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Michael Robinson started his journalism career covering Wisconsin Badgers football and basketball. He has since taken his talents around the globe, writing for Maxim Magazine Online, Football.com, Rotoworld.com, and VIP Sports.

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Elite Eight Opener - March 25, 2006

The NCAA tournament is down to the Elite Eight, with the last four teams gaining entry last night. Villanova defeated Boston College, Connecticut outlasted Washington, Florida beat Georgetown, and George Mason downed Wichita State. The madness continues today with two games.

By Michael Robinson

Elite Eight Wager Now: UCLA (+3) Memphis

This is a one seed in Memphis versus a two seed in UCLA.

This is the only match-up in the Elite Eight where a number one and two are meeting up. Out of the four number one seeds (Duke, Memphis, Villanova and Connecticut) Memphis was the team that most office pool aficionados had being knocked out first.

Turns out, Memphis (33-3) is playing almost as well as their record would indicate. Their three wins in the tournament so far have each been by exactly 16 points. Granted, the highest seed they have faced is nine seed Bucknell, but they are taking care of business in a big way.

UCLA (30-6) is coming off a dramatic 73-71 comeback win over Gonzaga on Thursday night. That is after beating Alabama in the last round by just three points.

UCLA had has great production from their “Big Three” of Jordan Farmar, Aaron Afflalo, and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. Senior center, Ryan Hollins has also stepped up his game scoring in double digits in six of his last seven games.

The feeling here is that Memphis just has too much depth and too many good athletes for the Bruins. That factor, along with UCLA still being emotionally drained from Thursday’s win, will be enough to send Memphis to the Final Four.

Elite Eight Wager Now: LSU (+3) Texas

This is a two seed in Texas versus a four seed in LSU.

LSU (26-8) is coming off one of the biggest wins in school history, a 62-54 victory over Duke. Anytime you beat a storied franchise like Duke in the NCAA tournament it’s a big deal. Add in the fact that they are one game away from their first final since 1986, and you can see why they are going crazy in Baton Rouge.

LSU has been paced by their two big men, “Big Baby” Davis and Tyrus Thomas. Two supporting cast members, Darrell Mitchell and Tasmin Mitchell have also stepped up. Those four led the charge against Duke by out-rebounding them and playing great team defense. It also didn’t hurt that J.J Redick shot only 3-18 from the field.

Texas is 30-6 and has to be happy that they are not playing Duke in this game. LSU is a tough match-up for them as well, but Duke had beat them by 31 points earlier in the year.

Texas does have the big men in LaMarcus Aldridge, Brad Buckman and P.J Tucker to battle the Tigers, although Buckman has been struggling offensively. Texas hasn’t always played that great this year when matching up against quality opponents, and LSU certainly falls into that category

There is a lot of pressure on point guard Daniel Gibson in this game after scoring just three points against West Virginia. If Gibson does not have a good game, LSU is in the Final Four.

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