Posted on 3/10/2008 4:55:55 PM

NCAA Basketball Betting Power Rankings - Elite Eight Not Decided

By D.S. Williamson

Even with the conference tournaments coming up, it is easy to envision who the top-four seeds will be in this years’ NCAA Tournament. Thinking about where the top teams will be seeded is absolutely essential in getting a leg-up on the competition in BetUS’s march Madness contests as well as finding those diamond’s in the rough - - the teams that can potentially cause huge upsets.

Because of that, I’ve come up with Elite Eight rankings. This is the Elite Eight in my eyes. This Elite Eight are the eight teams I believe will coast through the early rounds of the tournament until - - well, until they get to the Elite Eight. The top four teams in my Elite Eight are not who I believe will get the top four seeds in the tournament.

Elite Eight Teams

1. UCLA - - Even though they needed a miracle to get past Cal in their last, they are the obvious quality team in the West. They should have no problems in the NCAA Tournament unless one of their top players gets hurt in the Pac-10 Tournament.

2. North Carolina - - A healthy Ty Lawson makes a huge difference for this team. They should have beaten Duke by more then they did on Saturday. They’ve got a terrific inside/out game and excellent coaching. They too should coast into the Elite Eight.

3. Wisconsin - - Quietly started making their presence felt towards the end of the season. Their defense is awesome and they are battle-tested. This team should make a big run to the Elite Eight and probably get themselves into the Final Four.

4. Louisville - - Better than last year, more disciplined, expertly coached - - this is the Big East team that everybody fears because Rick Pitino is a master motivator and these guys know that they should have beaten Georgetown in their last.

5. Georgetown - - If they stay away from Louisville early, they are easily into the Elite Eight. Nobody plays defense like Georgetown. Nobody has their heart either.

6. Texas - - Out of Kansas and Texas I like Texas a bit more. But I have to admit that after Georgetown at number five, I’m sort of iffy on these last three teams. Why? I just don’t feel that any of them have what it takes to go all the way. Still, Texas is coached by a master - - Rick Barnes - - and they are also battle-tested. The loss to Texas Tech doesn’t bother me.

7. Memphis - - I have to put them someplace. I still think they are the likeliest number one seed to fall in this years’ tournament, but they will be the absolute number one seed which means it probably won’t happen until the Elite Eight. Once they get to the Elite Eight they will run up against a Wisconsin, Louisville, or Georgetown. That spells disaster for them.

8. Tennessee - - I like the Volunteers this year because Bruce Pearl will refuse to let them lose. I don’t like them because they played in the SEC. I do like them to make the Elite Eight because they will get a favorable seed, probably a number one, and coast until their Elite Eight game. I don’t like them to make the Final Four because I just don’t think they have what it takes to beat some of the other teams on this list.

** What Happened To…

Duke - - The Blue Devils could easily lose in the second round. They don’t have a bench and are soft in the middle. They play with a lot of heart, but heart won’t matter when guys are running by you and dunking at will.

Kansas - - I love Kansas but historically they always stub their toe in the tournament. What’s going to change this year? Nothing.

Stanford - - Two gigantic men who like to read Disney comic books? Okay, maybe I am biased. Yeah, I am. Dude, I can’t see a team led by guys named Robin and Brook taking a team into the Elite Eight. I just can’t.

Michigan State - - If there were an Elite Nine, then Michigan State would be that ninth team. Just because Tom Izzo is a genius. Just because Drew Neitzel is underrated. I do like this team, but there is no such thing as an Elite Nine. There’s only an Elite Eight. Too bad for the Spartans.

Remember that the BetUS March Madness brackets go live on March 16th!

Go to the BetUS.com online sportsbook today to bet on NCAA basketball. We have the most current NCAA basketball odds and lines, as well as player and game props. Join BetUS.com to experience the best in online sports betting action!