Final Four Observations and Predictions

America's most thrilling sporting event is heading into its stretch run. Duke, West Virginia, Butler, and Michigan State are all vying for a chance to cut down the nets in Indy. Here are my musings and prognostications:

---The Final Four is set, and Indianapolis will be rocking on Saturday night, thanks to Butler's stunning wins over Syracuse and Kansas State.

---The run to the Final Four by the hometown Butler Bulldogs serves as a reminder of the beauty of the NCAA Tournament. While I definitely prefer the NBA to the college game (let the hate mail begin!), there is no denying the fact that March Madness is extraordinarily compelling television, a true gift for sports fans everywhere.

---Butler may be thought of as a Cinderella, but this team is capable of winning the championship. Led by a superb coach in Brad Stevens, whose boyish, High School Musical-looks are startling, and by sharpshooter Gordon Hayward, the Bulldogs are a major threat to upset Michigan State on Saturday night. Go Bulldogs!

---However, beating a Tom Izzo-coached team in the Final Four is a monumental task. Izzo is, for my money, the best coach in college basketball. Even better than Coach K. Even better than Roy Williams. Izzo has had astonishing success in the NCAA Tourney over the years, and that is a testament to his unparalleled leadership and intelligence. There is no one better.

---This 2010 Michigan State Spartan team may be the team to beat. Yes, they will again be without their star Kalin Lucas, but guys like Durrell Summers, Raymar Morgan, and Korie Lucious have done a nice job of picking up the slack in Lucas' absence. My heart is with Butler, but something tells me Sparty will be back in the title game.

---And then there is Duke and West Virginia. I have been accused of being a Duke hater over the years, and I plead guilty to that charge. However, there is no denying the fact that Coach K's Blue Devils are an outstanding team. Led by Kyle Singler, Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith, and Brian Zoubek, this Duke team is the best Duke team in a long time, and that's saying something.

---But call me biased, close-minded, whatever: I like West Virginia to win this game. Some would say the Mountaineers got lucky with the 3-ball against Kentucky, and that's just how Coach Bob Huggins likes it. Huggins' team has been flying under the radar all year long, and with Duke favored to win, West Virginia will feed off the fuel of their skeptics on Saturday night. If point guard Darryl Bryant is healthy, look for the Mountaineers to advance to the title game.

---If Michigan State and West Virginia do end up duking it out for the national championship, I would give the slight edge to Tom Izzo's team. Though they may not look like the best team on paper, the Spartans under Izzo always seem to get it done.

---My predictions: Michigan State over Butler; West Virginia over Duke; MSU over WVA

---My hopes: Butler, Butler, Butler, and anybody but Duke.