Speacial Edition: AL West

1. Los Angles Angels 97-65 Key Additions: DH Hideki Matsui, RP Fernando Rodney
No team has dominated a division as much as the Angels have the last couple of years. But, the Angels have to regroup after losing Jon Lackey and Vladimir Guerrero, two of the keys to the Angles success. They still have experienced Torii Hunter and Bobby Abreu in the outfield though. But to keep the Mariners or Rangers from winning the AL West they need a true number one starter.
2. Texas Rangers 87-75 Key Additions: DH Vladimir Guerrero, SP Rich Harden
One of the best offensive teams in '08 the Rangers didn't quite match it in '09. So they added Vladimir Guerrero who now has become a fulltime DH. The Rangers also have Josh Hamilton, Michael Young and Ian Kinsler all offensive skilled players. They added Rich Harden to improve their okay pitching staff.
3. Seattle Mariners 85-77 Key Additions: SP Cliff Lee, 3B Chone Figgins
Expectations are high in Seattle after they added former Cy Young winner Cliff Lee and talented third basemen Chone Figgins. Also, they added Milton Bradley, after a misrable one year stint with the Cubs. With Lee, the Mariners also have Felix Hernandez too make the most effective 1-2 pitching punch in the American League. So, on paper the Mariners look like a playoff team but the Angels and Rangers are just too good.
4. Oakland Athletics 75-87 Key Additions: SP Ben Sheets, 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff
Oakland added Orlando Cabrera, Jason Giambi and Matt Holliday last season. Now, none of them are on the A's roster. But, the A's added Ben Sheets which makes them a little more experienced in the staff. Kevin Kouzmanoff arrives from San Diego and matches what the A's like: young and talented.

Predicted Records: Los Angeles, 90-72, Texas, 88-74, Seattle, 85-77, Oakland, 77-85

Butler Beats Michigan State In Final Four

In one of the most surprising Final Four matchups the Butler Bulldogs took on Michigan State. Butler's Gordon Hayward scored 19 points and had 9 rebounds as Butler beat the slight favorite Michigan State 52-50. Butler's Shelvin Mack also had 14 points. The Spartans were led by Durrell Summers who had 14 points and 10 rebounds but it still wasn't enough. Butler advances to their first national championship in school history.

Speacial Edition: AL Central

1. Minnesota Twins 87-76 Key Additions: 2B Orlando Hudson, DH Jim Thome
The last two seasons the Twins have had to play in a one-game playoff to decide the AL Central. This season, they look to make it a little easier for themselves. Second basemen Orlando Hudson played great in Los Angeles last season. And then their is Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, two of the best players in the AL Central. Mauer will look to gain back to back AL MVP honors.
2. Detroit Tigers 86-77 Key Additions: LF Johny Damon, CF Austin Jackson
Bye bye Curtis Granderson. Bye bye Placido Polanco. Hello, Austin Jackson and Johny Damon. The Tigers traded Granderson to the Yankees in order to gain Jakcson, who has potential. Max Scherzer arrives from the D-Backs. He will help take some off the weight off Justin Verlander who went 19-9 last season and had 269 strikeouts.
3. Cleveland Indians 65-97 Key Additons: LF Austin Kearns, C Mike Redmond
Sure, the Indians finished tied for last place in the AL Central last season. And sure the Indians struggled to make a big addition. But hope is in the air in Cleveland. Grady Sizemore is healthy and will team up with underrated Shin-Soo Choo in the outfield. Matt LaPorta is the Indians young first basemen. The biggest problem for the Inidans is the weak pitching staff. Jake Westbrook is scheduled to be the Indians number one.
4. Chicago White Sox 79-83 Key Additions: LF Juan Pierre, 3B Mark Teahen
Chicago needs more Gordon Beckhams. Or maybe Alexei Ramirezs. Young but talented players that are the future of the White Sox. Last seasons addition of Jake Peavy will help the pitching staff alot but the only other relatively close to all-star pitcher on the Sox is Mark Buehrle. The Sox added versatile Mark Teahen and speedy left fielder Juan Pierre to help on defense and offense.
5. Kansas City Royals 65-97 Key Additions: CF Rick Ankiel, C Jason Kendall
The breakout of all the young stars in Kansas City is almost here. Last season we saw Zack Greinke dominate winning the AL Cy Young award. We also saw Billy Butler hit 21 homers and drive in 93 runs. This winter, the Royals signed veterans Jason Kendall, Rick Ankiel and Scott Podsednik to teach the young players. But the Royals will not get out of the cellar unless some sort of miracle.

Predicted Records, Minnesota,89-73, Detroit, 82-80, Cleveland, 76-86, Chicago, 75-87, Kansas City, 66-96

SE: AL East

1. New York Yankees 103-59 Key Additions: CF Curtis Granderson, DH Nick Johnson
The former champs return most of the 2008-2009 team. Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira return. The Yankees also added former Tiger Curtis Granderson, a speedy player that can also hit with some power (30 home runs last season). The pitching staff is led by the 1-2 punch of C.C Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. Mariano Rivera will close games.
2. Boston Red Sox 95-67 Key Additions: 3B Adrian Beltre, SP Jon Lackey
Boston signed vets Adrian Beltre and Jon Lackey showing that they want to win the AL and the World Series. Jacoby Ellsbury is young and talented along with Dustin Pedroia. The Sox need David Ortiz to return to form if they want to make a true run come October.
3. Tampa Bay Rays 84-78 Key Additions: RP Rafael Soriano
After a dream 2007-2008 season the Rays pulled out as an average AL team last season. The Rays said good bye to second basemen Akinori Iwamura and replaced him with rookie Sean Rodriguez replacing him. But, they still have young stars like Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton and Carlos Pena. Ben Zobrist played seven positions last season and made an all-star appearance. The bullpen was buffed up by the signing of Rafael Soriano.
4. Baltimore Orioles 64-98 Key Additions: 3B Miguel Tejada, 1B Garrett Atkins
Baltimore would like to forget last season's 98 losses. There is hope with talented catcher Matt Wieters, and an underrated outfield led by Nick Markakis and Adam Jones. The pitching staff got a lot skilled and experienced by the signing of Kevin Millwood.
5. Toronto Blue Jays 75-87 Key Additions: RP Kevin Gregg, C John Buck
The Blue Jays had one of the off seasons people will talk about for a while. They traded off all-star pitcher Roy Halladay to the Phillies and replaced him with untested Ricky Romero. After last season, in which the Jays moved Scott Rolen and Alex Rios away the team is left with Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista. Needless to say, the Jays only chance of winning the AL East is if all of the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays stars get injured. Yeah, that puts their chances in perceptive.
Predicted Records: New York, 99-63, Red Sox, 95-67, Tampa Bay, 90-72, Baltimore, 75-87, Toronto, 66-96.

Final Four Prediction: West Virginia vs. Duke

1 Duke vs. 2 West Virginia Da'Sean Butler will lead the Mountaineers.
This is a battle of two of the better teams in college basketball history. West Virginia played great basketball all season, staying alive in the Big East and have beat teams like a surprisingly strong Washington team and the 1 seed Kentucky. Devin Ebanks has played great all season notching point after point and rebound after rebound while Da'Sean Butler is great in the clutch. And, they might need him. The Blue Devils are always a Jon Scheyer or Nolan Smith or Kyle Singler team. But, late in the season big man Brian Zoubek has come on scoring off the bench or starting. My prediction: West Virginia beats the Blue Devils 75-72.

Final Four Prediction: Michigan State vs. Butler

I bet nobody could have predicted this Final Four match up. Tom Izzo's Spartans are in the Final Four while Butler has peaked at the right time after winning 20 straight games to end the regular season they have already beat the 1 seeded Syracuse Orange and 2 seeded Kansas State Wildcats. The Bulldogs are led by forward Gordon Hayward who is strong inside but can also shoot. Matt Howard and Ronald Nored are under the radar players who can hurt the Spartans. Michigan State's Kalin Lucas can score and dish out assists. Durrell Summers can shoot consistently also. The only problem for the Spartans is they need a consistent scorer in the post. My prediction: Spartans head to second National Championship in two years with 77-73 win over the Bulldogs.

Syracuse Handles Gonzaga Without A Problem

The No. 1 seed Syracuse easily handled No. 8 Gonzaga 87-65 earlier today. The Orange were hoping not to become another Kansas who lost last night. The Orange were led by Wes Johnson who scored 31 points and had 14 boards. Gonzaga ends the season 27-7 and will lose Matt Bouldin next season. Elias Harris is a bright spot. Syracuse will get No. 5 Butler in the Sweet 16.

More Key Second Round Predictions

No. 5 Michigan State vs. No. 4 Maryland
Michigan State struggled in the first round escaping past No. 12 New Mexico State by three well Maryland beat C-USA champs Houston by 12. Grevis Vasquez is probably the best player on the court as he can drive but has a fantastic shot. Michigan State needs Durrell Summers shooting and Kalin Lucas needs the same game as he did in the first round if the Spartans have a chance. My prediction: Maryland, 73-65.

No. 1 Syracuse vs. No. 8 Gonzaga
When a Big East power against a mid major power you know it's going to be good. Gonzaga must need a good game from either Matt Bouldin or Elias Harris to win and must solve the Orange's 2-3 zone. Syracuse isn't a fantastic offensive team but does fine led by Andy Rautins and Wes Johnson. My prediction: Syracuse moves on to Sweet 16 by shutting down Bulldogs' offense, 73-60.

No. 3 Pitt vs. No. 6 Xavier
In the first round, Xavier beat down Minnesota well Pitt took down Oakland. Pitt is a strong Big East squad led by Ashton Gibbs and Jermaine Dixon well Xavier needs Jordon Crawford to play like he did in the first round to win, in which he scored 28 points. My prediction: Pitt escapes 80-75.

Butler Beats Murray State, No. 2 Seed Falls

No. 5 Butler entered a second round matchup against No. 13 Murray State knowing the Racers had a lot of momentum after beating No. 4 Vanderbilt. Gordon Hayward scored 12 points and had 7 boards well the Racers' were led by Isiah Canaan who had 14 points. The Racers led at half 38-37 but late in the game with the score 54-52 Butler's big man Matt Howard missed a free throw giving the Racers a chance to win with a three. Gordon Hayward made a steal to end the game and the Bulldogs escaped 54-52.

The Villanova Wildcats struggled in the first round against the 15 seed Robert Morris and only won by three. Next, they got an underrated Saint Mary's team who won the WCC. The Gaels big man Omar Samhan dominated scoring 32 points and 7 boards in the upset of Villanova, 75-68.

Key Second Round Game Previews

No. 5 Butler vs. No. 13 Murray State
Obviously, the big question in this one is will Murray State's run continue? Butler has been on a roll lately and flew past UTEP in the first round. Gordon Hayward is talented a big man that can shoot effectively. Shelvin Mack scored 25 points against the Miners and hopes to follow it up. For the Racers, Isaac Miles had 17 points and 6 rebounds in the upset of Vanderbilt, 66-65. My prediction: Racers will not go any father as Hayward scores 20 in a 70-63 win for the Bulldogs.
No. 3 Baylor vs. No. 11 Old Dominion
Old Dominion scooted past the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame in the first round, 51-50 but the next step is even tougher a game against Baylor. Sam Houston State gave the Bears a run for their money until Ekpe Udoh roared for a double-double in a 68-59 win. Old Dominion will get their second skilled man in the post after shutting down Harangody in Udoh and will also have to watch out for sharpshooter LaceDarius Dunn. Old Dominion's key to win is Frank Hassell who notched 15 points and 9 rebounds in the win against Notre Dame. My prediction: Udoh and Dunn are too much, Baylor wins 73-65.
No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 9 Wake Forest
Kentucky's freshman duo of John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins now must clash with the Demon Deacons' Al-Farouq Aminu and Ishmael Smith, after an easy first round game against East Tennessee State. Wall and Cousins aren't just the two biggest problems for Wake so is underrated Patrick Patterson who had 22 points in the route of the Buccaners. Eric Bledsoe is yet another option for the Wildcats who had 29 points in the win. The Deacons Aminu had 20 points though in the overtime win over Texas. My prediction: Kentucky and Wall roll to the Sweet 16 with a 84-68 win.
No. 7 BYU vs. No. 2 Kansas State
BYU was one of the biggest surprises so far this season and handled Florida in a close first round game. Jimmer Fredette led the Cougars with 37 against the Gators. He'll have to face the Wildcats guard combo of Denis Clemente and Jacob Pullen. Both teams lack a force inside so it will come down to whoever shots the ball better. My prediction: BYU and Kansas State go back an forth until Pullen goes on a run and the Wildcats win in a close one 79-75.