March's Final Table

With the Sweet Sixteen now finished, the luster has worn off the 2010 NCAA tournament. There is no more Cinderella, no drool-inducing regional final matchup, no possibility of an epic final. I liken this Madness to a poker tournament, the way these teams have congregated to the final eight without rhyme or reason. Most of the pre-tournament favorites have perished, as have all of the precocious longshots. Eight solid survivors remain, no commonality to their success other than the general weakness of their draw.

Kentucky is Phil Ivey. The best, as long as they try.

Duke is Phil Hellmuth. Nobody wants to see them win.

West Virginia is David Bach. Respected, but nobody picked them to win it all.

Kansas State is internet player X. Unknown coming in, but they have plenty of game.

Baylor is internet player Y. Unknown coming in, but they have plenty of confidence.

Michigan State is Nam Le. Solid, underrated, more deep runs than anyone.

Butler is Jason Somerville. Lurking, dangerous, ready to break through.

Tennessee is Phil Collins. Surprisingly, they've never played for stakes of this size.

Picking against anyone other than Kentucky would be foolish at this point. None of the other seven have the feel of a champ.