2008 NCAA TOURNAMENT PREDICTIONS

SOUTH REGION - Houston, TX

1 Memphis

16 TX-Arlington

8 Mississippi St

9 Oregon

Memphis

Mississippi St

5 Michigan St

12 Temple

4 Pittsburgh

13 Oral Roberts

Michigan St

Pittsburgh

3 Stanford

14 Cornell

6 Marquette

11 Kentucky

Stanford

Kentucky

7 Miami-FL

10 Saint Mary's

2 Texas

15 Austin Peay

Miami-FL

Texas

Memphis

Pittsburgh

Stanford

Texas

Pittsburgh

Stanford

Regional Champ
Stanford

GENERAL THOUGHTS ON THE SOUTH REGION

Believe me, no one is more surprised that I'm taking Stanford to reach the Final Four than I am. But I just LOVE the Cardinal's matchups against Texas, Pittsburgh / Michigan State, AND Memphis. Brook Lopez is in my opinion the best big man in the country, and Robin Lopez has really come on late in the year. Their lack of reliance on jumpshooting should be an asset when they get to Reliant Stadium, as it's going to take Abrams, Augustin, et al. some time to adjust to the depth perception in the Dome.
Memphis' free throw shooting and lack of clutch decision-making scenarios throughout the year is once again going to doom the Tigers to an early exit. Plus, Pitt is the hottest team in the country right now.
If you're looking for a 5-12, you could do worse than MSU-Temple. The Spartans have been Jekyll-and-Hyde all year.
I don't know why I like Miami over Saint Mary's since it violates my "overseeded vs. true seed" rule, but Saint Mary's just wasn't the same late in the year as they were early.
Look for Kentucky to prove all the doubters wrong by picking off a game against Tom Crean's team. It's strength vs. strength in that one, with both teams possessing excellent guard play, team defense, and rebounding, and neither team having a good inside presence.