A daily season crammed with top-25 upsets each week has led to a Ultimate 4 that features the 2 groups that had been ranked No. 1 within the AP ballot greater than anybody else. There’s additionally simply the sixth 11-seed to ever attain the Ultimate 4 and a workforce that wanted to win 5 video games in 5 days on the ACC match simply to listen to its title on Choice Sunday.
It would not be an NCAA match with out a Cinderella, proper?
Now we head to Phoenix with a Ultimate 4 crammed with loads of star energy — each on the ground and on the sideline.
UConn is seeking to go back-to-back for the primary time since Florida in 2007, Purdue is making an attempt to tug off a Virginia-esque turnaround to win its first NCAA match, Alabama goes for its first nationwide championship, and NC State is making an attempt to channel former coach Jim Valvano and its run to the 1983 title.
The Huskies enter as the favourite to win all of it and a possible nationwide title showdown between UConn and Purdue — and Donovan Clingan and Zach Edey — will garner nearly all of predictions. In a one-game situation, nevertheless, Alabama’s taking pictures prowess and the instantly unstoppable D.J. Burns Jr. are poised to play spoiler.
From the reporters who coated every workforce’s path to the Ultimate 4, this is how every workforce may lower down the nets in Phoenix.
FINAL FOUR BOUND 🏜️ pic.twitter.com/nsvb3DfgfJ
— NC State Males’s Basketball (@PackMensBball) March 31, 2024
NO. 11 SEED | SOUTH REGION
Spherical of 64: def. No. 6 Texas Tech 80-67
Spherical of 32: def. No. 14 Oakland 79-73 (OT)
Candy 16: def. No. 2 Marquette 67-58
Elite Eight: def. No. 4 Duke 76-64
Ultimate 4 opponent: vs. Purdue, Saturday, 6 p.m. ET
By Adam Teicher (from Dallas)
The best way North Carolina State turned its season round, going from 17-14 heading into the ACC Event to 26-14 now, is spectacular. As coach Kevin Keatts stated, the Wolfpack did not by accident get sizzling, not in opposition to the competitors they have been enjoying in opposition to. North Carolina State has overwhelmed 5 ranked groups of their present nine-game successful streak, together with Duke within the Elite Eight. The Wolfpack have eight transfers and it took a while for every thing to come back collectively however NC State is healthier defensively and a greater rebounding workforce than earlier within the season. The Wolfpack can play loads of types. It could play at a fast tempo or a extra deliberate tempo. It could use a lineup loaded with bigs or play with 4 guards. They guard effectively in opposition to the 3-point shot. The 2 most up-to-date opponents, Marquette and Duke, mixed to shoot 9-of-51 (18%) from 3-point vary. Burns is a load for opponents to deal with below the basket.
What stood out: The Wolfpack not solely have measurement however they use it effectively. Within the Candy 16 win over Marquette, NC State made a precedence of defending the 3-point arc and did it effectively. The Golden Eagles made simply 4-of-31 from 3. The Wolfpack nonetheless protected the rim effectively and outrebounded Marquette by a large margin. Mohamed Diarra (6-foot-10), Ben Middlebrooks (6-10) and Burns (6-9) all get important minutes. Duke made simply 5-of-20 3-point photographs within the Elite Eight matchup.
Who may change into a family title: Burns is not NC State’s main scorer or rebounder. However he poses issues for opposing defenses when it comes to account for him. He is a load to deal with with the ball if he is not in a double-team nevertheless it’s problematic to at all times ship assist to him as a result of he is such a very good passer. His footwork across the basket is super for a participant his measurement (6-9 and doubtless bigger than the 275 kilos he is listed at by the college).
What may very well be the downfall: The Wolfpack haven’t got a deep roster and may very well be in hassle if the fouls begin piling up. The Wolfpack can reliably go seven gamers deep however past that Keatts should do some inventive mixing and matching. Enjoying in opposition to Purdue and Zach Edey typically requires loads of fouling.
THE TIDE IS ROLLING TO THE FINAL FOUR!#RollTide | #BlueCollarBasketball pic.twitter.com/fSKwuWmUva
— Alabama Males’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) March 31, 2024
NO. 4 SEED | WEST REGION
Spherical of 64: def. No. 13 Charleston 109-96
Spherical of 32: def. No. 12 Grand Canyon 72-61
Candy 16: def. No. 1 North Carolina 89-87
Elite Eight: def. No. 6 Clemson 89-82
Ultimate 4 opponent: vs. UConn, Saturaday 8:45 p.m. ET
By Paolo Uggetti (from Los Angeles)
A 12 months after stitching collectively a 31-win season that led to a Candy 16 run, Alabama returned with a vengeance and it is led them to the primary Ultimate 4 look in program historical past. In Los Angeles, the Tide confirmed they had been worthy of such a spot. They absolutely embraced their id and confirmed a fearlessness within the face of an opponent that was presupposed to be higher than them (North Carolina) and one other opponent that raced out to a 13-point lead in opposition to them (Clemson). Throughout this match, Alabama has received a recreation by scoring 109 factors and received one other by scoring 72 factors and it has led head coach Nate Oats to reward the advance the Tide have made on protection. Make no mistake about it although, this workforce will go solely so far as its offense — led by guard Mark Sears and buoyed by large males Nick Pringle and Grant Nelson — does.
What stood out: The Tide’s dedication to maintain taking pictures in any respect prices. Even after they had made one 3-pointer in 13 makes an attempt in opposition to Clemson, there was no straying away from what had gotten them to the Dance within the first place. Of their minds, the photographs had been merely sure to go in and effectively, they did. As Oats defined, it is not nearly taking pictures 3s however reasonably taking environment friendly photographs. Alabama merely does not take midrange photographs. It is all layups, 3s and free throws. Up to now, the formulation is working to perfection.
Who may change into a family title: Sears. Alabama’s prime guard is already a program legend who holds the single-season scoring report and is averaging over 24 factors a recreation within the match. On Saturday, Sears engineered a powerful second-half efficiency in opposition to the Tigers when it appeared the basket became the dimensions of a pool for him as he made six 3s. The 6-1 senior could have his work lower out for him in opposition to one of many prime defenses within the nation in UConn. And if he can get sizzling from 3 but once more and take out the highest seed within the match, his legend will solely develop.
What may very well be the downfall: That is what makes this Alabama workforce a captivating experiment, of types. If the photographs are getting into, they’re successfully unbeatable. If they don’t seem to be, it is a completely different story. Oats has stated there are contingency plans ought to they go chilly, however in opposition to the most effective workforce within the nation within the Huskies, odds are that Alabama will check an previous basketball adage: Reside by the three or die by it.
🌵 SEE YOU IN PHOENIX FOR THE FINAL FOUR! pic.twitter.com/QtXwUSOtbE
— Purdue Males’s Basketball (@BoilerBall) March 31, 2024
NO. 1 SEED | MIDWEST REGION
Spherical of 64: def. No. 16 Grambling 78-50
Spherical of 32: def. No. 8 Utah State 106-67
Candy 16: def. No. 5 Gonzaga 80-68
Elite Eight: def. No. 2 Tennessee 72-66
Ultimate 4 opponent: vs. NC State Saturday, 6 p.m. ET
By Myron Medcalf (from Detroit)
Zach Edey is greater than a future two-time Picket Award. He is probably the most dominating forces this sport has seen. Each workforce in Purdue’s path has tried to cease him. They’ve used a number of gamers. They’ve doubled him. They’ve tried to maintain the ball out of his palms. Nothing has labored. By means of 4 video games, he is averaged 30.0 PPG and 11.0 RPG. He is additionally registered 54 free throw makes an attempt and made 66% of his photographs. He is the anchor of a Purdue squad that is second within the nation in 3-point taking pictures (40.6%). Sunday’s win proved, nevertheless, that the Boilermakers can win ugly (3-for-15 from past the arc) due to Edey, who had a career-high 40 factors. He is the rationale the Boilermakers may advance once more and doubtlessly problem UConn within the nationwide championship. Edey is so good at dictating the circulate of any recreation. And he has the stamina to play 40 minutes. There isn’t any simple approach to take care of probably the most dominant gamers in school basketball historical past.
What stood out: Edey performed 39 minutes in Sunday’s win. It was the primary time a participant had completed with 40 factors and at the least 15 rebounds within the NCAA match in 34 years. Edey labored exhausting within the offseason to slim down and change into a extra cell menace. He wished the power to play in video games just like the contentious affair in opposition to Tennessee on Sunday. Total, he is performed 35 or extra minutes in six video games since Feb. 22. He has to take care of groups throwing a number of gamers at him. However he has the vitality to be a pivotal participant within the closing minutes of an NCAA match recreation.
Who may change into a family title: I will go along with Fletcher Loyer, who seems to be like a ’90s sitcom star. He has a wealthy basketball historical past, too. He was a standout highschool participant in Michigan and Indiana, the place he received state participant of the 12 months in 2022. His brother, Foster, performed at Michigan State and Davidson. His father is an NBA scout. Plus, his Purdue ties are robust. His grandfather performed for the Boilermakers and his mom is a former assistant for the Purdue ladies’s volleyball workforce. Additionally, he is good. He is averaging 11.75 PPG and he is linked on 46% of his photographs from past the arc within the NCAA match.
What may very well be the downfall: If the 3-pointers cease falling like they did on Sunday in opposition to Tennessee, Purdue may very well be in hassle. That does not occur usually for a workforce ranked second nationally in 3-point taking pictures (40.6%) however when it does, it could get ugly. In Purdue’s 4 losses this season, the Boilermakers linked on simply 34% of their 3-point makes an attempt, far beneath their season common. A sluggish night time would additionally make groups really feel extra snug about doubling Edey.
FINAL FOUR BOUND‼️#MadeForMarch | #MixForSix pic.twitter.com/5brogsETVP
— UConn Males’s Basketball (@UConnMBB) March 31, 2024
NO. 1 SEED | EAST REGION
Spherical of 64: def. No. 16 Stetson 91-52
Spherical of 32: def. No. 9 Northwestern 75-58
Candy 16: def. No. 5 San Diego State 82-52
Elite Eight: def. No. 3 Illinois 77-52
Ultimate 4 opponent: vs. Alabama, Saturday 8:45 p.m. ET
By Jeff Borzello (from Boston)
Dubbed the “UConn Invitational,” the Huskies did nothing to dissuade the notion that they’re the heavy favourite to chop down the nets and change into the primary back-to-back nationwide champions since Florida in 2006 and 2007. The stats are merely eye-opening: UConn is the primary program in NCAA match historical past to win 10 straight video games by double-digits. They’re the third program in historical past to win their two video games straight earlier than the Ultimate 4 by 25-plus factors apiece. They went on a 30-0 run — within the Elite Eight! UConn has the nation’s finest offense and a top-five protection, the one workforce remaining to rank within the prime 5 at each ends of the ground. Tristen Newton is an All-American, Cam Spencer and Alex Karaban are dependable and we’ll get to Stephon Fortress shortly — however the emergence of Donovan Clingan as probably the most dominant defensive participant within the nation would be the key within the Ultimate 4. Clingan single-handedly stored Illinois away from the rim, blocking 5 photographs and forcing the Illini to go for 0-for-19 from the sector on photographs contested by the 7-foot-2 lottery decide. Dan Hurley’s guys embrace the “us in opposition to the world” mentality and are enjoying with an enormous chip on their shoulder.
What stood out: UConn’s skill to play completely different types, at completely different tempos and beat fully completely different groups. San Diego State entered its recreation in opposition to the Huskies with a top-10 protection — after which UConn went out and had probably the most environment friendly offensive efficiency anybody has had in opposition to the Aztecs since 2019. Illinois had the nation’s finest offense moreover UConn — and the Huskies held the Illini to this system’s worst offensive effort since 2015. Alabama’s fast-paced, 3-point-happy type will pose a distinct problem for UConn, however the Huskies actually will not be unprepared for that matchup.
Who may change into a family title: Stephon Fortress. The UConn freshman is a possible lottery decide and a former five-star recruit, so he is already a family title within the eyes of scouts — however he is established himself as an elite defender within the NCAA match. He helped maintain Northwestern’s Boo Buie to 2-for-15 taking pictures after which held Illinois’ Terrence Shannon Jr. to 2-for-12 from the sector. Up subsequent? Alabama’s All-America guard Mark Sears.
What may very well be the downfall: Provided that the Huskies have misplaced only one recreation at full power, it is exhausting to search out many weaknesses. They’ve had some off days taking pictures the ball, however barely broke a sweat in opposition to Northwestern regardless of going 3-for-22 from 3 and battered Illinois by 25 regardless of going 3-for-17 from deep. One potential challenge can be Clingan moving into foul hassle. Samson Johnson is a strong backup, however Clingan is probably the most impactful defensive participant within the nation.
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