Check out what our analysts had to say about this year’s big dance….we’re not sure what is on the line here (probably an only partially used CSF coozie).  Anyway, here are the predictions from a few of our writers.

Jeff Dunbar/CSF Senior Editor

Final Four:  Kentucky, Syracuse, Michigan State, UNC

I have Kentucky beating UNC in the championship, and here’s my breakdown of why:

I have Syracuse rallying to the Final Four, despite the suspension of Fab Melo.  They’re still very deep, and I think they come together as a team and get to New Orleans.

I think Tom Izzo gets yet another trip to the Final Four behind his coaching and the versitle play of Draymond Green.

UNC recovers nicely from their heart-breaking loss to Florida State in the ACC Championship game.  Keep in mind that the Tarheels were only one shot away in that one, and that was without John Henson.  Expect him to be back by round 2, and that will make an impact for Roy Williams’ crew.

I have Kentucky winning it all.  They have the best player in the nation, in Anthony Davis, and I believe this is the year John Calipari gets it done.  The ‘Cats simply have too much althleticsm, and despite losing the SEC Championship game, they are still the best team in the country.

Alex Munter/CSF Contributor and Bracketology Guru

Final Four:  Kentucky, Ohio State, Michigan State, UNC

I picked these final four because, come on- Kentucky, self explanatory. Ohio State because they have all star talent that is sure to step up (on and off the court). Michigan State has been having an awesome season with a team that remains calm and composed throughout the game and has a strong defense. Finally, UNC because despite injuries, the team still has 3 players certain to land high future NBA draft picks and a couple young shooters that are bound to give a show.

I picked Kentucky to take it all against UNC because they are unstoppable! They have only lost 2 games this entire season and the winning streak won’t stop now. Calipari has a team full of talent and he knows how to coach. Not to mention, the Wildcats have enthusiasm and speed on their side, both offensively and defensively, thus making it difficult for opponents to stop them on the way to the basket. I am predicting a tight game with an end score of 85-78.

Allie Balog/CSF Writer & Contributor

Final Four: Kentucky, Syracuse, Michigan St., UNC
I have these four teams going to the Final Four because they are the teams that I feel have proved this season that they can really go all the way. Kentucky for one has only lost two games in this entire regular season, they are probably the countries pick to win the National Championship, but that’s only because they have proved that they are the best team in the country thus far. As for Syracuse, Michigan State, and UNC while they have all had loses, they have also proved that they are still a team that you want to beat and they don’t like to be beaten.
As for the National Championship, I have Kentucky. Like I said they have proved that they are the best team in the country during the regular season, and I have no doubt in my mind that they will work their butt’s off during March Madness to prove that they truly are the best and win the entire championship. I think that they will end up beating Syracuse for the championship and not by a lot. I think that the final score will be less than a 10 point difference, which would make for a really great National Championship game and truly show who’s the best of the best.

Any Izzo-led team need be considered for title contention, but especially when he returns the majority of his Final Four roster.

By: Brian Mosgaller

With Ben Brust signing up to don the cardinal-and-white for Bo Ryan on Friday, ending his quasi-controversial recruiting situation, Wisconsin men’s basketball finally completed its four-player recruiting class for the upcoming season.

Therefore, let’s commence the premature prediction making.

To a homer, and true believer in the genius of Señor Ryan, the addition of Brust seems like the final piece necessary for the Badgers to make another legitimate run at a league title – something the team has done three times under Ryan’s reign (2002, 2003, 2008).

But without question, the competition will be stiff, and a repeat of last year’s top-heavy finish (when there was a three-way tie for first between Purdue, Michigan State and Ohio State, one team one game back – Wisconsin – and one more – Illinois – with more than 10 wins) is quite reasonable, if not more than likely.

So, without further ado, here is where I envision the Big Ten chips falling next year, considering Brust’s addition and the fact that all the major Big Ten underclassmen who had flirted with the NBA draft (Purdue’s E’Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson, Illinois’ Demetri McCamey and Mike Davis, and Penn State’s Talor Battle) are coming back to school.

1.) Michigan State Spartans

The popular pick in this spot is and will continue to be Purdue, and I understand that. To be fair, they’re both really good teams and the conference race will almost definitely involve both teams until the final game or two. Yet, the reason I give the Spartans the edge is quite simple. Tom Izzo.

When the cupboard is relatively bare and the deck is stacked against this natural born Yooper, he still manages to will his team to top three Big Ten finishes and top six NCAA seeds. But when Izzo returns a Final Four team that will lose only Raymar Morgan, watch out.

Coming off a Big Ten Player of the Year campaign in 2008-09, Kalin Lucas coasted at times last year prior to rupturing his Achilles in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Next year, Lucas should return with a renewed sense of purpose and mission, reestablishing himself as one of the league’s premier guards.

Moreover, Lucas’s absence (not only due to the Achilles’ injury, but also to a sprained ankle) allowed Milwaukee native Korie Lucious to really grow and start to discover his identity as a point guard. On top of that, Durrell Summers figured out his scoring potential as the season neared its end, averaging 19 points a game in the tourney, and Draymond Green, the 20010 Sixth Man of the Year, anchors the post as one of the more talented post presences in the conference.

It goes without saying that MSU teams will rebound, play hard-nosed “D,” and offer maximum effort. Combining all of that with top-tier talent and enviable experience and the Spartans should raise a lucky 13th banner to the Breslin Center rafters.

2.) Purdue Boilermakers

This is definitely a case where that “2” should instead read “1b.” Recall that before team-leader Robbie Hummel went down with a tragic knee injury, this team was ranked No. 3 in the country and boasted a 24-3 overall mark. Impressively, the Boilermakers managed to finish the year 29-6, including an unexpected visit to the Sweet 16.

So, we know they were good.

But they take this spot not because of what they showed last year, but because of today’s news that both E’Twaun Moore – the team’s leading scorer (16.4 per game) and assist leader (2.7 an outing) – and JaJuan Johnson – who finished with marks of 15.5 points per game, a team-best 7.1 rebounds and a league-best 2.0 blocks – would return for their senior year after entering their names into the NBA Draft process.

Everybody wins. Moore and Johnson are both too raw to make an impact at the next level, and with them, Purdue is as formidable as any team in the land because, of course, they will join a healthy (or as healthy as he gets) Hummel, and returning point guard Lewis Jackson.

And the value of those returning contributors outweighs the loss of everyone’s most recent favorite-to-hate Boilermaker Chris Kramer (worse than Brian Cardinal, in my opinion) and mainstay guard Keaton Grant.

Barring another devastating injury, there’s no reason Matt Painter’s squad shouldn’t be in a position similar to the one they were in before Hummel went down.

3.) Wisconsin Badgers

Now I know this pick could incite claims of partiality, but I couldn’t care less. Heading into last season, when the question of post-production had no clear answer, pundits, experts, writers and bloggers all picked the Badgers to finish in the bottom half of the conference.

As usual, Bo Ryan proved everyone wrong, developing Jon Leuer into a legitimate post threat, and then surviving Leuer’s injury by transforming the team’s offensive attack without compromising the team’s defensive foundation. Hopefully, the lesson was learned: don’t bet against Bo.

So I won’t. Sure, the Badgers will need to replace two starting, senior guards, which is never an easy task. But UW is lucky enough to have a player as talented and experienced as Jordan Taylor to take the reins. Beyond that, the guard depth appeared slim, but then the squad added Brust to Port Washington, Wis., recruit Josh Gasser, giving Ryan two more perimeter players to work with. Throw in Rob Wilson, and the guard shortage for Wisconsin is less worrisome than the post situation from the year before.

Most important, though, will be the chance for Jon Leuer to really take over this squad. As a 6-foot-10 forward with a sweet jumper, Leuer is a match-up problem almost every time he steps onto the floor. Personally, I think this is the year Leuer really puts his name on the national map by dominating the Big Ten. As a result, the Badgers will challenge again.

4.) Ohio State Buckeyes

Anytime you lose a player who notched 20.4 points per game, 9.2 rebounds and 6 assists while shooting over 50 percent, you’re going to suffer a bit. Evan Turner did everything for Thad Matta’s unit last year, and his importance was clearly demonstrated in watching the Buckeyes while he was injured and when he came back.

Oddly, however, Matta’s Buckeyes aren’t shit out of luck. Far from it. Rather, OSU will return the other four starters and add two McDonald’s All-Americans, including hometown favorite Jared Sullinger.

And honestly, this isn’t something new. Matta has already dealt with Greg Oden, Daequan Cook and Mike Conley, Kousta Koufos, and B.J. Mullens leaving early and he has hardly missed a beat. Expect that trend to continue this year.

5.) Illinois Fighting Illini

Outside of Purdue, there wasn’t a happier Big Ten town today than Champagne. The cause? The announced returns of standout point guard Demetri McCamey and versatile (if frail) forward Mike Davis.

Like last season when the Illini finished out of the top-of-the-league party, they probably don’t have enough to seriously contend for top honors. Nevertheless, they are probably a lock for nine Big Ten wins and an NCAA bid. More or less, though, this team will go as far as McCamey takes them. The big point guard reminiscent of Deron Williams led the league in assists last year (7.1) while contributing 15.1 points. Yet at times, McCamey could be petulant, and he butted heads with coach Bruce Weber.

If McCamey can get on the same page as his coach and help some young talent to develop, Illinois shouldn’t be on the outside of the bubble for a second straight year.

6.) Minnesota Golden Gophers

Many like Northwestern here, but come on, it’s Northwestern. Although it will be difficult to fill the shoes of graduating departees Lawrence Westbrook, Devron Bostick and Damian Johnson, the Gophers still bring back second-leading scorer Blake Hoffarber, Devoe Joseph, and two 6-foot-10 plus posts, Ralph Sampson III and Colton Iverson.

And, like with Izzo, when rosters compare closely and the rest is unknown, go with the better coach. So I will, taking Tubby Smith and the Gophers to hover on the tenuous bubble surface.

7.) Northwestern Wildcats

Could this finally be the year the lovable losers from Evanston get invited to the Dance? It just may be. The Wildcats flirted with such a fate last year before fading as the conference season wore on.

This year, the Wildcats will benefit from the return of Kevin Coble, injured all of last year, who had led the team in scoring and rebounding his first three years. Coble will now join John Shurna, who finished the year third in the league in scoring (18.2 per) and seventh in glass-cleaning (6.4).

In short, this is the best chance these destitute fans have had in a long time to realistically watch a tournament team. We can only wait and see if Coble and Co. can handle that pressure.

8.) Penn State Nittany Lions

Nittany Lion fans must be thanking their lucky stars today as they receive the news that Talor Battle, who was second in the Big Ten in scoring (18.5 ppg), will return. Battle was already a one-man team and will be so even more next year (if that makes sense) with the transfers of Chris Babb, the Lions’ third-leading scorer, and contributor Bill Edwards.

Frankly, after Northwestern, none of these teams have much of a shot. But having Battle will at least allow this team to compete on a frequent basis. Unfortunately, that’s more than can be said for…

9.) Indiana Hoosiers

It’s an intriguing query: If Tom Crean could go back in time, would he take this job twice? Probably not, but he did, so here we are. Slowly but surely, Crean’s recruiting acumen is paying dividends, but the proud Hoosiers just aren’t there yet.

Crean’s crew, led by 16.4 point per game scorer, Maurice Creek, does bring some scoring punch to the table, averaging a respectable 66.2 points per contest last season. It’s the other side of the ball that is their true problem, as IU surrendered over 71 a game.

The upside here is that the team is still incredibly young and could surprise people if they can somehow find a way to get stops.

10.) Michigan Wolverines

Last year, the maize-and-blue were one of those teams on the schedule you hated because you should beat them, but you knew you were in for a dogfight. And for the Wolverines, the dogs they entered in the fight were dynamic offensive producers Manny Harris (18.1 ppg) and DeShawn Sims (16.8 ppg). If Harris and Sims were on, watch out. If they weren’t, opponents were in good shape.

Now, both are gone and the team’s leading returning scorer is Zack Novak, who chipped in just over seven a game.

John Beilein is a good coach and seems like a better man. Alas, that isn’t enough to win games, and the Wolverines will struggle to score this year.

11.) Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa, Iowa, Iowa. Well, at least you’ve still got football, right?

There’s not much to say here – the Hawkeyes hardwood prospects are bleak and the program is looking at another cycle of rebuilding after firing Todd Lickliter (setting in motion the Ben Brust transfer).

Lickliter’s replacement Fran McCaffrey, from Siena, did remarkable things with the Saints in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). In Iowa City, however, he inherits a mess and it will take him awhile to get things right.

Stupid Steve Alford…

Whenever a team embarks on a journey through the NCAA Tournament that gains them national media recognition, it becomes more of a burden than a blessing.  Each individual receives more questions than usual, more calls of support from family and friends and even more ticket requests.  The team is put under the microscope – every detail about how they play and possible outcomes in the upcoming game is scrutinized to an almost boring extent.  The pressure that is placed by the media on these kids is an immense burden that threatens the ability of each of them to stay focused, though it is simply part of the experience for Final Four participants.

Pay attention Hayward: this is proper technique for handling pressure

And so, as the 5^th seeded Butler Bulldogs prepare for their Final Four matchup against Tom Izzo’s Michigan State Spartans, I hope they are keeping their heads on straight.  Tom Izzo is now entering his sixth Final Four appearance during his coaching tenure at MSU.  He is perhaps the best coach in the NCAA at preparing his team for the NCAA Tournament.  It seems like every year his team overachieves according to popular opinion, although to Izzo he probably believes his team underachieves, because he knows his team’s potential and excepts the very best out of them.

On the other bench, Brad Stevens enters his first Final Four in only his third year as the head coach of Butler.  No words can fully capture the exceptional ability that Stevens has showed in guiding this team to the Final Four.  I whole-heartedly believe that he will be a successful coach for some time, and I know he is doing his best to keep his players’ minds on the right track.  What I do question, however, is whether or not the players are following suit and staying focused.

Obviously, the players have bought into what coach Stevens has preached, or else they would not be playing in Indy right now.  But the pressure on these kids is quite heavy.  Meanwhile, even though the Spartans are considered the favorite due to Tom Izzo’s experience, Butler is receiving all the media attention.

I know that MSU will be prepared and are basically flying under the radar right now.  They must love it.  They’ll let the Bulldogs have all the attention they can handle.  Then, the Spartans can come out focused and just play their game without having to prove anything to anyone but themselves.  That is why if you asked me who I think will win between MSU and Butler, I would say the Michigan State Izzo’s without question.

Don’t get me wrong; I want to see Butler win just as much as anybody – I think the story that they’re carrying on their backs is a fantastic story.  Lucas Oil Stadium will be ear-piercingly loud in support of the hometown Bulldogs.  But boy, what a weight that story is on their backs.

No Tom-foolery tolerated

Brad Stevens, an Indy native, and his Butler squad will have hometown support in this year's Final Four.

By: Brian Mosgaller

So, the eve of the Final Four is finally upon us. And beyond the standard hyperbole of, ‘This is the best tournament ever!’ recited perfunctorily by the experts, the week’s media coverage has gravitated heavily – and understandably – toward the Butler Bulldogs. It makes sense; it is inarguably a special story. However, some of the pro-Butler, overly schmoozy portrayals of the team’s run may have turned some off. Which is why, I think it’s necessary to revisit the reasons why this underdog for the ages deserves your support…

1.) Butler is the flag-bearer for all mid-majors seeking real respect

Now, don’t get me wrong, George Mason was a fantastic story. Jim Larranaga was a lovable front man, and the Patriots knocked off tournament mainstays Michigan State, North Carolina and Connecticut to earn their way to the national semifinals. Unfortunately, it was a lighting-in-a-bottle moment. George Mason is a solid program, in a solid, mid-major league, that caught fire and a number of breaks on their way to the most magical run in tournament history.

Butler is different. The program has reached the tournament nine times in the past 14 years, with an infamous 25-5 snub in 2002. It is a program that has given us a memorable, Darnell Archey-led run to the Sweet Sixteen in 2003, and another second-weekend run behind A.J. Graves in 2007. They have won seven Horizon League titles since 2001. Butler is a damn good basketball school.

Which is what makes this special. They aren’t a blind squirrel finding a nut. Rather, they are a quality mid-major that has built to this point and finally gotten to the promised land. It was commonly assumed that Gonzaga – the former posterchild for mid-major success – would be the first non-BCS university to crash the party. Instead, it’s Butler. But either way, their trip validates the long-term success of a handful of mid-majors that have been able to sustain success.

2.) The hometown factor

Although the Michigan State in Detroit theme from last year’s Dance was neat, MSU is 90 miles away from Detroit. Butler is mere miles from Indy. They are the first school to legitimately have a hometown Final Four game since UCLA in 1972 – and I’m willing to wager the Bruins didn’t need the hometown boost. With Butler, though, the fans will be a very influential factor. Which leads me to…

3.) Hoosiers

Is there any place more deserving and fitting of this run than Butler and the state of Indiana? Butler, a small-school from basketball-crazy Indianapolis, knocks off more heralded foes en route to an unlikely destination in a prestigious championship event. Seriously? You can’t write this stuff. Someone check the roster, Jimmy Chitwood must be the leading scorer.

There isn’t a state in the union more frequently or passionately associated with the sport of basketball than Indiana. And Indiana is also a blue-collar Midwest state with a bit of an inferiority complex to it (see: ESPN’s Reggie Miller v. Knicks documentary). Now, we have the team that actually plays in the building that saw Milan High miraculously triumph over Muncie High (the basis of the famous movie, which also happened to be filmed at Hinkle Fieldhouse, Butler’s home arena), reaching the Final Four in its home city. It is nothing short of a fairytale.

4.) Team identity

Making the powerful story all the more fitting, is that Butler didn’t stray from the state’s basketball genetics in order to reach this peak. Two-thirds of the current roster hails from the Hoosier State, including first- and third-leading scorers, Gordon Hayward and Matt Howard, respectively. Head coach Brad Stevens grew up in an Indianapolis suburb and his team reflects the state’s basketball M.O.

The Bulldogs aren’t tall – Howard holds down the fort in the post at a relatively diminutive 6-8 – but they are efficient with the ball, shoot it well and play hard-nosed defense. As a team, the Horizon League champs shot a healthy 45 percent on the year, with four of the squad’s five starters gunning at clips in excess of 46 percent. They managed a respectable 1.7 turnover margin, and finished ninth in the country in defense, allowing just 59.6 points per game. In other words, not only does Butler represent Indiana this weekend, but they’ve reflected the state’s basketball values all decade.

5.) Who else are you going to root for?

Honestly, come on. Outside of Durham, the state of West Virginia and the state to the north of this year’s finals, there is no acceptable reason not to pull for Butler. Yeah, West Virginia is in its first Final Four since the late-1950s. But they also play in the Big East and have an enrollment more than five times that of Butler. And yes, Michigan State coping with and surviving the loss of its leader, Kalin Lucas, is pretty special. But the Spartans and Tom Izzo have been there six out of the last 12 years – not quite as special anymore, huh? And Duke, well, let’s just say, I don’t think I could come up with three reasons to root for the Blue Devils.

No, instead, indulge yourself and root for the hometown underdog. Let the story suck you in. And as soon as you feel like a chump for doing so, simply revisit this list.