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Tennessee's Barnes: 'I think Gonzaga's going to win it'

Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Practically anyone across the country interested in the Final Four is doing research this week to see which remaining team has the edge, but they can make their job easier by just listening to Tennessee coach Rick Barnes.

The Volunteers are in the rare position of having played all four of the remaining teams, including two matchups with South Carolina.

So who does Barnes think will win the title? It's not the same team he feels is the best in the country.

"My gut feeling is (North) Carolina is the best team," Barnes told Steve Megargee of The Associated Press, "but my gut feeling now tells me I think Gonzaga's going to win it."

The Volunteers fell in all five meetings with the teams in the Final Four this season, with the worst loss coming at South Carolina on Feb. 25.

Date Opponent Score
Nov. 22 Oregon 69-65 OT Loss
Dec. 11 North Carolina 73-71 Loss
Dec. 18 Gonzaga 86-76 Loss
Jan. 11 South Carolina 70-60 Loss
Feb. 25 South Carolina 82-55 Loss

The Las Vegas oddsmakers installed the Bulldogs as the favorite right after the completion of the Elite Eight on Sunday, but just 12 hours later the lines had shifted enough to move North Carolina to the top. That doesn't surprise Barnes, who thinks those two programs are dead even.

"I bet you this right now. If North Carolina and Gonzaga make it to the championship game, I'll bet you the bookies will say it's a pick'em game," Barnes said. "If there's a point (spread), it's going to be a half a point. They're that close. I believe they are the two best teams we've played."

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