Dan Gartland, Executive Sports Editor

Final Four: Saint Louis, VCU, Gonzaga, Indiana

Champion: Indiana

Before the brackets came out, I thought Saint Louis would make the Final Four, and Louisville would win the championship. With the Cardinals and Billikens in the same region, something has to give. In the end, I like Saint Louis to go all the way to the championship game.

The Billikens shoot the ball well from the outside, and junior forward Dwayne Evans is one of the best low-post scorers in the country, thanks in large part to the fact that junior forward Rob Loe is a great high-post passer. The 6’5” Evans might struggle in a potential Elite Eight matchup against Louisville’s Gorgui Dieng, who is six inches taller and an excellent shot blocker. Still, Saint Louis has plenty of veterans and a very strong defense, which will make the Billikens a tough out.

VCU’s performance against Saint Louis in Sunday’s Atlantic 10 Championship also impressed me. I think the Rams’ high-pressure style makes them a lock to get past a young Michigan team in the second round and could possibly make it all the way to the Final Four.

I don’t really like anyone in the West region (top four seeds: Gonzaga, Ohio State, New Mexico and Kansas State). Gonzaga is just as likely to win that region as eighth-seeded Pittsburgh or seventh-seeded Notre Dame. As of right now, I have the Zags advancing to Atlanta, but I may very well change that pick to the Irish.

Indiana is my champion, coming out of the East region. I love Cody Zeller and Victor Oladipo, not to mention Jordan Hulls and Christian Watford. The Hoosiers are talented and experienced, and are playing in a relatively weak region. The other top seeds (Miami, Marquette and Syracuse) aren’t terribly frightening. The tournament this year is wide open, but the Hoosiers might be the closest thing to a favorite.

Matt Rosenfeld, Sports Editor

Final Four: Michigan State, Indiana, Ohio State and Michigan

Champion: Indiana

Remember a few years ago, when the prevailing notion was to not pick against a Big East team because that conference was so superior to all the others? It never worked out; it was stupid logic. I know because I used to abide by it. Obviously the Big East is no longer the power that it was, but that doesn’t mean I can’t revert back to my old ways.

I am a Michigan fan. That being the case, I’ve watched far more Big Ten basketball than any New Jersey native/current New York City resident should. I know siding with a conference didn’t work in the past, but I can’t help but think the Big Ten will produce the champion this year. I firmly believe that any of the top five teams in the conference (Indiana, Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan or Wisconsin) could win this tournament.

And so I present my all-Big Ten Final Four. Michigan State will come out of the Midwest Regional. Tom Izzo and his Spartans are always a tough out in March. Ohio State, coming off a Big Ten Tournament title, will be the winners of the West. Top-seeded Indiana is probably the most consistent team all year; I will take them out of the East. Finally, because I’m biased, and because I seriously think Trey Burke is the best player in the NCAA, Michigan will come out of the South.

Michigan State and Indiana will move on to the championship game where Indiana will win and be our 2013 champions.

Max Prinz, Assistant Sports Editor

Final Four: Louisville, Ohio State, Georgetown, Indiana

Champion: Indiana

Before the bracket was revealed Sunday night, Charles Barkley made the point that to win the tournament this year you need great players. It’s a kind of obvious point, but one that is very true this year. With no dominant team and so many upsets all season long, team chemistry becomes a little less important in the tournament. Teams are so evenly matched that the stars will have to step up if teams want to advance.

My final four teams all have truly great players. For the Cardinals, Peyton Siva and Russ Smith lead a dangerous team that no one enjoys playing. They provide poise and leadership in executing Rick Pitino’s famed pressure defense. Ohio State has the best on ball defender in the nation in Aaron Craft and one of the nation’s best scorers in Deshaun Thomas. They have faced many top teams and know how to win ugly. Georgetown is a strong Big East-tested team. They have the best all-around player in the country in Otto Porter, who can both score and lead the Hoyas on defense. Tom Crean’s Indiana team boasts perhaps the most talented roster in the country. Two National Player of the Year candidates, Cody Zeller and Victor Oladipo, lead a Hoosiers team that has wins over Michigan State, Georgetown and Ohio State.

The NCAA tournament is the birthplace of stars. Great players have the perfect opportunity to make a name for themselves. If teams want to go far in this tournament, they will have to rely on their stars. There are a ton of great teams in this tournament, perhaps more than ever before, but only a handful of great players. Sir Charles is right: It will be the great players that take teams far in this tournament.