SB Nation Minnesota - All Postshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48959/mn-fave.png2013-11-13T00:00:02-06:00http://minnesota.sbnation.com/rss/current/2013-11-13T00:00:02-06:002013-11-13T00:00:02-06:00Vote Bethel's Steve Johnson for Coach of the Year
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<p>Bethel University's Steve Johnson continues to stay in the Coach of the Year mix for his on and off the field approaches alike.</p> <p>Bethel's Steve Johnson has been a staple in the Division 3 (and Arden Hills/Minneapolis) communities for over two decades now. After playing himself for the Royals from 1974-1977, a successful high school coaching career (and GA stint with the home state Golden Gophers) paid off with Johnson returning to campus to lead his alma matter. He's been there for the last 25 years ever since.</p>
<p>Pushing his team towards a platform of gratefulness, toughness, and devotion, Johnson doesn't just inspire his players to be leaders on the field, he molds them for success for years to come off it, as well. Since taking over at BU, his football program has risen to national D3 prominence and are routinely in the mix for the MIAC title.</p>
<p>During Johnson's 25 years, the Royals have pulled in over 173 career wins, four MIAC championships, and seven NCAA Division III playoff appearances. At 9-0, Johnson hasn't had a losing season in over 20 years. You don't see many Division III level players make it to the professional ranks, but offensive lineman Mitch Elliot and linebacker Cory Svihla both made Minnesota Vikings rookie camps after outstanding careers as Royals.</p>
<p>This isn't Johnson's first rodeo, either. In 2010 and 2011 alike, he was a Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year finalist. At the time, Liberty Mutual's senior vice president for Consumer Marketing, Greg Gordon, had the following to say about Johnson:</p>
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<p>"Each year, we ask fans to vote for the coaches who best exemplify the award's characteristics - sportsmanship, integrity, responsibility and excellence, on and off the field. Steve Johnson does just that, through his success on game days, as well as providing leadership to his student-athletes and commitment to the greater Bethel community."</p>
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<p>Bethel's SID, Jared Johnson, shared similar sentiments:</p>
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<p>"In a time where many people measure success only by wins and losses, we are thrilled to have our own Coach Johnson named as a Coach of the Year finalist. Coach Johnson does just as much for his student-athletes and community off the field, as he does on the field, which gives Bethel fans and alumni something to be proud of. Now our fans just have to keep voting for Bethel to bring home the trophy, and to support his charities and our school."</p>
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<p>With Johnson potentially in the mix for his third finalist role, it's up to Bethel (and DIII football alike) fans to help make that a reality.</p>
<p>Help support Coach Johnson for Liberty Mutual's Coach of the Year Award, whose dedication and commitment are felt beyond the field of play, helping to promote academic excellence among their student-athletes and through charitable acts in their communities. You can back him at <a target="_blank" href="http://coachoftheyear.com/">CoachofTheYear.com</a>, or submit your vote on Facebook at <a target="_blank" href="http://facebook.com/LMCoachoftheYear">Facebook.com/LMCoachoftheYear</a>.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2013/11/13/5097250/steve-johnson-epitomizes-coach-of-the-year-qualitiesSB Nation College News2013-04-22T11:50:09-05:002013-04-22T11:50:09-05:00Vikings to target Woods?
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<p>Could the Minnesota Vikings get a young, talented receiver like Robert Woods in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft?</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Vikings</a> entered this offseason with one big problem, and a lot of expectations. The problem was wide receiver <span>Percy Harvin</span>, which the team took care of by trading him to the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Seahawks</a> for, among other things, a first-round selection in the 2013 NFL Draft. The expectations came from the team making the playoffs last season after being one of the league's worst teams the previous year.</p>
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<strong>More</strong>: <a href="http://dailynorseman.com" target="new">Visit Daily Norseman for more on the Vikings</a>
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<p>With such a competitive division, they'll need to build and have a strong offseason to make an improvement on where they were last season. Fortunately, the first-round pick they traded for should help nicely, given their needs.</p>
<p>Now they pick at No. 23 and No. 25 in the first round. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/4/22/4250052/2013-nfl-mock-draft" target="_blank">Dan Kadar of SB Nation</a> released his latest mock draft on Monday, and he has the Vikings taking Kansas State linebacker <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36657/arthur-brown" class="sbn-auto-link">Arthur Brown</a> with the first of the team's two picks:</p>
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<p>The Vikings need young athleticism on defense and Brown is the most athletic linebacker in the draft. He's not the most powerful player and will need to be kept clean by the defensive line. But he can get to the ball in a hurry and finish nicely.</p>
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<p>Brown definitely makes sense for the Vikings. They've been looking for some help at the position for some time now and Brown has been rising up draft boards this offseason. You can find his <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/3/23/4137194/arthur-brown-2013-nfl-draft-scouting-report" target="_blank">scouting report here</a>. With the No. 25 pick, Kadar gives the Vikings Southern California wide receiver Robert Woods:</p>
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<p>It's easy to forget that entering the 2012 college football season, Woods was routinely talked about as the top wide receiver in the nation. He was slowed by injuries last season and got overshadowed by sensation Marqise Lee. But Woods is a savvy route runner with good hands. He gets the nod over <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113629/keenan-allen" class="sbn-auto-link">Keenan Allen</a> because he's a more dependable player.</p>
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<p>Both players would definitely help the Vikings a great deal, but the Woods pick is among the most interesting in the first round of this draft. He's been very under the radar, but before his injury issues, he was one of, if not the top wide receiver in the nation, and could be a huge get for the Harvin-less Vikings.</p>
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https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2013/4/22/4252746/2013-nfl-mock-draft-robert-woods-vikingsJames Brady2013-04-18T07:00:06-05:002013-04-18T07:00:06-05:00Mock: Viking use extra 1st on Te'o
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<p>Minnesota picked up an extra first-round pick when they traded Percy Harvin. Is a controversial figure from Notre Dame the best possible return on that investment?</p> <p>The Minnesota Vikings "solved" one problem when they traded away disgruntled wide receiver <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/10146/percy-harvin">Percy Harvin</a> to the Seahawks for three draft picks, including Seattle's first-round pick in next weeks draft. Adding Greg Jennings in free agency helps the Vikings lack of talent at receiver, but how will they use the 25th overall pick acquired to get the best bang for the buck of losing one of their most talented players?</p>
<p>Another controversial star could be the answer.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<b>More</b>: <a href="http://www.dailynorseman.com/2013/4/16/4224156/Minnesota-Vikings-NFL-Draft-Arifs-Vikings-specific-Big-Board-Wide-Receivers-Tier-7" target="new">Daily Norseman: Vikings Big Board</a>
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<p>Minnesota is still in need of help in the linebacker, secondary, and receiver units, and that extra pick should help them fill those roles. One of the biggest names, if not the biggest, will be Notre Dame linebacker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/84654/manti-te-o">Manti Te'o</a>. Though Te'o's highly publicized controversy with a fake girlfriend put him in the spotlight for some time, he certainly did not have the same kind of media attention that Harvin had. One could assume that perhaps all of those troubles are behind Te'o and that he could help the Vikings from day one on their journey to a return trip to the playoffs.</p>
<p>Rob Rang of CBS Sports projected Te'o to the Vikings <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfldraftscout-RobRang">with the 25th pick in his latest mock draft:</a></p>
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<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14.390625px;">The Vikings have a gaping hole at middle linebacker after allowing last year's starter, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/10870/jasper-brinkley">Jasper Brinkley</a> to leave via free agency. Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman appears to have an affinity for Notre Dame players, as he's collected five of them, including trading back into the first round a year ago to nab free safety <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/11639/harrison-smith">Harrison Smith</a>. Lost in the bizarre off-field saga is the fact that other than the national championship game, Te'o had proven himself to be among the most consistent players in the 2013 class.</span></p>
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<p>But that's not all the Vikings get to do in the first round next week. They also have their own pick, 23rd overall, and they also have another player to replace that is now with the Seahawks. When Antoine Winfield left Minnesota for Seattle in free agency, it left an opening in their secondary for someone to start right away. Rang projected cornerback Jamar Taylor from Boise State to be that guy:</p>
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<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14.390625px;">Cornerback was an area of concern for the Vikings before they lost Antoine Winfield in free agency. Taylor, like Winfield, is a versatile, physical defender who'd help take away some of the sting of losing the veteran Vikings' head coach Leslie Frazier called "the glue" of the team.</span></p>
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<p>With Te'o and Taylor on board, the Vikings defense could grow into becoming one of the best in the league. Though it would not completely make up for the loss of Harvin and Winfield, it would be a strong start and give Minnesota a lot of hope for 2013.</p>
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https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2013/4/18/4236454/2013-nfl-mock-draft-vikings-manti-teo-jamar-taylorKenneth Arthur2013-04-11T07:00:06-05:002013-04-11T07:00:06-05:00Te'o to the Vikings?
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<figcaption>Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Minnesota Vikings have two first-round picks, and an NFL Draft analyst projects the team to use one on Manti Te'o.</p> <p>Manti Te'o is one of the more notable names in the 2013 NFL Draft, and at least one NFL Draft analyst projects Te'o to land in Minnesota.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<strong>More</strong>: <a target="new" href="http://www.dailynorseman.com/">Daily Norseman</a> <a target="new" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft">Mocking the Draft</a>
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<p>Sports Illustrated's <a target="_blank" href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130410/nfl-mock-draft-5/?xid=sbnation.com">Don Banks released a new mock draft on Wednesday</a> and in it, he predicts the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Vikings</a> will select Tennessee wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson and Notre Dame's Te'o. The Vikings are projected to select Patterson with the No. 23 pick. One of the top wide receivers in the draft, Patterson would combine with <span>Greg Jennings</span> to give the Vikings a formidable wide receiver duo.</p>
<p>Minnesota acquired the No. 25 pick in the <span>Percy Harvin</span> trade, and Banks projects them to use it on Te'o. The senior linebacker has questions on and off the field leading up to the draft. Te'o made headlines after it turned out he was the victim of an Internet hoax. On the field, he struggled in the National Championship game, leading some to question how he'll transition to the NFL.</p>
<p>With Patterson and Te'o, the Vikings would add a key piece to the offense and defense. SB Nation's Matthew Fairburn has a different projection, as his latest mock draft has Minnesota selecting Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd at No. 23 and Kansas State linebacker Arthur Brown at No. 25. Fairburn projected Minnesota to take Louisiana Tech wide receiver Quinton Patton in the second round and North Carolina State cornerback David Amerson in the third.</p>
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https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-vikings/2013/4/11/4211084/2013-nfl-mock-draft-manti-teo-cordarrelle-patterson-vikingsMark Sandritter2013-04-08T17:41:46-05:002013-04-08T17:41:46-05:00Mock draft: Vikes go defense first
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<p>With four picks in the first three rounds, SB Nation's new mock draft has the Vikings getting some much-needed help on defense.</p> <p>The Minnestoa <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a> are in a solid position in the 2013 NFL Draft. Having gained an extra first-round pick in the <span>Percy Harvin</span> trade, they now own four picks in the first three rounds, and are expected to bolster their defense.</p>
<p>SB Nation's Matthew Fairburn <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/4/8/4192860/2013-nfl-mock-draft-three-rounds-geno-smith-tavon-austin">released a three-round mock draft</a> on Monday. In it, he has the Vikings taking Florida DT <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115263/sharrif-floyd">Sharrif Floyd</a> with the 23rd pick, which would be a massive steal:</p>
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<p>The Vikings get a nice value here thanks to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> passing on defensive tackle for wide receiver. Sharrif Floyd is a top-15 player, but he is also the third-best defensive tackle on my board. This is about as low as I could see him falling, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him come off the board at No. 2 overall.</p>
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<p>Two picks later, at No. 25, Minnesota selects Kansas State LB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36657/arthur-brown">Arthur Brown</a>:</p>
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<p>The Vikings have shown plenty of interest in <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/84654/manti-te-o">Manti Te'o</a>, but Arthur Brown is the better linebacker prospect. If Minnesota managed to come away from the first round with Floyd and Brown, the front seven would be in solid shape for the foreseeable future.</p>
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<p>In the second round, the Vikings find their replacement for Harvin, drafting Louisiana Tech WR <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/137177/quinton-patton">Quinton Patton</a>:</p>
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<p>The Vikings lost <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/10146/percy-harvin">Percy Harvin</a>, so wide receiver is a need, despite the addition of <span>Greg Jennings</span>. Quinton Patton doesn't have the physical tools of some other wide receivers in this class, but he is a polished player who can contribute right away.</p>
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<p>Minnesota goes back on the defensive side in the third round, taking N.C. State CB/S <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114554/david-amerson">David Amerson</a> with the 81st pick.</p>
<p>Check out the complete mock draft at the link below.</p>
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https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2013/4/8/4202752/2013-nfl-mock-draft-vikingsJon Benne2013-04-06T07:00:03-05:002013-04-06T07:00:03-05:00Michigan is the Big Ten's last hope at the Final 4
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<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox</figcaption>
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<p>With only four teams left in this year's NCAA Tournament, the action will resume Saturday night in Atlanta. Michigan will try and take one step closer to becoming the first Big Ten club to claim the title since 2000. </p> <p>Although your bracket was busted weeks ago, the NCAA Tournament will still resume action on Saturday night with a pair of Final Four games from Atlanta. Michigan will try to take another step towards ending the Big Ten's 13-year NCAA Tournament title drought in the night-cap against Syracuse, while Louisville will take on Wichita State in the opener.</p>
<p align="center"><i><b>For more on the story, visit </b></i><a href="http://www.cardchronicle.com/"><i><b>Card Chronicle</b></i></a><a href="http://www.redcuprebellion.com/"></a><i><b> and </b></i><a href="http://www.midmajormadness.com/">Mid Major Madness</a></p>
<p>Starting with the first game, Louisville will enter the evening as a heavy favorite against Wichita State, a club which advanced to the Final Four in Atlanta as the No. 9 seed out of the West Region. For the Shockers to somehow pull the upset on Saturday, they'll need to slow down a red-hot Louisville team that has averaged 80.5 points per game in NCAA Tournament play. The Cardinals scored a tournament-high 85 points in their last outing, in an 18-point beat down of the Midwest's No. 2 seed, Duke.</p>
<p align="center"><i><b>For more on the story, visit </b></i><a href="http://www.nunesmagician.com/">Nunes Magician</a><i><b> and </b></i><a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/">Maize 'N Brew</a><a href="http://www.midmajormadness.com/"></a></p>
<p>And in the night cap, Michigan will try to do what no Big Ten team has done since the Michigan State Spartans in 2000, and that's claim a college basketball title.</p>
<p>The Wolverines have talent all over the court, but are led by point guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145685/trey-burke">Trey Burke</a> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/4/5/4187136/trey-burke-john-wooden-award-2013">who was named the Wooden Award winner as National Player of the Year</a> on Friday afternoon. Burke averaged just under 19 points and seven assists this season, and is coming off a 15-point, seven assist performance against Florida in Sunday's regional final.</p>
<p>The winners of Saturday's semifinal games will met in Monday night's championship game.</p>
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https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2013/4/6/4188852/final-four-schedule-2013-ncaa-tournament-bracketAaron Torres2013-04-04T18:53:44-05:002013-04-04T18:53:44-05:00Syracuse-Michigan game time and TV listings
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Syracuse and Michigan will face off in the Final Four on Saturday for a spot in the national championship. See where you can catch the action.</p> <p>The 2013 Final Four takes place on Saturday, and the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/michigan-wolverines" class="sbn-auto-link">Michigan Wolverines</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/syracuse-orange" class="sbn-auto-link">Syracuse Orange</a> will meet in the final game in Atlanta.</p>
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<p>Both programs have long, storied traditions, but it's been a while since either came close to a national title. Michigan's last trip to the Final Four was during the Fab Five era in 1993. Likewise, Syracuse hasn't made it this far since winning it all in 2003.</p>
<p>Led by AP Player of the Year Trey Burke, the Wolverines defeated South Dakota State, VCU, Kansas and Florida to win the South region. They came close to being knocked out in the Sweet 16, but a heroic effort by Burke (18 second half points) gave them an overtime win in a game that will go down as an instant classic.</p>
<p>As for Syracuse, they used their 2-3 zone defense to stifle their opponents. They knocked off Montana, California, Indiana and Marquette in the East region, holding three of their opponents to 50 points or less.</p>
<p>Here's the complete schedule for Saturday:</p>
<p><b>Game time: </b>8:49 p.m. ET</p>
<p><b>Location: </b>Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga.</p>
<p><b>TV: </b>CBS (also streaming online at <a href="http://www.ncaa.com/march-madness-live" target="_blank">March Madness Live</a>)</p>
<p><b>Line: </b>Michigan by 2</p>
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https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2013/4/4/4184996/final-four-syracuse-michigan-game-time-tv-scheduleJon Benne2013-04-03T21:43:39-05:002013-04-03T21:43:39-05:00Experts predict Louisville to win it all
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<figcaption>Andy Lyons</figcaption>
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<p>Experts believe the tournament's No. 1 overall seed, Louisville, will be crowned national champions on Monday night.</p> <p>In an NCAA Tournament and basketball season filled with upsets, the experts believe that the No. 1 overall seed, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/louisville-cardinals">Louisville</a>, will win the National Championship and cut down the nets on Monday night.</p>
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<p><br id="1365038476457">Beginning with Saturday's games, they experts all pick Louisville to end the Cinderella run of Wichita State. All <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/ncaa-tournament/expert-picks/straight-up/national-semifinals">four CBS Sports experts</a> predict that Louisville will not only win, but also <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/ncaa-tournament/expert-picks/against-the-spread/national-semifinals">cover the 10.5-point spread</a>. At <a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaab/final-four-prediction-louisville-favored-by-95-against-wichita-state-on-saturday-april-06-2013">OddsShark</a>, they have things a bit closer, but like the Cardinals to advance with a 82-75 victory. Professional prognosticator <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/03/18/sports/ncaabasketball/nate-bracket.html?_r=0">Nate Silver of the <i>New York Times</i> blog FiveThirtyEight</a> gives Louisville a 84.6 percent chance of advancing past the Shockers.</p>
<p>The experts are unanimous when it comes to the second semifinal as well, with all of them picking the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/michigan-wolverines">Michigan Wolverines</a> to beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/syracuse-orange">Syracuse Orange</a>. All four CBS Sports experts agree and believe the Wolverines will cover their 2.5-point spread, but OddsShark projects a thriller, with <a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaab/final-four-prediction-michigan-wolverines-visit-syracuse-orange-in-college-basketball-clash-april-06-2013">Michigan coming out on top, 80-79</a>. Silver also has this game a lot closer, giving the Wolverines a 51.9 percent advantage.</p>
<p>Overall, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/03/18/sports/ncaabasketball/nate-bracket.html?_r=0">Silver likes the Cardinals</a>, putting Louisville's chances to cut down the nets at 55 percent compared to 21.2 percent for Michigan, 19 percent for Syracuse, and 4.7 percent for Wichita State. <a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaab/final-four-trends-odds-favor-chalk">OddsShark also believes it will be Louisville</a> left standing in the end, citing the success of favorites in past Final Fours.</p>
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