FInal Four: Preview and Prediction

As you are well aware, this year marks the first time that all four #1 seeds negotiated their way to the Final Four.

Here is the NOIS take on coming proceedings, and a prognostication that will certainly prove to be a righteous forecast.

UCLA: The grinding defense and potentially explosive offense is all predicated on the play of Darren Collison. Collison has set the tempo for the Bruins and his game management has allowed Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Josh Shipp to excel. The Bruins offer a rare combination of physical defense and explosive athleticism.

Memphis: The match up of point guard Derrick Rose and UCLA's Collision should prove to be one of the best of this year's tourney. The difference in this game should be the presence of Joey Dorsey in the front court. UCLA's Mbah a Moute and Lorence Mata are solid players, but the Bruins probably don't have an answer for Dorsey.

Outcome: Memphis, not a blowout, but comfortable.

Kansas: The Jaywalks eked out a close one against the Cinderella Stephen Curry's. The 'Hawks have also had some issues against teams with a strong inside game. That could pose a problem against the Tar Heels.

UNC: The 'Heels have the athletic depth to match any team in the country and should be able to match up with KU's strong perimeter game. The difference should be underneath. Marcus Ginyard, Deon Thompson, Danny Green and Wayne Ellington have been a collective force on the glass. And freshman Alex Stephenson has had some key 'bounds as well.

Prediction: UNC, in a pretty close game.

The Final Four: Women, you say?

The 2007 Women's Final Four MOP.
















ESPN. Sunday Night. The Final Four!

Could have sworn that Saturday night's Final Four games were in Atlanta. But, on Sunday night, we turned on ESPN, and to our surprise, The Final Four live from Cleveland.

The play seemed slow, and for some reason, below the rim. The players were tremendous from the free throw line, but didn't seem to react well when the ball was actually in play and there were defenders. We also noticed that the announcers seemed to get very, very excited when the players made lay-ups off breaks. It was as though they were desperately trying to convince us that this was an extra exciting Final Four game.

We don't convince easy.

We could have sworn that UNC was knocked out in the Elite Eight, but here they were again tonight. And Roy Williams looked more stoic and butch than usual. More hard core. More masculine. Roy looked armed for battle. The guys on the team seemed pumped, too. Plenty of chest bumping and trash talking. Nothing like the Final Four to bring out the warrior spirit.

Sister Latreece Al-Khahroum Williams, who often stops by to cook for us while we work the necessary hours to contribute to this blog, noticed some interesting things as well.

"Look at those thugged out players. With their extra baggy shorts and headbands. It's a shame. I remember when college athletes had respect for themselves and their schools. Now, they just want to be thugs. All tattooed-up and talking jive. Those boys are just a doggone disgrace," complained Sister Latreece.

"And when in tarnation did this hip-hop hoopity-doo these boys are all into start including wearing those God awful clip on pony-tails and bad weave? These boys done fell and bumped they heads!"

Couldn't agree more, Sister!