Mirror Sports 3×5 – Week of Mar. 19

1. Number one seed most likely to lose first?

Tom Cleary: Connecticut. As much as I like the Huskies, the Jerome Dyson injury hurts.

Keith Connors: UConn. Sorry, Tom, Dan Kagdis, Jim Calhoun, and most of the Nutmeg State, but the injuries will hurt.

Chris Simmons: UConn. That’s still karma from Calhoun stealing Rudy Gay from Gary Williams.

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2. Who is your mid-major sleeper pick?

Tom Cleary: If VCU can get past UCLA, it can go on a long run.

Keith Connors: Write it down now: Utah State to the Sweet 16. Mormons in Logan will be partying like it’s 1899.

Chris Simmons: Chief Kickingstallionsims and Alabama State. 7′ 1′ and 265 lbs. That’s a lot of Indian.

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3. Which MAAC team will go further: Siena or Marist?

Tom Cleary: Marist, just because the women’s field is more wide open.

Keith Connors: Kenny Hasbrouck may or may not be healthy for Coach McCaff, so I’ll go with the Marist ladies.

Chris Simmons: Marist. But women’s basketball doesn’t really count…

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4. MIP: Most Important Player to their team?

Tom Cleary: Terrence Williams of Louisvile. He is playing the best basketball of his career right now.

Keith Connors: Gerald Henderson of Duke. At his best, he takes games over. Just ask Simmons and the Terrapins.

Chris Simmons: Greivis Vazquez of Maryland. Is there anyone more important to his team? Plus he’s had some crazy sideburns.

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5. And now, my bold prediciton…

Tom Cleary: Purdue will make the Elite Eight. Riding a Big Ten title, the Boilermakers will roll past UConn.

Keith Connors: Purdue? Please. Washington’s my’ call for a run in the West. Isaiah Thomas is a Pac-10 phenom (not that Isaiah).

Chris Simmons: Four teams seeded No. 4 or lower will make the Elite Eight. And Purdue isn’t one of them, Tom.

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Overtime

6. My Final Four is….

Tom Cleary: Memphis, Louisville, Pitt, Gonzaga

Keith Connors: Memphis, Wake Forest, Pitt, North Carolina

Chris Simmons: Memphis, Louisville, Pitt, Arizona State

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7. Who is your National Champion?

Tom Cleary: Louisville Cardinals

Keith Connors: Pittsburgh Panthers

Chris Simmons: Pittsburgh Panthers