in the toughest region of the tournament and have an arduous road ahead.

To start the Big Dance off, Duke must face the Albany Great Danes—a team that will not be underestimated after this proud program fell to another No. 15 seed last year in Lehigh.

After, there’s going to be a showdown with either Cincinnati or Creighton in the round of 32. Should the Blue Devils survive, they are off to face either Saint Mary’s, Memphis, Michigan State or Valparaiso in the Sweet 16. Each one of those opponents presents a unique challenge.

If Duke finds itself in the Eight Eight, expect we have a good feeling it will be preparing to face Rick Pitino’s Louisville Cardinals—the No. 1 overall seed in the entire tournament.

That could be a battle for the ages, but we think the Blue Devils have the personnel to get a win. Seniors Mason Plumlee, Ryan Kelly and Seth Curry lead an experienced roster that is hungry to avenge its shortcomings last year and win a title.

 

No. 1 Gonzaga, West

The ‘Zags capped off a great 2012-13 campaign with a West Coast Conference title and tournament championship, the No. 1 ranking in every major poll and a No. 1 seed in the Big Dance.

To say the least, it’s been quite a year for the Bulldogs. Because of this, they are our pick to actually win the entire tournament—even if most will not agree due to their “mid-major” labeling.

However, if you take the time to watch this team, you’ll see an incredibly balanced unit with the best frontcourt in the nation. Junior center Kelly Olynyk is the superstar, as the seven-footer averages a solid 17.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 blocks per contest.

Guards Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell Jr. are capable of lighting it up from outside and the bench play is solid. There are no glaring holes on the roster, making them one of the more dangerous contenders for the title.

The biggest threats in the West region include Ohio State, but the two wouldn’t match up until the Elite Eight.  The winner of Wisconsin vs. Ole Miss could also be a tough out in the Sweet 16, but we believe the ‘Zags are built to run the table.

 

No. 3 Florida, South

The Gators late-season sputter saw them tailspin from a possible No. 1 seed down to the No. 3 on Selection Sunday, but that may wind up being a boon in the end.

Florida will get things going against the Northwestern State Demons, a Southland Conference squad that has little to no real chance of pulling the miraculous upset.

Coach Billy Donovan’s road gets much tougher immediately after, as the round of 32 meeting will be with the victor of UCLA vs. Minnesota.

Both foes are highly dangerous and were ranked all over the Top 25 polls at varying times during the 2012-13 campaign. However, Florida’s powerful combination of athleticism and size should be enough to advance to the Sweet 16.

Once there, we believe the Gators will be squaring off against Georgetown, the region’s No. 2 seed and Big East champions. While Otto Porter is a unique talent, UF has an elite perimeter defender in Scottie Wilbekin and Patric Young provides a fearsome interior presence as a rim protector.

The Gators would not be out of the woods upon beating the Hoyas, as No. 1 seeded Kansas will likely be waiting in the Elite Eight. Because the Jayhawks struggled against good teams in 2012-13 and most of their signature wins came against mediocre Big 12 rivals Kansas State and Oklahoma State. Star player Ben McLemore is a great player and worthy NBA draft prospect, but has been wildly inconsistent at times.

Because of this, the over-seeded and overrated Jayhawks will fall to the Gators—an underrated program that will dance all the way back to the Final Four in 2013.

 

No. 1 Indiana, East

When Cody Zeller decided to stay for his sophomore season, many projected the Hoosiers to dominate in 2012-13 and win a national championship at the end of the season.

So far, Indiana has held up the first part of that bargain and will be looking to cap off their stellar campaign with the school’s first title since 1987—back when Bob Knight was running the show.

Coach Tom Crean will try to guide this program back to prominence and will utilize Zeller, breakout superstar Victor Oladipo and a host of stellar role players to make a run this spring.

Fortunately, the selection committee saw it fit for IU to be awarded the top seed in the East region and put it on a path to guaranteed success. That’s not to say that the Hoosiers opponents make for a cakewalk, but there are more dangerous roads to the Final Four in this bracket.

No. 16 seed Western Kentucky will be nothing more than a speed bump, while the winner of North Carolina State vs. Temple will provide somewhat of a challenge, but each is fatally flawed.

We don’t see Indiana truly being challenged until the Elite Eight, where a highly athletic bunch from upstart Miami University (FL) should be ready to face the Hoosiers.

However, IU’s roster of experienced players that are hungry to bring a title back to Bloomington will prevail in the end—sending this squad to the Final Four in 2013.

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