As is ritual, Golfweek
senior writer Ron Balicki sets the odds for all 30 teams in next week’s NCAA Championship, which begins May 28 at Purdue’s Kampen Course...Best Bets (5-1):Alabama – Don’t let 6th at Central Regional fool you; Tide won six times this season and are solid top to bottom.
Georgia – Bulldogs have what it takes to win it all and if they play like they did at East Regional everyone else will be vying for second.
Oklahoma State – Kevin Tway and Trent Leon have come on strong to complement Rickie Fowler and that makes Cowboys a major threat.
UCLA – Bruins looking to get back to fall form when they won three events and this just might be the time they do it.
USC – West Regional champs have finished first in four of last six starts and were second (lost playoff) at Pac-10s.
Leading Challengers (8-1):Charlotte – 49ers need to get back to playing like they did in the fall when they won 4 times, including Preview at Purdue course.
Florida – Gators’ only win this season came at home; Billy Horschel is going to have to kick his game into high gear.
Stanford – Defending NCAA champs really haven’t put it all together, but still have what it takes to become first repeat winner since 1984-85.
Texas A&M – Aggies a leading challenger? They could be if they get everyone working in sync.
Wake Forest – Demon Deacons out to prove victory at Central Regional was no fluke.
Don’t Count ‘Em Out (12-1):
Arizona State – Which Sun Devil team will show up? The Pac-10 champions or the ones that finished 16th at Isleworth?
Auburn – Talented Tigers have kept a low profile all season, but that could change at any time.
Clemson – Four 2nds, but no wins; could these Tigers be saving their best for the final dance?
East Tennessee St. – Bucs are Jeykll & Hyde team of the season; five top 5s, but four times 10th or worse.
UAB – If Zach Sucher can get some help, the Conference-USA champions may surprise a few folks.
If They Have A Hot Week (25-1):Augusta State – All but written off late in season, Jaguars are on a roll with a 3rd and two 2nds – including East Regional – in last three starts.
Indiana – Hoosiers have had a solid season and should feel quite comfortable playing in their home state.
Kent State – Historically, Golden Flashes play their best on tough courses, and Purdue’s layout falls into this category.
Louisville – As long as twins Derek and Daryl Fathauer can carry the bulk of the load, Cardinals can pose a challenge.
Texas – Longhorns had to survive playoff to get in and will need to play like they did at Morris Williams (1st) and Big 12 (2nd).
If They Catch Lightning in a Bottle (50-1):Illinois – A 3rd at Central Regional showed Fighting Illlini have potential to make something happen.
Mississippi State – Bulldogs struggled at times in spring, but came back strong at SEC (5th) and East Regional (4th).
Oregon – Ducks had their best tournament of the season when it counted most, finishing 2nd at West Regional.
San Diego State – Aztecs are going to have to play better – and they can – than the three 7ths and a T-9 in their last four starts.
Washington – Seeded 21st in West, Huskies once again stepped up their game for the postseason.
Just Happy To Be in Indiana (75-1):Middle Tennessee State – Coach Whit Turnbow did great job with 5 wins and first trip to NCAA Finals.
Penn State – Nittany Lions finished 11th in Big 10, but got the job done after shooting the Central's best single-day score in Round 2.
St. Mary’s – Gaels making first road trip to NCAA Finals, so no matter what it’s been a memorable season.
UC-Irvine – Anteaters were a surprise with 3rd at East Regional, but do they have one more surprise left in them?
Virginia – Hopefully, Cavs didn’t leave everything at East Regional where they gave a gutsy performance the last day to gain the 10th and final spot.
Posted: 5/21/2008
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