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It’s the semi-finals of the NCAA Tournament this weekend, and to say that it’s been one of the best tournaments in living memory would be an understatement. Alex Ferguson previews the “Final Four”. Villanova Wildcats vs Oklahoma SoonersYoull see Oklahomas Buddy Hield, the best player in college basketball, and the Villanova team who have played beautiful, unselfish basketball throughout the year.Its not as though both sides are wildly underestimated - they were both given No 2 seeds, but Villanova had a history of disappointing, while no-one thought Oklahoma would be in the Final Four ahead of Kansas. Well….the critics were wrong. Hield has been the outstanding player of March Madness And Villanova have got there due to their excellent defence - they suffocated everyones favourites Kansas, beating them 64-59 in a classic. Oklahoma have advanced mainly because Hield has been hotter than fire lately, scoring 27, 36, 17 and 37 in his last four outings. And the 37? It was during Oklahomas big game against No 1-ranked Oregon in the Elite Eight, who they blew out 80-68.Hields excellent from three-point range, so Villanova had better be good at smothering him if they hope to continue.Also, look out for OUs Isaiah Cousins and Jordan Woodward, who can also kill opponents from three-point range. Josh Hart of the Villanova Wildcats shoots the ball On the other side of the court, you shouldnt laugh at Nova, though. They might not have a big-name scorer, but thats more design than bad luck. There are no egos on this team, Wildcats player Jalen Brunson told US TV outlet CSN Philadelphia. No-ones saying I want to get mine, no-ones like Ive got to get my stats.Everyones really out there playing for each other… Everyone that goes in or goes out has the same intensity on defense and in rebounding and thats really what matters most. And everyone had better be on tip-top shape against Hield & co!PREDICTION: Villanova are a 4/6 favourite with SkyBet after their Kansas win, and Oklahoma are an 11/10 underdog. Hield remains hot….Oklahoma win an upset.North Carolina Tar Heels vs Syracuse Orange Marcus Paige of the North Carolina Tar Heels shoots A lot of critics said about Syracuses entry to the NCAA Championship: They shouldnt even be there. And while the Oranges in-season record was ordinary at best (19-13), and reflected in their lowly 10th seed in the tournament, the team has very much shown they belong here.They scored a mega-upset over No 1 Virginia - a team who handled them easily in the regular season - in the Elite Eight to cement their spot in Houston, and suddenly, everyones thinking: Can they unseat North Carolina, who are playing brilliantly?Well, history says no - North Carolina have won both games the two teams have played this year by nine and five points respectively - and are a big favourite with Sky Bet (1/6) to win the third. Syracuse Orange have made the final four No-ones even come close to beating the Tar Heels in their four games thus far, with the Heels racking up double digit victories in every game.What Tar Heels coach Roy Williams has done brilliantly is not make the team dependent on one scorer. If you can stop one of the teams most outstanding players in Brice Johnson, whos averaging 21 points per game, then youll have to stop Marcus Paige or Kennedy Meeks. Yeah, good luck.Its been pointed out that this game will also match up two greats of the game in head coaches Jim Boeheim and Williams, but they should also point out that if Syracuse can score an upset, itll be the biggest upset since David beat that big guy Goliath.PREDICTION: Tar Heels roll. FINAL PREDICTION: Oklahoma beat North Carolina in a classic. Vapormax Plus White Cheap . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. Air Max Plus Tn Red . Despite the cost, effort and an improved steroid test, its possible that very few -- if any -- positives will be detected, Dr. Richard Budgett told The Associated Press in an interview. "We just dont know what the results from Torino will be," Budgett said. http://www.airmaxplusstoresale.com/air-max-plus-tn-cheap/tns-ultra-discount.html . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. Air Max Plus Tn Sale . - Chris Tierney snapped a tie with a power-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Erie Otters 5-3 in Ontario Hockey League action on Wednesday. Black Tns Sale . Scott won the Australian PGA last week in his first event in Australia since winning the U.S. Masters in April. American Matt Kuchar, ahead by two strokes with four to play and even with Scott with one to go, double-bogeyed the 18th after taking two shots to get out of a bunker. PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Los Angeles Clippers goal in their opener was to keep the Portland Trail Blazers from making 3-pointers.The strategy worked: Portland made just four of 18 attempts from the perimeter and the Clippers came away with a 114-106 victory Thursday night.Chris Paul said the Clippers had the luxury of being able to watch Portlands opener two days before.We just saw the clinic they put on at the 3-point line, so we just tried to make it tough on them and get them inside the line, said Paul, who had 27 points.Blake Griffin also had 27 points and added 13 rebounds in what was a contentious game that had fans booing the officials after two flagrant fouls called on Portland players in the fourth quarter. Chris Paul hit a 3-pointer that gave the Clippers a 102-90 lead with 4:07 left and the crowd headed for the exits.The Clippers were the last team in the Western Conference to start the season. Portland opened at home on Tuesday with a 113-104 victory over Utah that included 13 3-pointers.Damian Lillard led the Blazers against the Clippers with 29 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out late. His layup got the Blazers to 107-102 with 35.9 seconds left but the rally fell short.I just think we grew frustrated with the way some things went, Lillard said. When were in that situation weve probably got to do a better job of controlling what we can control.The teams last met in the opening round of the playoffs last season. Portland dropped the first two games of the series, but Paul broke his right hand and Griffin reinjured his left quadriceps tendon, and the Blazers won the next four to take the series. Portland would go on to fall to the Golden State Warriors in the conference semifinals.Jamal Crawford hit a 3-pointer that capped a 16-0 run to put the Clippers up 37-27. Griffins layup extended the lead to 49-38 with less than five minutes left in the first half. Paul made a 3 to end the half and the Clippers led 58-49.The game got testy in the third quarter when DeAndre Jordan and Mason Plumlee got into a bit of a pushing match, resulting in offsetting technical fouls.Portland rallied to keep it close throughout the quarter and Allan Crabbes jumper made it 76-73, but Marreese Speights answered for the Clippers with a 3-pointer.dddddddddddd It was tied at 82 going into the fourth quarter.Raymond Felton put the Clippers ahead 90-84 but they couldnt extend it any further until midway through the quarter when the game got chippy again and Plumlee was assessed a flagrant foul.I wont comment on the officiating, but obviously I didnt like some of the calls, Blazers coach Terry Stotts said.That shifted the momentum, and the Clippers went up 95-89. CJ McCollum was called for a flagrant on Jordan, who missed both free throws. J.J. Redick made a 3-pointer that put Los Angeles ahead 98-89.When you shoot 40 percent on the road and you have the grit to still win the game, that was pretty cool, Clippers coach Doc Rivers said.TIP INSClippers: The Clippers went after veterans in the offseason, bringing in 11-year pros Felton and Brandon Bass, eight-year pro Speights, and seven-year pro Alan Anderson. ... Los Angeles started Luc Mbah a Moute at small forward.Trail Blazers: Lillard opened the season with 39 points against the Jazz. ... Chance The Rapper was among the fans at the game. ... The Blazers made just four of 18 3-point attempts.TOGETHER: Paul, head of the NBA players union, is one of a group of players that lent their voices to an NBA video to spread a message of unity. Along with Dwyane Wade, Kyle Korver and Carmelo Anthony, the video ends with the words Theres only one way to work through our challenges -- together.The Trail Blazers have been linking arms during the national anthem for the seasons first two games.PLUMLEES GESTURE: He landed in the seats before his dustup with Jordan, startling two kids sitting courtside. After the game he brought them back to the locker room and signed a pair of jerseys for the youngsters.As for the officiating? He said it shouldnt be a distraction.If you are a mentally tough team you dont let that bother you, Plumlee said. Youve got to play through stuff.UP NEXTClippers: Host the Utah Jazz on Sunday night.Trail Blazers: At the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. ' ' '