Both reporters pick Kansas to cut down nets

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Spring is in the air and we’re thrilled about March Madness (except for our overnight flight to Spokane, Wash., with three connections this weekend. But, really, who’s complaining?).

While the Spartans will be focusing their attention on New Mexico State and changing their clocks to Pacific time, there’s plenty of basketball to go around.

Who is this year’s Cinderella? Who is this year’s champ? Who’s going to have their pretty mug serenaded by Jennifer Hudson on “One Shining Moment” in April?

Send it in, Jerome!

Midwest Region

Joey’s winner Kansas — Ohio State has the guns to give the Jayhawks a run for their money, but I don’t think the Buckeyes can play a full 40 minutes against the talented Jayhawks. No. 1 to start the season, No. 1 at the end of the regular season and No. 1 cutting down the nets in Indianapolis. A trip to the heart of Big Ten country didn’t end well for Kansas last year in the Sweet 16, but I have a feeling they’ll enjoy Lucas Oil Stadium a bit more the second time around.

Chris’ winner Kansas — As much as I want to believe in the March magic of MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo, Kansas simply is too good. The Jayhawks have the senior leadership from guard Sherron Collins, the size inside with center Cole Aldrich and a plentiful supporting cast to will them to the Final Four and national championship. If the Jayhawks meet MSU in the Sweet 16, don’t think the pair of losses to the Spartans one year ago won’t be motivation.

Joey’s sleeper No. 7 Oklahoma State — The Cowboys laid a whooping on Kansas during Big 12 play, feature one of the most athletic lineups in the power conferences and also have one of the top scorers in the country. With an unpredictable Georgia Tech team standing in its way in the first round and a shorthanded Ohio State team in the second, Oklahoma State could make some noise.

Chris’ sleeper No. 10 Georgia Tech — The Yellow Jackets made a run in the ACC Tournament and will be able to get past slumping No. 7 Oklahoma State. In the second round, Georgia Tech might be able to use its depth (nine players play at least 15 minutes) to wear down the Buckeyes (four players play more than 33 minutes) on the back end of the weekend.

Joey’s upset special No. 3 Georgetown over No. 2 Ohio State — It might not seem like much of an upset, but the Buckeyes were awfully close to being a No. 1 seed in the tournament. They’ve got the top player in the country in Evan Turner, but Georgetown’s Greg Monroe will expose Ohio State’s weak interior. If he helps the Hoyas get the Buckeyes into foul trouble, the co-Big Ten champs could be sent home before the regional championship.

Chris’ upset special No. 11 San Diego State over No. 6 Tennessee — The Aztecs finally were able to gain some sleep lost due to the bubble by winning the Mountain West Conference Tournament. They are hot coming into the tournament and will face a Tennessee team that tends to underachieve in March.

West Region

Joey’s winner Syracuse — Although Kansas State is talented and has had a great year, the experience Syracuse and head coach Jim Boeheim bring to the table is invaluable in March. The Orange’s unique defense will give teams fits, and its length and athleticism makes them one of the most offensively potent teams in the country.

Chris’ winner Syracuse — Despite losing their final two games and star center Arinze Onuaku to a quad injury, the Orange still boast a talented and deep lineup. Onuaku is expected to miss this weekend, but if Syracuse can get by No. 8-seed Gonzaga in the second round, it will be able to easily win this bracket.

Joey’s sleeper No. 11 Minnesota — Big Ten fans (and MSU loyalists, especially) are familiar with the talent and depth the Golden Gophers offer. A top-25 team this season, Tubby Smith’s squad fizzled during Big Ten play, but when they’re clicking on all cylinders, they have the inside-outside game to play with anybody in the country.

Chris’ sleeper No. 7 BYU — The Cougars should be able to handle No. 10-seed Florida, and I believe they will be able to get past Kansas State, which would land them in Salt Lake City — a virtual home game that could be enough to put BYU over the top.

Joey’s upset special: No. 14 Oakland over No. 3 Pittsburgh — The Spartans aren’t the only squad representing the Mitten State in the Big Dance this spring and the Grizzlies certainly have earned it. Featuring three players from the Lansing area, Oakland has been battle-tested against Kansas, MSU, Syracuse, Memphis, Wisconsin and has won 11 straight. Overachieving Pitt won’t scare the Grizzlies.

Chris’ upset special No. 11 Minnesota over No. 6 Xavier — The Golden Gophers are a well-rounded team and will be playing close to home in Milwaukee.

East Region

Joey’s winner West Virginia — There’s nothing like having an upperclassman who wants the ball as the clock is winding down in March, and that’s exactly what head coach Bob Huggins and the Mountaineers have in Da’Sean Butler. The most hated man for fans of many teams, Butler has come through in the clutch for the Mountaineers time and time again. Ask players like Scottie Reynolds and Mario Chalmers what that means come Final Four time.

Chris’ winner Kentucky — The Wildcats have met (almost) every challenge they’ve faced this season. Despite poor 3-point shooting, the youth and exuberance of Kentucky could propel the Wildcats to get on an early run and not look back. The Wildcats are one of the nation’s best teams inside and John Wall is a skilled point guard who can take over any game.

Joey’s sleeper No. 6 Marquette — The Golden Eagles played some of the closest games in the Big East slate and are always pesky in March. Possibly coming up against a heralded New Mexico team could be a shot for Marquette players to prove they belong in the Big Dance.

Chris’ sleeper No. 3 New Mexico — Being a No. 3-seed isn’t normally considered a sleeper, but the Lobos are unknown to most of the country. If they make it to the Sweet 16, they’ll meet a West Virginia team I’m still not buying.

Joey’s upset special No. 8 Texas over No. 1 Kentucky — Wildcats head coach John Calipari has gone on the record saying he’d take talent over experience in March. Maybe that’s why he has so many one-and-done players and no rings. If Texas gets in sync, the former No. 1 Longhorns have the talent and athleticism to seriously scare the youthful Wildcats.

Chris’ upset special No. 11 Washington over No. 6 Marquette — Despite coming out of a weak Pac-10, the Huskies are playing with a lot of confidence and will be close to home, just moving down to coast to San Jose, Calif.

South Region

Joey’s winner Duke — I don’t like to do it, but it’s true: The Blue Devils don’t have to play anybody. Duke got the best draw of all the No. 1-seeds, including Kansas. Villanova (on the fritz), Baylor (a March Madness novice), Purdue (self-destructing without Robbie Hummel) and Texas A&M (another Big Dance novice) are their toughest competition. How does that work?

Chris’ winner Baylor — The Bears will be playing fairly close to home in the first two rounds (New Orleans) and will play the regional semis and final in their home state of Texas. Forward Ekpe Udoh has become one of the most dominant players in college basketball and is a triple-double waiting to happen. The Bears will ride Udoh, along with guard LaceDarius Dunn and Tweety Carter, past inconsistent Villanova and overrated Duke on their way to Indianapolis.

Joey’s sleeper No. 3 Baylor — The Big 12 might have been a little down this season, but there’s no diminishing 25 wins and a third-place finish in the conference. The Bears are long, fast and athletic and have quality wins in and out of the Big 12. The winner of Baylor-Villanova could give Duke some real trouble up and down the floor.

Chris’ sleeper No. 13 Siena — The Saints have won one game in each of the past two NCAA Tournaments and will meet one of the weakest No. 4 seeds ever in Purdue. The Boilermakers have been atrocious since forward Robbie Hummel went down. After Purdue, Siena would meet No. 5 Texas A&M or No. 12 Utah State, both teams I think the Saints can defeat.

Joey’s upset special No. 13 Siena over No. 4 Purdue — Is this even an upset? If so, it’s a trendy one. The Boilermakers looked awful and totally out of sync on both ends of the floor against Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. Watching them without Hummel reminds me of Indiana two years ago once everything hit the fan with Kelvin Sampson. No air left in the balloon.

Chris’ upset special No. 11 Old Dominion over No. 6 Notre Dame — The Irish were seeded too high at No. 6 and the Monarchs defeated the only Big East team they met this season, upsetting then-No. 11 Georgetown on Dec. 19, 2009.

Joey’s Final Four

Kansas over Syracuse — The Jayhawks’ stingy defense, inside-outside game (especially if Onuaku isn’t 100 percent for ’Cuse) and veteran leadership is the difference in this one. Kansas moves on.

West Virginia over Duke — Two contrasting styles of play (fast, athletic West Virginia vs. big, half-court oriented Duke) gives the advantage to the Mountaineers. West Virginia advances to the championship.

Championship game: Kansas over West Virginia — West Virginia is good, but Kansas’ real test will come before the championship game. The Jayhawks have too many weapons and the No. 1 ranking they earned early on will stick in April. Rock Chalk Jayhawk.

Chris’ Final Four

Kansas over Syracuse — The Jayhawks will rely on experience and senior leadership to break through Syracuse’s tough zone defense.

Kentucky over Baylor — The dream run for the Baylor Bears will come to a screeching halt. DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson will shut down Udoh inside and the Wildcats’ remarkable turnaround season will see one more chapter.

Championship game Kansas over Kentucky — This clash of college basketball titans will pair two of the most complete teams in the country. The Jayhawks have been on a mission since losing to the Spartans last season and they will be able to hold off the ferocious Wildcats to win their second national championship in three seasons.

Joey Nowak and Chris Vannini are the State News men’s basketball reporters. Joey can be reached at nowakjo2@msu.edu, while Chris can be reached at vanninic@msu.edu.

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