V-RECAP | Elite Eight | Sunday, March 30
Syracuse stifles Oklahoma, earns trip to Final Four

SOUTH REGION: (1) Texas 85, (7) Michigan State 76
Thanks to a balanced attack and the leadership of my choice for national Player of the Year, T. J. Ford, Texas earned its first trip to the Final Four since 1947, baby!

	Rick Barnes

While he didn't have a great shooting performance, Ford did the little things that matter: penetrating, setting up his teammates, handling the rock and converting on the foul line. In the end, it was enough to get past a scrappy, physical, well-coached Michigan State Spartans squad.

Rick Barnes' team had five players in double figures on a day where James Thomas did not score often. Sydmill Harris came off the bench and provided a spark with 12 first-half points. Brad Buckman hit key shots and Brian Boddicker converted trifectas as Texas maintained its lead.

Give Barnes a lot of credit for assembling this team, and keeping talent like Ford in the state of Texas. He has done a solid coaching job this season.

Right from the start of the campaign, when I saw the Longhorns against Georgia, I knew this team had talent and depth. The Longhorns faced solid competition all season long, so they've has been battle tested. Playing the likes of Arizona, Georgia and Notre Dame in pre-conference, plus the Big 12, arguably the best conference in America, prepares you for the rigors of the NCAA tournament.

Speaking of the Big 12, what about a salute for the conference! It has a pair of teams in the Final Four for the second straight year.

Michigan State fought hard, but couldn't get over the hump after closing the Texas margin down to five at 81-76. Tom Izzo did a terrific job and one could only imagine what would have happened if Marcus Taylor had stayed in school. Remember, this Michigan State team lost to Illinois by 30 in February.

The Spartans held Florida to 46 points and Maryland to 58. But on Sunday, Michigan State couldn't slow down Ford and the Longhorns.

So the Final Four is set for the Big Easy. Talk about star power, baby! Ford, Dwyane Wade, Nick Collison, Kirk Hinrich and Carmelo Anthony! That is awesome, baby with a capital A!

I can't wait to get down to New Orleans for the Final Four. It will culminate the best three weeks in sports, the NCAA tournament!