Big East team in the Final Four? Fiction?

1. After seeing how Pitt was seeded in the NCAA Tournament, this year will finally be the… 1. After seeing how Pitt was seeded in the NCAA Tournament, this year will finally be the year the Panthers get past the Sweet 16.

Nick LaMantia: Fiction. With the Panthers and Aaron Gray having trouble against Georgetown in the Big East finals, I don’t see them being able to handle the Duke Blue Devils and Josh McRoberts. McRoberts, although a bit smaller than Gray, is a powerful presence in the middle and should give Pitt’s big men some trouble.

Dave Thomas: Fiction. And while I hate to be a pessimist, I’m not so sure that Pitt will even make it past the second round. Pitt will have its hands full with Wright State, and if it gets past the first round, the Duke Blue Devils will likely be waiting for the Panthers. While Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s squad isn’t the typical Duke powerhouse, it’s still Duke. I think the Panthers will have two tough games just to get to the Sweet 16 and face former coach Ben Howland and his UCLA Bruins. If Pitt can get to UCLA, I just don’t see them having enough gas to get to the Elite Eight.

2. A Big East team will end up in the Final Four.

NL: Fiction. Out of all of the regions, the only Big East team with a chance is the Georgetown Hoyas. The Hoyas, although extremely hot right now, won’t make it past the always-tough UNC Tar Heels or even the Texas Longhorns and Kevin Durant. Durant, who averages nearly 26 points per game, can take over a game. The Hoyas will be forced to play either Texas or UNC if they make it to the Elite Eight, and they don’t have the offense to compete with these powerhouses.

DT: Fact. While I’d like to see the Big East represented by Pitt, I think the team that defeated them in the Big East Tournament will end up in Atlanta. Georgetown is probably the hottest team in the country right now. They have won 15 of the last 16 games. Not only are the Hoyas firing on all cylinders, their No. 2 seed in the East region has them poised to make a creep up through the bottom of that bracket. Out of all the Big East teams in the tourney, I think the Hoyas have the best chance.

3. Florida, the overall No. 1 seed and defending national champ, will win the Midwest region and return to the Final Four.

NL: Fact. They won the championship last year, and, with almost the same exact team, the Gators should not only make it to the Final Four, but they should repeat as champions. They have the valuable tournament experience, and their main competition in their region will come from No. 2 Wisconsin. Wisconsin is without big man Brian Butch, who dominated the paint for the Badgers earlier in the year. Butch, who is out with an elbow injury, would be a deciding factor against Florida if he were to play.

DT: Fact. The Gators have to be the favorite to win it all. They return their whole championship squad from a year ago and probably have four NBA first-round draft picks in their lineup. Their experience will be invaluable because the other three No. 1 seeds are not nearly as experienced as the Gators. I also think the Midwest region shapes up to be a pretty easy route for the Gators; I look for them to cruise into the Georgia Dome for the Final Four.

4. The Pitt women’s basketball team, who is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance, will win at least one tournament game.

NL: Fiction. the Panthers are an inexperienced team when it comes to tournament play, and it showed at the Big East Tournament. They won their first game convincingly, but in their second game, poor decision making and a lack of shooting hurt the Panthers against Marquette. Although they are playing at the Pete, Agnus Berenato and her team will need to show up and play their A-game if they hope to advance, and I don’t see it with their lack of experience.

DT: Fact. While the No. 8 vs. No. 9 game is typically a tough draw, I’d have to give Berenato’s bunch the edge because they’re in the friendly confines of the Pete. Anytime a team gets a home game in the tournament, you have to like its chances. Berenato has turned this program around and will definitely have her team ready to play this weekend. Whether they can get past head coach Pat Summitt and No. 1 seed Tennessee remains to be seen, but I definitely think we’ll see the Panthers survive at least to the round of 32.