Final Four Staff Picks

With March Madness about to kick into full gear and brackets in need of picks, the staff at theScore put on their prognosticator hats and made selections for the Final Four, highlighting the reasons for their choices. The pickers are Michael Amato, Dane Belbeck, Alex Chippin, McKenzie Dalgleish, Mike Dickson, William Lou, Dylan Perego, and Arun Srinivasan.

Amato

The Pac-12 isn't a deep conference by any stretch, but UCLA and Arizona are still two of the best teams in the country. It's going to be hard to slow down the high-scoring Bruins and the Wildcats' draw sets up well for a trip to the Final Four. Expect the Pac-12 to be well represented in the finals.

Belbeck

Louisville's balanced attack takes advantage of a weakened Oregon team in the Sweet 16 before knocking off Kansas in the Elite Eight. North Carolina has been blessed with something almost resembling a bye to the Elite Eight before it will face UCLA. The experience of the Tar Heels see them take down the Bruins and return to the Final Four. Florida State is as talented as any team in the country and will show that in knocking off Arizona in the Sweet 16. The depth of the Seminoles' roster wears down Gonzaga in the Elite Eight and puts them in the Final Four. Duke is rolling into the NCAA tournament and shouldn't face a real challenge until the Sweet 16. The Blue Devils will get to the Elite Eight and take down Villanova in what will likely be the best game of the tournament.

Chippin

Villanova has a favorable path to the Elite Eight, and should be fresh once it gets there. Louisville has been the most consistent team in the Midwest all season, even if it's not the most talented. UCLA's offense is too good, and the ball movement of perennial tourney overachiever Notre Dame is more trustworthy than perennial tourney underachievers Gonzaga and Arizona.

Dalgleish

The Blue Devils may have peaked a little too early, while Villanova has proven itself all season and the defending champions will get out of New York. No team has gone one-and-done in its conference tournament and won the national championship. That does not bode well for Kansas and why Louisville will make the Final Four. Already boasting a win over Arizona from earlier in the season, Gonzaga will not be intimidated against the Wildcats and should meet with a berth to the Final Four on the line. It has been 22 years since UCLA last tasted victory, far too long for a program that has the most national championships in basketball history, but with freshman Lonzo Ball leading the way, the Bruins should make UCLA's first Final Four since 2008.

Dickson

Villanova sailed through the season comfortably and looks to be able to put itself in good position to defend last year's title. Both Louisville and North Carolina are battled tested after a daunting ACC schedule and should be ready for the challenges the tournament presents. Arizona has looked like a totally different team since getting Allonzo Trier in the lineup, and he, combined with freshman sensation Lauri Markkanen should be able to finally get Sean Miller over the hump and into his first Final Four.

Lou

The defending champions are the strongest team in the tournament. Getting by Duke will be a challenge, but the Wildcats' experience should help them pass the test. It's fun to get jokes off about Gonzaga choking, but let's give credit where credit it's due. This team is top 10 in both adjusted offense and defensive efficiency playing in a rather soft side of the bracket. Good luck to the Jayhawks' opponents who have to somehow try and slow down both Frank Mason and Josh Jackson. Don't pick against UCLA and the second coming of Stephen Curry, because LaVar Ball will be in your mentions.

Perego

The old adage "defense wins championships" may ring true, but it's offense that carries teams come tournament time. UCLA, Arizona, and Kansas have proven time and time again that they can be among the most prolific offenses in the nation, while Villanova's returning members will provide the poise necessary to threaten a repeat.

Srinivasan

Duke is surging at the right time, and is poised to make a deep run due to balanced scoring and a lethal backcourt. Nigel Williams-Goss will cement his status in school history, leading Gonzaga to their first Final Four appearance. Detractors will dismiss their NCAA-best 23.4-point margin of victory, but Gonzaga is finally ready to make the leap into truly elite territory. Kansas sports both veteran experience and tantalizing, raw star power in their nominal four-guard lineup, a unit that should continue to confound the field. The hysteria surrounding Lonzo Ball's pro potential has almost overshadowed his excellent season, but the star is slated to enter the record books. UCLA led the NCAA in both points and assists per game, and armed with the school's all-time three point leader, Bryce Alford, sports the firepower to win it all.

Consensus

It will be a Wildcat-heavy Final Four if the consensus staff picks come to fruition with both Villanova and Arizona making it through to be joined by UCLA and Louisville. It wasn't a run away in any region though, as Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, and North Carolina were closely in second place in the East, West, Midwest, and South Regions respectively.

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