Saturday and Sunday featured games of wide margins but they resulted in four powerhouse schools heading to the Final Four. Villanova and Houston couldn’t find the shooter’s touch but Wildcat fans will take a win in whatever fashion it’s presented. Justin Moore was seconds away from a sweet celebration and devastatingly tore his Achilles in the game’s waning moments. Head coach Jay Wright knew that it didn’t look good and the replay fully emphasized the severity of the injury. Wright’s team has a depth problem now. Villanova is perhaps the best team this season at playing below the rim. Collin Gillespie had a bad offensive game against Houston but he cannot afford another one in New Orleans.
Kansas has its best chance to end a surprising championship drought that’s lasted since 2008. Hurricane season ended for Miami when the Jayhawks smashed them after trailing by six at halftime. Miami spent the first half manufacturing baskets, sometimes in isolation after the initial set play didn’t work. Jayhawk defenders made the Hurricanes scrape the barrel for shot opportunities and it continued into the second half. Jim Larrañaga’s team looked as good as anyone else in the nation with their 5-Out offense for the last few weeks. Kansas’ talent and size simply took over. Now, Ochai Agbaji leads them to a showdown with Villanova. Agbaji wasn’t highly recruited in high school and now he’s grown into a hefty man’s body under Self’s program. The results may just be a national title.
April 2 features the most anticipated game between North Carolina and Duke. The season series is tied 1-1. Hubert Davis can add to his accomplishments at UNC this early in his coaching tenure. End Mike Krzyzewski’s career and possibly cut the nets down twice in New Orleans. Duke is favored to win with Paolo Banchero getting better with his shot selection. UNC can counter with two interchangeable guards in R.J. Davis and Caleb Love. Thrilling isn’t a fitting word to detail the hype around this year’s Final Four. Four schools with a combined 17 National Championships and a rivalry that will hit a fever pitch.
