As is our yearly tradition, we here at The Northern Star are pleased and excited to give you, the public, our staff prognostications for the NCAA Final Four. These predictions come straight from the writers’ pens, so to speak. Read them, debate them and see them fall flat this weekend.

Kari Brackett, sports reporter: I just want to tell all those creeps who yelled at me last year that I correctly picked Indiana as the champs, so leave me alone. I have a sixth-sense about this year’s NCAA tourney. Kansas is a good team, but Duke is even better. The game between Oklahoma and Arizona will be a tight match, but Arizona’s Sean Elliott will play extremely hard for an Arizona win. I would like to say Arizona will win the title, but I have to go with the Devils winning the crown.

Dave Duschene, Editor: Once again, Joey Meyer’s DePaul Blue Demons let me down, losing to Jeff Kirik’s flukey, strike-while-the-tournament-is-hot K-State squad of nobodies. I had to laugh when Kansas wiped up the floor with those losers. It made the five bucks Kirik took from me worth the while. So I bet you think I want Kansas to win it all. Not on your life. My team this year wears red—and it’s not the mighty NIU Huskies. Duke will beat Kansas and Oklahoma will have it easy with Duke after they show the world Arizona ain’t that good. Final score: OK 104, Duke 78.

Jeff Kirik, Assistant Sports Editor: First of all, Dave, Kansas State was no fluke. The only reason DePaul is so highly rated every year is because they have an easy schedule and they’re in the center of one the media capitals of the world. Second, there is “no way” the Sooners could beat Duke by 26 points.

After going through the embarrassment of picking Providence over UNLV last year, I know this year is my year. Duke is going to win a close game over Kansas, even though Danny Manning will give the Blue Devils fits in the paint. After Arizona outfundamentals Oklahoma into submission, Duke will pull off the upset over the Wildcats. Key player to watch: Duke’s skywalker Robert Brickey.

Neil Jendon, photographer: Well, who’s playing? I haven’t been keeping track because all my attention was on the Olympic luge competition in Calgary. So, on that note, I pick East Germany.

Dan Moran, sports editor: Where would Americans be without the NCAA Tournament? Probably out in the fresh air getting some excercise. Arizona does it all. Cubs open Tuesday.

Chris Sigley, sports reporter: To be honest, I did not know what the Final Four was until my arrival at NIU last semester. But between the quality education at NIU and the know-it-all sports staff at the Star, I feel I am ready to make a decision.

I once knew a guy who went to Oklahoma, and he sat in a class next to Brian Bosworth (yes, I’m aware he played football and not b-ball). Therefore, I pick Oklahoma not only to beat Arizona, but to beat a worn-out Duke that will slip past Kansas. The score for the title? 85-67.