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Final Four 2017: 5 bold predictions

By Cody Williams

Mar 24, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; The basketball court for the NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. The court is made from 397 4’ x 7’ panels of Northern Hard Maple, weighing approximately 188 pounds each. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK
Mar 24, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; The basketball court for the NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. The court is made from 397 4’ x 7’ panels of Northern Hard Maple, weighing approximately 188 pounds each. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Five bold predictions for the 2017 Final Four, in case things get a little bit hectic in Phoenix

After two wild weekends of March Madness, the 2017 Final Four has arrived. The Gonzaga Bulldogs, South Carolina Gamecocks, North Carolina Tar Heels and Oregon Ducks will all take the court in Phoenix, AZ on Saturday night as they look to keep their dreams of a National Championship alive.

Looking at the bulk of predictions, odds and things of that nature, the expected outcomes from these games isn’t hard to gather. Gonzaga is expected to end the run that Frank Martin and South Carolina have been on and do so relatively decisively. Meanwhile, North Carolina is expected to get past Oregon, though it’s not supposed to be nearly as decisive as the first game, and into their second-straight title game.

However, we know that things in the NCAA Tournament rarely play out in the way that is expected. That’s the beauty of March Madness and the Final Four. As such, we’re going to try and predict a little bit of the craziness that might transpire on Saturday night. These are five bold predictions for the 2017 Final Four.

Mar 24, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; The basketball court for the NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. The court is made from 397 4’ x 7’ panels of Northern Hard Maple, weighing approximately 188 pounds each. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK
Mar 24, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; The basketball court for the NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. The court is made from 397 4’ x 7’ panels of Northern Hard Maple, weighing approximately 188 pounds each. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK /

5. Gonzaga, South Carolina Go To Multiple Overtimes

Starting things off with a bang, North Carolina and Oregon are going to have to wait a while before they can take the court in Phoenix. That’s because the first matchup of the night in the Final Four is going to take quite a while to reach its conclusion. South Carolina and Gonzaga is a matchup that, by most metrics, favors the Bulldogs to just simply overwhelm the Gamecocks. However, South Carolina’s mentality right now in addition to their style of play won’t allow for that to happen.

When you look at both of these teams, they both have the stars you need to make big plays at the end of games. The likes of Nigel Williams-Goss and Przemek Karnowski both have the chops to make a big play when necessary. Meanwhile, everyone watching March Madness knows what Sindarius Thornwell is capable of at this point for South Carolina.

I think some combination of those players show up big late in what I also believe will be a close game. The South Carolina defense is big and athletic, which West Virginia showed can cause problems for the Bulldogs. As such, this game is going to overtime. And then it’s going to another overtime—and maybe even more beyond that. Though the Zags may be the heavy favorites, it’s going to take well beyond 40 minutes to decide a winner.

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