With conference tournaments quickly approaching, it’s about time we take a shot at making some predictions. Today’s topic the final four, and which teams do we believe will be there. Using all relevant information (RPI, SOS, Record against top 50), and of course who we simply like and don’t like, here are our Final Four teams….

1.) Kansas

No surprise here. The Jayhawks are one of the best teams in the country and have the depth and talent to win it all. They have one loss all year to Tennessee in Knoxville. They boast the number one RPI and have tremendous size and speed. From Sherron Collins, the Morris twins, and big Cole Aldrich, Kansas is going to be the favorite to win. I like the fact they boast the nations 4th rated offense, but play some defense too.

2.) Kentucky

I hope I put the jinx on this team after all you readers spazzed out from the Kentucky article. Feelings aside this team is super-talented and should really cruise to the Final Four. They have one loss at South Carolina, where they were caught off-guard by a really amped up Gamecocks team. The only thing that would scare me would be Calipari’s Memphis teams flaking out early minus one year. This Kentucky team has the same “type” of player and mentally this team could lay and egg. My feeling is the talent may be able to compensate for that. They have size, speed, athleticism, and have won on the road. Write ‘em down in your Final Four and be happy that you won’t have to next year after a mass exodus.

3.) Syracuse

The first two teams I am very confident in…. The next two need to get on heaters. I picked ‘Cuse today with the assumption they’ll get hot in the Big East Tourney and that will carry over into the tournament. Understand that this team could also be a huge upset bid as well. What irks me about this team is their RPI is 2, but the teams they beat early on in the year aren’t as good as we once thought (UNC and Cal). All things considered, they’ve held their own in the Big East, have a great combination of size, speed, and shooting, and man are they long in the 2-3 zone.

4.) West Virginia

West Virginia, to me, is going to be a tough out tournament time. If a few things fall their way, I think this team could be in the Final Four. I considered Villanova, Georgetown, Kansas State, and Texas for this position. To me W. Va had the best shot. They score better than Georgetown, and defend much better than ‘Nova. They’re SOS and RPI are right at the top. I love Butler and Ebanks. I think this is a team that gets to the Final Four.