March Madness: Elite Eight

To all the readers out there (I believe your name is Chris from Duke) who were upset by my failure to predict the Elite Eight games, I apologize.

If it makes you feel any better, you didn't miss anything, as I would have gone 1-3 for the weekend. I had UNC over Oklahoma but also believed Louisville would top Michigan State, Pitt would top Villanova, and, in an upset, Mizzou would top UConn. If you're keeping tabs at home that puts me at 46-14 for the tourney (when you factor in my 4-0 record for the second day of the Sweet 16).

Despite my poor showing, I really wasn't that surprised by the outcomes. However, Louisville really disappointed against the Spartans. Coming in as the number one overall number one seed, the Cards lucked into the easiest road to the Elite Eight. After playing a near-perfect game against Arizona in the Sweet 16, the Cards ran into a focused Michigan State squad that outplayed and outworked the favorites. Unfortunately for Cards' fans, this was without a doubt Louisville's best chance to win a championship during the Rick Pitino era. While a return to the Sweet 16 is a definite possibility for UofL next season, it does not appear that they will be quite so formidable.

That being said, I'll be back next week with Final Four picks.