Hard-nosed Griffin gives Oklahoma edge over Tar Heels

Dan, I would hazard to guess a lot of people don't even know that Jeff Capel, the former Dukie, is the coach of the Oklahoma Sooners. And not many people are picking them to win the South Regional, and the reason is that North Carolina is standing in their way. It could be North Carolina vs. Oklahoma for the chance to go to the Final Four. And when Oklahoma not only wins the regional, but also takes the NCAA championship, I will have bragging rights for the year.

With forward Blake Griffin leading the Sooners' charge, Tyler Hansbrough & Co. will have their hands full. Griffin, the Big 12 player of the year, is the second coming of Charles Barkley. He can handle the ball, shoot, defend and is a guy who can carry a team on his back. Dan, this guy was sidelined by a concussion earlier this year, and when he came back, he dove into the stands for a loose ball!

The only team that can beat North Carolina is Oklahoma, because of its quick guards, good rebounding and stud player. I believe if it's not Oklahoma, then North Carolina will be champ. But I don't see that happening.

My concern is that Oklahoma only has three seniors. But heck, that doesn't matter anymore because the best college player I have seen all year is Griffin. And look out for hot-shot freshman Willie Warren.

Now, I know that we are picking a No. 1 and No. 2 seed. But it's anybody's game. And the team no one is talking about is the Sooners of Oklahoma. And I'm right.

Mike, since President Obama and yours truly got on a roll by picking the Steelers to win the Super Bowl, I figure don't mess with a good thing. I'm following the president's lead and taking North Carolina to win the NCAA tournament.

Here is my logic as to why the Tar Heels will stomp the competition like a barrel full of grapes en route to a berth in the Sweet 16. Things won't really get interesting until they face either second-seeded Oklahoma or third-seeded Syracuse in the Elite Eight. I like Syracuse over Oklahoma in the Sweet 16, but the Orange will be no match for the Tar Heels. North Carolina will move on to the Final Four and face Duke for the right to play for the title against John Calipari's Memphis Tigers. The problem for Memphis will be Carolina's balance and experience as well as the excellent coaching of Roy Williams and his staff.

I know you're thinking, who are the players that will get UNC there? Allow me to begin with last season's player of the year, 6-9 forward Tyler Hansbrough. The big man averages 21 a game along with eight rebounds while shooting 53 percent from the field. He is complemented by point guard Ty Lawson, who should be good to go by the time the Sweet 16 rolls around, even with that pesky toe injury. Something else the Carolina team has is depth, and the Heels play suffocating defense learned on the tough backroads of the ACC.

So my friend, lock it in: The Tar Heels are just a few weeks away from their bright shining moment. I know I'm right.