Our picks for the Final Four

March is always a crazy time for college basketball fans everywhere. Many people (myself included) sit by and watch their brackets bust on last second shots (such as the one by Western Kentucky's Ty Roberts) or pure upsets (like San Diego State shocking UCONN at the St. Pete Times Forum today).

The Oracle sports staff, however, is hoping to find some order in the chaos that is the NCAA Tournament. Here are the Staff picks for the Final Four:

Joe Rienzi, Sports Editor:

I've always enjoyed seeing upsets, which is why I love March Madness. My Final Four consists of some teams that people expect to be there, and some that maybe don't belong.

Louisville over Georgetown: Two foes from one of the toughest conferences in the nation battle for a spot in the National Championship game. Rick Pitino has the experience, and his team has the skills to get past the Hoyas for a spot in the title game.

UCLA over Texas: Texas has beaten Memphis once this season, and they will do it again in the Elite Eight. I just don't think Texas has what it takes to get past the Bruins.

National Championship: UCLA 79, Louisville 72: I was bold by picking a score, but I just had to try. I think that Kevin Love will emerge as a star, and carry UCLA to the 'Promised Land'.

Aaron Oberlin, Asst. Sports Editor:

My picks for the Final Four: Georgetown, North Carolina, UCLA, Texas.

Martin Bater, Staff Writer:

Final Four:
N. Carolina 85- Kansas 87
Pittsburgh 83-Duke 73

Championship:
Pittsburgh 80-N. Carolina 76

Carrie Johnson, Staff Writer:
Tennessee: Despite losing in the SEC championship tournament, Tennessee has a legitimate chance of making it to the final four. Tennessee is the only team to defeat Memphis in the regular season. Tennessee’s guard Chris Lofton leads the Vols in scoring of 16.1 points per game. With a strong defense and depth, Tennessee has all the components to pull an upset against No. 1 North Carolina in the Elite 8 to advance to the final four and possible championship game.

Georgetown: The regular season Big East champion Hoyas has a legitimate chance to make it to the final four. Georgetown playmakers Roy Hibbert, DaJuan Summers, and Jonathon Wallace lead the team in scoring averaging double digit points every game and are a few of the reasons the Hoyas have had success in the Big East. Georgetown’s defense will be tested going up against No. 1 Kansas, who averages 81 points per game, and 40% in 3-point field goals this season, in their quest to the championship.

Texas: Texas guard D.J. Augustine is the reason why they will make it to the final four. Augustine averages almost 20 points per game. When Augustine is on his game, it is tough to defeat the Longhorns. Some people thought that Texas wouldn’t be the same since Kevin Durant left to go to the NBA after his record-breaking freshman season. However, Texas went 28-6 during the regular season.

Despite Memphis being No. 1 in the South Bracket, Memphis has failed to deliver in big time games against big time opponents, one of which was to then No. 2 Tennessee where the Tigers lost the game that went down to the wire, going just 8-17 from the free throw line. Poor free throw shooting will be the downfall of the Tigers in the tournament, advancing Texas to the final four.

UCLA: The sole No.1 seed going to the final four is UCLA. Despite losing in the championship game two years ago and in the final four last year both to Florida. Since the Gators are not in the tournament, the Bruins will finally make it over the hill and win their 12th national title. UCLA has relied on freshman center Kevin Love to attain a 31-3 record in the Pac-10. Love averages 17 points and 10 rebounds per game. UCLA’s road to the final four won’t be as difficult as the road for other No.1 seeds. Xavier might give UCLA a hard time, but I think they'll will find a way to get it done and win the championship.

Gotta love the maddness!

Any comments? How about your picks? Let us know what you think.