Brackets have been busted and buzzers have been beaten in this year’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. What happened thus far is significant, but the championship game is the night everyone waits for.
Down to the Final Four, South Carolina and Gonzaga face off today at 3:09 p.m., while Oregon and North Carolina play this evening at 5:49 p.m.
The winners of those games will play Monday night.
The Signal polled several coaches from across the Foothill League to see which team they think will have that “one shining moment.” Here’s what they have to say:
Jerry Mike, Valencia girls basketball
“I think North Carolina will win.
They’re stacked. My gosh, what a team. They have everything. The best back court, the bigs, they have veteran guys. If they don’t win, I think it’s a big upset. I can’t believe they have seven losses on the year. That team has NBA guys all over the place. They should win it.
I’d like to see one of the other teams win. Especially Gonzaga. I’m pulling for somebody to beat (North Carolina), but I don’t think they should lose.”
Bill Bedgood, Saugus boys basketball
“I’m going Gonzaga. I love their program, I think they’ve done a great job and I think the first year they finally broke through and got to the Final Four. I think this is their year.
To me, they’re the best team I’ve seen all year long. I think they’ll beat North Carolina in the championship game. (Saugus senior Zach Phipps) doesn’t want to hear that because he’s a North Carolina fan, but it’s going to be Gonzaga.”
Jared White, West Ranch girls soccer
“I’m a huge Duke fan. I would like South Carolina to win because then it validates Duke losing. But I think North Carolina is going to take it all, sadly. I hate North Carolina with a passion.
Last year losing at the buzzer I think gives (North Carolina) some extra motivation, and they have a lot of talented players. Big guys up front and guys who can shoot.”
Alex Dunwoody, Canyon boys basketball
“That’s tough. I’m a Duke fan and with Duke losing, I have a hard time picking this team, but I think North Carolina is going to win it. As much as I hate it, but North Carolina is very talented, very big inside. They have experience from last year as well. So I pick North Carolina.”
Lonnie Davis, Golden Valley track and field
“North Carolina. They have the team with the most tradition, they have one of the best coaches ever in Roy Williams and they also have some of the best players in America. They have several McDonald’s All-Americans on the team. To me, it seems like a no-brainer.
Over the years, that’s just been the team that’s always there lingering around even if they didn’t have the greatest regular season.”
