It's a good thing the prognosticators' postseason isn't a one-and-done. Both college basketball gurus picked Georgia Tech to take out Nevada, but Uncle Joey (3-1) picked two other games correctly (Xavier and St. Joe's) while C. Mack (2-2) picked just one (Alabama).
C. Mack had to listen to Uncle Joey talk trash all week about how "his Musketeers" were one win away from the Final Four. Then, C. Mack showed him a picture of the 2004 Progs Regular Season Championship banner hanging in his West Akers dorm room, and Joey shut up.
"C. Mack can talk about his banner all he wants," Uncle Joey said. "It's about as meaningful as the 2004 Big Ten Championship banner the Spartans prematurely hung in Breslin Center."
His words weren't taken too kindly by a grumpy C. Mack, who is still upset he fell for Stanford as an "actual contender" after dissing the team all season.
"When it's all said and done, it'll be C. Mack's face in the rendition of One Shining State News Moment," C. Mack said.
No. 3 Georgia Tech (27-9) vs. No. 2 Oklahoma State (31-3)
C. Mack - Go ahead and get excited about Georgia Tech. Are you finished yet? No team other than UConn had an easier road to San Antonio. The Yellow Jackets are solid and Jarrett Jack really got my attention as one of those players who leaves it all on the floor. But does anyone in the world who doesn't live in Georgia or pick the Jackets to win the NCAA Championship really care?
Oklahoma State is the superior team, and Eddie Sutton deserves all the accolades he can get. Moving to the final is just the first of two steps.
Oklahoma State 72, Georgia Tech 62
Uncle Joey - First of all, it's never easy to make it to the Final Four. Some teams might have to play higher seeds, but with the parity in college basketball these days, it's tough for any team to get to the Final Four.
Both Georgia Tech and Oklahoma State have quality point guards. It's nearly impossible to choose between them. But I love seeing John Lucas, a former NBA coach who battled substance abuse as a player, cheer on his son, Oklahoma State point guard John Lucas III. Lucas III hit the game-winning shot against St. Joe's that propelled his team to the Final Four, and I expect another clutch performance against Georgia Tech.
Oklahoma State 68, Georgia Tech 67
No. 1 Duke (31-5) vs. No. 2 Connecticut (31-6)
Uncle Joey - Both Duke and UConn have star players battling injury. The question is: Which player is more important to his team? Can Duke advance without a completely healthy Chris Duhon? Can UConn maintain a fierce interior defense with Emeka Okafor battling chronic back pain? Duhon and Okafor both have managed to be effective in this NCAA Tournament, which suggests both teams can succeed without them.
Duhon and Okafor aside, UConn appears to have more talent, with players such as Ben Gordon, Rashad Anderson and Charlie Villanueva. Duke will probably end up whining about having to play UConn in the Final Four, but that's life. Boo hoo.
UConn 79, Duke 70
C. Mack - Enough talk about this being the "real" national championship game. Duke is a little foul trouble away from being knocked out and UConn is one away from not seeing the Final Four in a long time.
The Blue Devils might have the upper hand because Coach K is at his (insert large number here) Final Four. But, I'm going with the team that hasn't been tested so far this postseason. With a healthy Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon and Rashad Anderson shooting the lights out, UConn won't be stopped - by Duke.
UConn 83, Duke 79
C. Mack's Final: Oklahoma State vs. UConn
Cowboy up! The talk of UConn being unstoppable will come to a screeching halt in the finals when Oklahoma State, a team that has been underappreciated all season, takes the crown.
Oklahoma State 74, UConn 72
Uncle Joey's Final: Oklahoma St. vs. UConn
Okafor in 2004! The last time UConn won a national championship, it upset heavily favored Duke in 1999. But this year, the Huskies will avoid the upset and take out the Cowboys.
UConn 63, Oklahoma St. 58
Tiebreaker: Women's championship
Uncle Joey - How can I go against Diana Taurasi, the best women's player since Cheryl Miller? I once shrugged off Taurasi as the product of an aggressive hype machine, but this girl is for real. Get 'em, Dee!
UConn 99, Tennessee 70
C. Mack - Yes, I filled out a women's bracket, and I'm sticking with my pre-tourney pick.
No. 1 Tennessee 79, No. 2 UConn 73
