Chuck Burton / AP

North Carolina star point guard Ivory Latta should lead the Tar Heels to the championship.

BRIDGEPORT
Once again, No. 2 UConn gets a big scheduling break and could win the whole thing without leaving the Northeast. After a couple games at University Park, they go back to their home base in Bridgeport and then a possible Final Four in Boston. But like last year, this is a team without a breakout star, and no clear playmaking leader. The Huskies rely most on senior Ann Strother, and on freshman point guard Renee Montgomery. "Everybody says we can't win, but we're 29-4," Auriemma said.

The Huskies can win or lose against any top team, and will have a tough time once they reach the Sweet 16. Bridgeport may help, but it will be tough to get past a one-two punch of No. 3 Georgia and then No. 1 Duke, which has the pedigree in coach Gail Goestenkors and the steady tournament nerves in scorer Monique Currie.

Look for a Georgia-Duke final here, with Duke eking its way to Boston.

SAN ANTONIO
Until proven wrong, eliminate No. 3 Stanford again this spring from serious consideration. The Cardinal's conference is just plain lousy, and Stanford has been a steady underachiever now for most of a decade.

That leaves No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Oklahoma, a battle of true heavyweights. Louisiana State is led by one-woman wrecking crew Seimone Augustus on offense, but the Sooners will not be pushed around. They won the Big 12 tournament by knocking off Baylor, as brawny Courtney Paris grabbed a lofty total of 26 rebounds.

Go with a southern-dominated Final Four of LSU, Duke, Baylor and North Carolina. Probably no Pat, and definitely no Geno.

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