Elite 8 results

Louisville -- Michigan State.

First, Louisville needs to define how its name is pronounced. Is is Lew -uh-ville? Lew-ee-ville?  It's probably not Lew-us-ville, as in St. Louis or Joe Louis. Nevertheless, Lewster head coach Rick Pitino is perceived by many to be an oily little runt that will say and do anything that is good for -- Rick Pitino. Perhaps he missed his true calling. Politics.
On the other hand is Spartan head coach Tom Izzo. He's one of those crazy Yoopers that made good in East Lansing. Michigan State can't make free throws, but this is the time of year when nobody wants to play one of his teams. The Sparties have a way of being a very tough out once the tournament starts. They will be again. Though a much lower seed than the redbirds, MSU advances.

Kentucky -- Notre Dame

There's a reason why Kentucky has been #1 all year. They have the best two teams in the country. One is called team blue, and the other team white. Problem is, they all play for John Calipari.
This match-up features likely the biggest two love/hate scenarios possible. Regarding Notre Dame, one either loves them or hates them. Kentucky is similar. Either yer fer-em or agin-em, in a huge way. The bluegrassers pretty well stink when it comes to other sports, but have long been a basketball mecca. As yours truly has noted before, Notre Dame still hasn't figured out where their roots are. They call themselves the Fighting Irish, but the REAL Notre Dame is a cathedral in Paris, France.
It doesn't matter. All the Lucky Charms, four-leafed clovers, green beer, and leprechauns will do the South Benders no good. Didn't the Wildcats just beat a very good West Virginia team to the tune of 78-39? Look for a similar fate to befall the Irish/French, whatever they are laddies. This game's going to be a blowout.

Wisconsin --Arizona

A very interesting match-up. #1 and #2 seeds squaring off for a spot in the Final Four. Wisconsin has some serious horses, including arguably the best overall big man in the country, and is very well coached. But the other Wildcats are top to bottom more athletic. These two teams faced off just last year in a similar situation, and Arizona eked out a 1 point victory. Alas, there will be no joy in Cheeserland this year either. The Cats squeak out another one.

Duke -- Gonzaga

Another matchup of #1 and #2. Yours truly freely admits that he thought the Zags were overrated all year, but they continued to prove me wrong. They belong. Mark Few's Spokane gang is the real deal. They've got decent size up front, one of the best point guards in the country, can shoot with the best of them, and they play smart team basketball.
But that pretty much describes Coach K's Dukies as well. Nothing against the Durham Devils, because they've long been a class act, but yours truly also admits he'd like nothing better than to see Gonzaga finally make it to the Final Four. Better yet, win it all and cut down the nets. That would be a Cinderella story of Miracle on Ice or David slaying Godzilla in biblical times proportions.
Maybe not. The Bulldogs are hardly huge underdogs in this game. The early line has them at +2 1/2.
The Dukies have a long storied history of being in this position before, and underestimating the genius of Coach K is usually a very bad idea. Conversely, the Zags are in unchartered waters. It would stand to reason that Few's crew will be slew.
But any water-cooler wannabe wahoo can pick the favorites. It takes vision, true grit, and a perfect melding of rashness and senility to go against commonly held beliefs. Wut due thay no anyweigh?
Nip and tuck all game, but the Zags pull it out in the end.