Obama Final Four Picks

Guide Note: Illinois senator and Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama's final four picks for the 2008 NCAA Tournament are North Carolina, Kansas, Pittsburgh and UCLA. For the final game, Obama is betting on North Carolina to defeat UCLA.

Obama, who has been playing basketball since high school, is a self-described basketball fan and is participating in a staff-only NCAA betting pool.

Fast Facts:

1. Pick for NCAA Champ: North Carolina Tar Heels
2. Republican presidential nominee John McCain has also predicted UNC as the 2008 NCAA champ
3. McCain is running a NCAA pool via his website JohnMcCain.com
4. Fee to enter Obama staff betting pool: $10

Quotes:

1. Suggesting that politics would not enter into his March Madness picks, despite North Carolina's forthcoming May 6th primary, Obama told the Charlotte Observer: "Well, I have to say, (North Carolina Center Tyler) Hansbrough's looking tough. That's a big boy, there. So I've got to fill it out, I've got to do a little bracketology before I make a final decision."