Final Four Predictions 2015: Picks, Odds and Analysis on Locks for Semifinals
While debating the opening rounds of the NCAA tournament is fun, it doesn't matter as much as the Final Four.
The NCAA tournament has 67 games from start to finish, but the final three on the third weekend are the most pressure-filled of them all. Additionally, fans picking out a bracket will want to select the four national semifinalists correctly if they want to win.
Although this postseason is likely to feature plenty of upsets across the board, don't be surprised if there is a lot of chalk towards the end of the tournament with higher seeds sticking around into the Final Four. All four No. 1 seeds have a good chance of winning their regions, but here is a look at picks to actually get it done.
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Midwest: No. 1 Kentucky
There are certainly teams that could cause Kentucky problems in this region.
A potential matchup against Purdue would feature one of the few teams with the size inside to handle the Wildcats' frontcourt. West Virginia is a team that can cause plenty of turnovers and get easy points on the other end that way. Maryland has two elite guards who can score tough baskets against a tough defense.
On the other side of the bracket, Notre Dame can spread a team out and score against anyone, while Kansas has almost as much talent and has improved a lot from its early-season defeat.
Despite all of these possibilities, ESPN Stats & Info explains the chances Kentucky runs the table:
While you can't always trust the computers, in this case, the projection makes a compelling case. The Wildcats have simply too much talent and play too good of defense to lose a game against an inferior opponent, and they should make it out of the Midwest with little trouble.
| Kentucky | 1/4 |
| Kansas | 10/1 |
| Notre Dame | 10/1 |
| Wichita State | 10/1 |
| Maryland | 20/1 |
| Texas | 20/1 |
| Butler | 30/1 |
| West Virginia | 30/1 |
| Cincinnati | 60/1 |
| Purdue | 60/1 |
| Indiana | 100/1 |
West: No. 2 Arizona
This is a region where the top two teams seem to tower over the rest of the field. Wisconsin and Arizona both have had excellent seasons and have the talent and experience necessary to get to the Elite Eight and set up a matchup everyone would want to see.
ESPN's Myron Medcalf is at least rooting for this to happen after the two sides played in the Elite Eight last season:
At this point, it once again comes down to defense. Wisconsin is a matchup nightmare for most teams thanks to one of the best frontcourts in the nation and a lineup of five players on the court who can shoot the three at all times.
However, Arizona has the personnel to slow this group down. Kaleb Tarczewski has the size at 7'0" to limit Frank Kaminsky in the post, while players like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and T.J. McConnell can guard anyone on the perimeter.
Considering last year's matchup was decided by one point in overtime, the Wildcats have the ability and the drive to pull out the win this time around.
| Arizona | 6/5 |
| Wisconsin | 6/5 |
| Baylor | 10/1 |
| North Carolina | 10/1 |
| Ohio State | 20/1 |
| Arkansas | 25/1 |
| Xavier | 40/1 |
| VCU | 50/1 |
| BYU | 60/1 |
| Oklahoma State | 60/1 |
| Oregon | 60/1 |
| Ole Miss | 75/1 |
East: No. 1 Villanova
Villanova might be an underrated No. 1 seed, but you shouldn't overlook what this group can do. There might not be household names on the roster, but there is a lineup full of players who can contribute on both ends of the court.
Head coach Jay Wright summed up his team's attitude by describing one player on the Mike & Mike radio show (via Randy Miller of NJ.com):
"A guy like Ryan Arcidiacono wins co-player in the Big East, and in the tournament I think he had three points in one game, five in another and six in the next, but yet has one turnover in three games and sparks us defensively and rebounds from the point guard position. Just that kind of mindset, that unselfish mindset that 'I'm the player of the year but I'm not going to try to go out and show everybody. I'm going to do what the team needs.
"
Like Kentucky, a bunch of talented players have accepted smaller roles for the betterment of the team. Still, they have players like Darrun Hilliard, Arcidiacono, Josh Hart and others who are capable of taking over when needed.
Adding this quality backcourt play to JayVaughn Pinkston and Daniel Ochefu in the post, and the Wildcats have all the tools for success.
No. 2 seed Virginia could present a problem with its great defense, but inconsistent offense over the past few weeks provides cause for concern. A Final Four berth is possible but so is a quick exit for the Cavaliers.
| Villanova | 7/5 |
| Virginia | 7/4 |
| Oklahoma | 6/1 |
| Northern Iowa | 8/1 |
| Louisville | 10/1 |
| Michigan State | 12/1 |
| Providence | 40/1 |
| LSU | 60/1 |
| NC State | 60/1 |
| Georgia | 75/1 |
| Dayton | 100/1 |
South: No. 3 Iowa State
This might be the toughest region at the top with Duke, Gonzaga and Iowa State all capable of going to the Final Four. Each has reasonable arguments for why it will escape this difficult bracket.
Duke has arguably the best low-post scorer in the nation in Jahlil Okafor to go with a backcourt tandem of Tyus Jones and Quinn Cook that always seems to make big plays at big moments. Gonzaga comes through with a deep rotation of players all over the court as well as experienced contributors like Kevin Pangos and Kyle Wiltjer.
However, this region will go to the team that has been battle-tested in recent weeks. The Big 12 has been the best conference in college basketball this season, and Iowa State finished second in the regular-season standings before winning the tournament title.
The Cyclones spread the floor with their high-powered offense, which is the strategy Notre Dame used to beat Duke twice this season. The frontcourt is also much more reliable than that of the Irish with Georges Niang and Jameel McKay giving the team size down low.
After Iowa State earned come-from-behind wins throughout the Big 12 tournament, it's clear this team just refuses to lose and should make a deep run in this event.
| Duke | 13/10 |
| Gonzaga | 12/5 |
| Iowa State | 9/2 |
| Utah | 6/1 |
| Georgetown | 12/1 |
| SMU | 15/1 |
| Iowa | 30/1 |
| San Diego State | 30/1 |
| Davidson | 60/1 |
| St. Johns | 75/1 |
| Stephen F Austin | 75/1 |
| UCLA | 75/1 |
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