How the teams were picked:[/B][/I] We asked eight members of our college basketball team at ESPN Insider (Jay Bilas, Dan Dakich, Sean Farnham, Fran Fraschilla, John Gasaway, Jeff Goodman, Seth Greenberg and Joe Lunardi) not to make their Final Four picks, but to identify the 12 teams they would be least surprised[/I] to see reach the Final Four. A total of 21 teams were named, including two currently residing outside the Top 25. Meanwhile, six current members of the AP Top 25 were not cited by any of our Insiders as a no-surprise Final Four team.
Genius-maker no-surprise picks (named on one ballot)
Georgetown Hoyas (1 of 8)[/B]
I would not be surprised to see the Hoyas reach the Final Four because ...[/I] "making the Final Four is all about the second game of the weekend, and Georgetown will be such a tough matchup at that time. The Hoyas play with great spacing, have a go-to scorer in Joshua Smith and are much better defensively than anybody realizes. By the time the tournament comes around those freshmen are sophomores. They are skilled enough, are difficult to prepare for and between Smith-Rivera on the perimeter and the immovable object in the post, they'll be a tough out in the tournament." -- Seth Greenberg[/I]
Indiana Hoosiers (1 of 8)[/B]
I would not be surprised to see the Hoosiers reach the Final Four because ...[/I] "they have quickness, and they can shoot the basketball. They also share the basketball -- they're egoless for the most part. They're also a very bonded team -- they like each other and play for each other." -- Dan Dakich[/I]
Oklahoma Sooners (1 of 8)[/B]
I would not be surprised to see the Sooners reach the Final Four because ...[/I] "they have tremendous guard play, and a couple of quality bigs with Ryan Spangler. This group, which added Thomas, could really score a year ago -- and now the Sooners are much better on the defensive end." -- Jeff Goodman[/I]
SMU Mustangs (1 of 8)[/B]
I would not be surprised to see the Mustangs reach the Final Four because ...[/I] "the Mustangs have been steadily improving all season long. Nic Mooreform an all-conference-level inside-outside duo, and Larry Brown's defense has held American opponents to well under a point per possession. The main problem with this group last season was a high turnover rate, and that's been fixed (mostly). SMU is the strongest team out of the league that gave us last season's national champion." -- John Gasaway[/I]
Wichita State Shockers (1 of 8)[/B]
I would not be surprised to see the Shockers reach the Final Four because ...[/I] "the Shockers play something very close to error-free ball. It took 44 percent shooting from beyond the arc by Kentucky to knock Gregg Marshall's team out of the tournament last March -- and the Wildcats needed every single 3 for their two-point win. Darius Carter may join both of them on the All-Valley team. Wichita State is a threat to reach its second Final Four in three tries." -- John Gasaway[/I]
Current AP Top 25 teams that were not named on any ballots (6): [/B]No. 14 Texas
Genius-maker no-surprise picks (named on one ballot)
Georgetown Hoyas (1 of 8)[/B]
I would not be surprised to see the Hoyas reach the Final Four because ...[/I] "making the Final Four is all about the second game of the weekend, and Georgetown will be such a tough matchup at that time. The Hoyas play with great spacing, have a go-to scorer in Joshua Smith and are much better defensively than anybody realizes. By the time the tournament comes around those freshmen are sophomores. They are skilled enough, are difficult to prepare for and between Smith-Rivera on the perimeter and the immovable object in the post, they'll be a tough out in the tournament." -- Seth Greenberg[/I]
Indiana Hoosiers (1 of 8)[/B]
I would not be surprised to see the Hoosiers reach the Final Four because ...[/I] "they have quickness, and they can shoot the basketball. They also share the basketball -- they're egoless for the most part. They're also a very bonded team -- they like each other and play for each other." -- Dan Dakich[/I]
Oklahoma Sooners (1 of 8)[/B]
I would not be surprised to see the Sooners reach the Final Four because ...[/I] "they have tremendous guard play, and a couple of quality bigs with Ryan Spangler. This group, which added Thomas, could really score a year ago -- and now the Sooners are much better on the defensive end." -- Jeff Goodman[/I]
SMU Mustangs (1 of 8)[/B]
I would not be surprised to see the Mustangs reach the Final Four because ...[/I] "the Mustangs have been steadily improving all season long. Nic Mooreform an all-conference-level inside-outside duo, and Larry Brown's defense has held American opponents to well under a point per possession. The main problem with this group last season was a high turnover rate, and that's been fixed (mostly). SMU is the strongest team out of the league that gave us last season's national champion." -- John Gasaway[/I]
Wichita State Shockers (1 of 8)[/B]
I would not be surprised to see the Shockers reach the Final Four because ...[/I] "the Shockers play something very close to error-free ball. It took 44 percent shooting from beyond the arc by Kentucky to knock Gregg Marshall's team out of the tournament last March -- and the Wildcats needed every single 3 for their two-point win. Darius Carter may join both of them on the All-Valley team. Wichita State is a threat to reach its second Final Four in three tries." -- John Gasaway[/I]
Current AP Top 25 teams that were not named on any ballots (6): [/B]No. 14 Texas
