Elite 8 Picks

Coach K getting HEATED in the post-game press conference. Excellent. Here are my Elite 8 picks, guaranteed to be better than my Sweet 16 picks.

Midwest Region

5 Michigan St. vs 6 Tennessee
I should have known better than to doubt Michigan St in March. They were able to beat everyone's sweetheart, Northern Iowa, without their best player, Kalen Lucas. Tennessee was able to get past Ohio State because Evan Turner was the only player that showed up for the Buckeyes. This should be a good, close game. Once again, I'll go against my better judgment and pick against Michigan St. I think Tennessee' athleticism will wear Michigan St. out in the end. Everyone who had Tennessee in the Final Four over Kansas, Ohio State, and Georgetown, raise your hand.
Tennessee 74 Michigan State 68

West Region

5 Butler vs 2 Kansas State
I should have also known better than to pick against anything with the name Butler. Butler looked very impressive in their win over Syracuse. This is not a typical "mid-major" team. They have plenty of depth and can hurt you several ways. Kansas State played in a hell of a game against Xavier, giving us all the Gus Johnson game we desired. Their guards, Pullen and Clemente, have been simply incredible. I do worry that Thursday's double OT game may have worn them out a bit though. This is a tough game to pick, but Butler's convincing performance against Syracuse has me sold on them.
Butler 68 Kansas State 65

East Region

1 Kentucky vs 2 West Virginia
Many people the best two remaining teams in the tourney are playing right here. It's hard to disagree with that. Kentucky's talent is undeniable. The only team that can beat Kentucky, is Kentucky. They go through periods where they just don't seem to care, kinda like every NBA team. If they do that against West Virginia, they're not gonna win the game. I picked West Virginia to win this game at the beginning of the tourney, so I guess I have to be a man and stick with that pick. It's getting harder and harder to pick against Kentucky however.
West Virginia 72 Kentucky 70

South Region

1 Duke vs 3 Baylor
After Villanova looked terrible in their first round game against Robert Morris, I said the only team in the South that could beat Duke is Baylor. Unfortunately, Duke will have to get past the Bears to reach the Final Four. It was a great sign to see Jon Scheyer play good basketball in the second half of the Purdue game. They will need him at his best to win this game. Baylor is exactly the type of athletic team that Duke has problems with. LaceDarius Dunn (what a name) and Tweety Carter have been a superb guard combo for Baylor, and Duke will have to play the same great perimeter defense they've been playing all season to stop them. This will be a battle, but in the end, the big game experience and Duke's big three will carry the Blue Devils to the Final Four.
Duke 75 Baylor 70