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Prospects fill their brackets, predict Final Four, national champs

Duke and North Carolina are both in the conversation as NCAA title contenders.
Duke and North Carolina are both in the conversation as NCAA title contenders. (AP Images)

We're just hours away from the best three weeks on the college basketball calendar and predictions from various sites and writers are plastered all over the internet. Instead of giving our own personal views about what might transpire, we reached out to the future of the game and asked them who they see making the Final Four and cutting down the nets.

MORE: Five players in the spotlight as NCAA tourney begins

RANKINGS: 2018 Rivals150 | 2019 Rivals150 | 2020 Rivals150 | 2018 Team | 2018 Position

DUKE COMMIT AND TOP 30 JUNIOR JOEY BAKER 

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Final Four:Arizona, Duke, Villanova and Xavier.”

Champion: “Duke. They're the most talented team in the country with one of the best coaches ever. I think that Grayson (Allen) steps up and the freshmen play great.”

FOUR-STAR SOPHOMORE TERRANCE WILLIAMS 

Final Four:Virginia, Xavier, Villanova and Michigan State.”

Champion: “Virginia, because they defend very well, can score the ball and they play as a team. Coming off of the ACC Tournament win, they will have momentum going for them.”

UCONN COMMIT AND RIVALS150 SENIOR EMMITT MATTHEWS

Final Four: Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke and Villanova.”

Champion: “Duke is winning it all because I just like feel like it is their year because of its bigs that can help their guards.”

RIVALS150 JUNIOR MAXWELL LORCA-LLOYD 

Final Four: UNC, Virginia, Villanova and Kansas.”

Champion: “I have UNC winning it because Joel Berry is going to lead them to another championship.”

FIVE-STAR JUNIOR ARMANDO BACOT 

Final Four: Arizona, UNC, West Virginia and Duke.”

Champion: “Arizona, because of DeAndre Ayton. He is playing at a high level right now and they have been on fire their last three games.”

TEXAS COMMIT AND RIVALS150 SENIOR JAXSON HAYES 

Final Four: Texas, UNC, West Virginia and Duke.”

Champion: “(I have) Texas winning it all because they are the best team.”

RIVALS150 FOUR-STAR JUNIOR D.J. CARTON 

Final Four: Virginia, Michigan, Kansas and Villanova.”

Champion: “I have Virginia winning it all, mainly because they are the best team in the country and are very consistent and lock down on defense.”

FOUR-STAR SOPHOMORE JABRI ADBUR-RAHIM

Final Four: Arizona, Duke, Villanova and UNC.”

Champion: “I have Duke winning it all because of their depth and mainly because no one in the country can stop Marvin Bagley.”

RIVALS150 JUNIOR HARLOND BEVERLY 

Final Four: Arizona, Xavier, Villanova and Michigan State.”

Champion: “I have Villanova winning it all because of Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges.”

FIVE-STAR SOPHOMORE HUNTER DICKINSON 

Final Four: Arizona, UNC, Villanova and Michigan State.”

Champion: “Michigan State, because they have the best blend of experience and talent, along with a great coach.”

FOUR-STAR SOPHOMORE ETHAN MORTON 

Final Four: Virginia, Purdue, Michigan and Kansas.”

Champion: “I have Michigan winning because they were really hot finishing out the Big Ten Tournament and I really like the matchups they will create with their bigs that are versatile and the guards that can shoot and create.”

FIVE-STAR JUNIOR WENDELL MOORE 

Final Four: Arizona, UNC, Kansas, Villanova.”

Champion: “I have Arizona winning it all because they are playing well right now and they have a mix of stars and veterans.”

ALABAMA COMMIT AND RIVALS150 SENIOR JARED BUTLER 

Final Four: Alabama, Michigan, UNC and Virginia.”

Champion: “I have Alabama winning it all because they have all the right pieces to win the tournament: size, great guards, athleticism and a great coach.”

RIVALS150 JUNIOR PAUL MULCAHY

Final Four: Arizona, Xavier, Kansas and Villanova.”

Champion: “I think Kansas will win it all because they have great guard play, they have been tested within the Big 12, which is no joke, their big men are legit and they have shooters that can get hot at any moment.”

VANDERBILT COMMIT AND RIVALS150 WING AARON NESMITH 

Final Four: Arizona, Michigan, Villanova and Kansas.”

Champion: “I have Michigan winning just because they play such solid basketball as a team.”

NOTRE DAME COMMIT AND RIVALS150 WING ROBBY CARMODY 

Final Four: Cincinnati, Michigan, Villanova and Michigan State.”

Champion: “I have Michigan State winning it all because they have a little bit of everything: good guards, a good post and are tough on defense.”

TEXAS COMMIT AND RIVALS150 SENIOR KAMAKA HEPA

Final Four: Gonzaga, Arizona, Villanova, and Duke.”

Champion: “I have Villanova taking it because they've been one of the very few consistent teams this year. They also have experience in the tourney, along with Jalen Brunson running the team and winning MVP of the tourney.”

National Champion Poll
Team Votes

Duke

3

Virginia

2

Arizona

2

Villanova

2

Michigan State

2

Michigan

2

North Carolina

1

Texas

1

Kansas

1

Alabama

1

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