Good morning to everyone but especially to…
THE MEN’S FINAL FOUR
Your bracket is very likely busted, and for good reason: For the first time ever, there are ZERO 1 seeds, 2 seeds or 3 seeds in the men’s Final Four. Let’s get to know the group headed to Houston: 4-seed UConn, 5-seed Miami, 5-seed San Diego State and 9-seed Florida Atlantic.
When I think of UConn, I think dominant. The Huskies’ smallest margin of victory so far in the NCAA Tournament is 15 points, and their 82-54 Elite Eight destruction of Gonzaga was the largest margin of victory in an Elite Eight game since 1992.
It starts in the middle with Adama Sanogo, who has been second to none. He’s averaging 20 points and 9.8 rebounds while shooting over 65% from the floor in the Tournament.Like any great team, though, the Huskies have plenty of perimeter talent, too: Jordan Hawkins nailed six 3-pointers in the win.Basically, there are lots of reasons UConn is far and away the favorite to win it all.
As for who the Huskies face next… when I think Miami, I think guard-tastic. And I don’t care that it’s not a word. The Hurricanes’ awesome guards were a huge reason I took them to make them the Elite Eight, and I wish I had gone one step further because the Hurricanes are into their first Final Four after rallying past Texas, 88-81.
Do-it-all 6’7″ guard Jordan Miller shined brightest: 27 points on seven-for-seven shooting and 13-for-13 free throws.It’s the second-most points with perfect field goal and free throw shooting in NCAA Tournament history: Christian Laettner had 32 in 1992 against Kentucky, the game in which he hit “The Shot.”Miami closed the game on a 37-17 run.Jim Larrañaga is the fourth coach to make multiple Final Fours as a 5 seed or worse.Here’s our Dennis Dodd on the Hurricanes.
When I think of Florida Atlantic, I think tough. So, too, did Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang when he spoke to the Owls after they beat his team,…
..
