ESPN.com - NCB - Final Four: It's wide open

After 65 teams, 61 games and two weeks of madness, it has come down to this. Four teams will meet at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis on Saturday with the winner advancing to Monday night's championship game.

We wanted you to tell us who you think will play for the national title on Monday. Here's what you had to say.

Favorites rule
There would be no surprise whoever wins because all the teams are deserving. However, all season, the most consistent teams have been Duke and Michigan State. Sure Arizona and Maryland are playing their best basketball and peaking now, but the other two programs thrive on this kind of challange. Given a whole week to prepare, Izzo and coach K will get it done.

Preston Kim
Glen Allen, Va.

Nobody but Duke
There is no question who's going to win. It's Duke. This is Battier's last hurrah, Boozer is back, and Williams is scoring (nearly) 30-plus points per game. Also, Duhon has been clutch. Point is that Duke cant be stopped. Blue Devils beats 'Zona in the final.

Christopher Sampson
Harrisonburg, Va.

Devils get third title
Duke will win the title on Monday. Maryland is just glad to be alive at this point. Arizona will out-talent Michigan State, but they don't have the willpower, cohesiveness and trust in one another that champions must have.

Dylan Hix
Tulsa, Okla.

Devils shoot down MSU
The championship game should, in my opinion, be all Duke. They are a fantastic team who can flat out shoot, and, from what I have seen, Michigan State might be able to hit the glass, but they sometimes have trouble putting the ball into the cylinder.

Nathan Sickle
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

How 'bout them Terps?
Maryland will beat Duke in their fourth meeting of the season. The Terps will take control in the first half, but Duke will start the second half with a run. Maryland will finish strong, fueled by desperation and desire to reach the first championship game in the school's history.

John Cunningham
Herndon, Va.

All about getting even
Every game that the Maryland has played against Duke has been a really close game. I think that they can shut Shane Battier down and the whole team down if they get rebounds, and STOP the fast breaks. It is Maryland's turn this time, Duke has won two games and the Terps have won one in head to head games this year. It's time to get even.

Jared
Albany, Ore.

Terps' time
Maryland vs. Arizona on Monday night. The Terps are the hottest team left in the tourney. They've beaten Duke before and they are emotionally ready for this game. The Devils-Terps game will definetely come down to the wire, but Gary Williams moves on.

Derek McAbee
Hagerstown, Md.

Hometown heroes
I admit to rooting for the local team, but I really like the Terps in Minneapolis. They will be playing with anger in Word War IV Saturday night against Duke, and they match up well with both 'Zona and MSU. This will be a great Final Four – talk about four heavyweights!

Tom Firey
Alexandria, Va.

Can you say repeat?
The Spartans will repeat. They have all the elements of a champion; a balanced offense, tenacious defense and they can out rebound any team in the nation. MSU is the most balanced team in the country and behind the superb coaching of Tom Izzo, the Spartans are due for the first repeat since Duke in the early 90's.

Steve Digsby
Milford, Mich.

Green is gold
The Spartans will take down the Wildcats with the suffocating defense that held down the Owls of Temple and the Zags. Charlie Bell has proved throughout the entire season that he is possibly the best defensive guard around. In the other semifinal, I think that Maryland will take down the Blue Devils. Duke lives and dies on the three-pointer. The Blue Devils are going to die against Maryland. The two teams have played close this entire season and I think that Maryland will get the best of Duke. In the final I have to go with the repeat. GO GREEN!

Chris Ming
East Lansing, Mich.

Cocky and confident: MSU will win it
Spartans rule. Period. Arizona is going down. And it doesn't matter who wins between Duke and Maryland. They're going down too. Go Green!

Ryan
East Lansing, Mich.

Back to back!
In one of the most exciting games in recent finals memory, the Spartans and the Blue Devils will battle in a game of epic proportion. The outcome of the matchup may come down to the two most brilliant coaches in the NCAA. The Spartans will conquer the Blue Devils by means of hustle, rebounding and superior defense. HEADLINES: Spartans, Back to Back!

Matt Vasher
Grand Rapids, Mich.

'Cats have beaten the best to get here
Arizona will play Duke for the national title. Arizona was tested on every aspect of their ballgame going against Eastern Illinois with their firepower, Ole Miss with their tenacious defense, and ultimately Illinois with their physical play and superior point-guard play. Considering that Michigan State has not been tested against quality foes as Arizona has, this game could be a lot more lopsided than most people think.

Inkwon Lee
Mesa, Ariz.

If UA plays team game, nets will be cut down
I think Arizona has all the weapons to win if they continue to play as they have been – as a team. They need to have each player on his game, otherwise it will be an early out against Michigan State. However, that being said, I don't see them settling for anything less than a championship. They are playing the best b'ball in the country right now, and for all the East Coast journalists out there, Arizona can play the crashing, hard-nosed ball that is needed to win championships. And most of all, Lute deserves the ring after the year he has undergone.

Burton Hathaway
Atlanta, Ga.

Do it for Bobbi!
It's the ARIZONA WILDCATS all the way. They have earned this one … This one is for Bobbi!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lynn Monka
San Diego, Calif.

Frontline domination
Arizona will be playing in the championship game against Duke because they are more talented than Michigan State. If Loren Woods has a good game like he did against Illinois and Gilbert Arenas scores and gets the other 'Cats involved in the offense the will beat Michigan State. Arizona is more athletic then Michigan State and will get outrebounded by Arizona with the big boys in Wright, Woods, and the high-flying Jefferson. They need good guard play from the sensational sophomore Jason Gardner, knocking down the 3-point baskets and penetrating.

Zach Olson
Owatonna, Minn.

Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories