There have been 124 NCAA Tournament contests played over the last two weeks, but the six biggest games still lie ahead as Final Four weekend tips off today. It’s possible you haven’t watched a single second of the action, and that’s okay! You’ve chosen to save the best for first and we’re here to catch you up on anything you missed.
Before we preview the weekend ahead, a tip of the hat must be extended to Florida Atlantic head coach Dusty May. Two days before March turned to April, May bucked the trend of a bizarre college basketball incentive structure and signed a long-term contract extension to remain the head coach of the Owls.
If you are hoping this is the start of longterm success for the Owls, though, you might want to hold your breath for a few years. May may be sticking around for now, but a bigger school will eventually come calling with the promise of more money and more resources to make him their head coach. Remember Fairleigh Dickinson from a few weeks back? Their coach, Tobin Anderson, already has a new gig at Iona. Or what about St. Peter’s, the 15-seed that made the Elite Eight last year? Head coach Shaheen Holloway parlayed that success into the main chair at Seton hall, his alma mater. Look no further than this year’s Final Four field for another example. Miami head coach Jim Larrañaga took George Mason on a magical run to the Final Four in 2006 and then stuck around for five more seasons. But eventually the ‘Canes came calling and he left for the sunshine and big dollars of Coral Gables.
There is nothing wrong with these coaches taking better opportunities. The best coaches should coach the best programs. But it does serve as a stark reminder that even at the amateur level, where pageantry and school pride are peddled to the masses, high-level sports are first and foremost a business. Everybody loves a Cinderella, but when the clock strikes midnight, the ugly (and wealthier) stepsister is apt to sign prince charming to a richer contract and maybe even snag a couple players and the glass slipper while they’re at it. Then it’s back to talking animals and dusting for our tournament favorites, left with just a few fond memories of the big dance.
That’s enough cynicism for today; let’s get back to our regularly scheduled programming. Everything is bigger in Texas, where the men are in Houston and the women are in Dallas this weekend, so pour yourself two cups of coffee and read on to get your day started right!
1. Unstoppable Force, Meet Immovable Object
Iowa’s all-everything guard Caitlin Clark was named the Associated Press women’s basketball Player of the Year on Thursday, punctuating a season in which she averaged 27.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.6 assists. Her star has shined even brighter in March, with her latest feat of brilliance coming in the form of a 40-point triple-double against Louisville last weekend to seal the Hawkeyes’ trip to the Final Four. It was a singular performance with no precedent in the NCAA Tournament in either the women’s or men’s record books — and it drew more viewers than any NBA game on ESPN this year.
Up next for Clark and (2) Iowa is a matchup tonight with a (1) South Carolina team that has steamrolled their way to the Final Four with a 36-0 record. The Gamecocks have a star of their own in senior forward Aliyah Boston, who was named a First Team All-American for the third straight season on Friday and is likely to be the top selection in April’s WNBA Draft. Boston, who is 6’5”, is the leader of the best defense in the country. She’ll work alongside Kamilla Cardoso (6’7”), Laeticia Amihere (6’4”) and Ashlyn Watkins (6’3”) to make it difficult for Iowa to get its offense going close to the hoop. Scoring enough to hand South Carolina its first loss will be a tall task, but if anyone is up to the challenge, it’s Caitlin Clark.
Say something like: “South Carolina better guard Caitlin Clark the second she leaves the locker room!”
2. Do the Hokie Pokey
Before South Carolina and Iowa take the court in Dallas tonight, (1) Virginia Tech and (3) Louisiana State will vie for a spot in Sunday’s National Championship Game. LSU enters the matchup with just two losses this season and boasting one of the nation’s top players in forward Angel Reese. Reese, who ranked fifth in the nation in scoring and second in rebounding, will hope to get the better of Virginia Tech’s senior center Elizabeth Kitley, who has led the Hokies to the best season in school history.
Say something like: “I’ll give you $5 if you know what a Hokie is.”1
3. Why Don’t You Just Meet Me in the Middle
It’s a 2,607-mile drive from the campus of (9) Florida Atlantic University to the (5) San Diego State quad, so if bi-coastal buddies from the opposing schools wanted to meet halfway for spring break, Saturday’s semifinal matchup in Houston would be the perfect spot.2
Both programs are playing in the Final Four for the first time, but neither is just happy to be here. Florida Atlantic is looking to win a championship in its second-ever tournament appearance, while San Diego State’s senior-heavy roster has unfinished business from its 2019-20 campaign. That season was cut short by COVID-19 just as the Aztecs were poised to enter the tournament with a top seed after compiling a 30-2 record. Look for guard Matt Bradley to lead a balanced attack for San Diego State while the backcourt duo of Johnell Davis and Alijah Martin try and extend FAU’s season one more game.
Say something like: “Was that a Maren Morris/Zedd reference?”3
4. A New Blue Blood
The college basketball programs with the most success historically are commonly and collectively referred to as the sport’s “Blue Bloods”. The group typically includes Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina with a few other schools added in depending on your time horizon. This year’s tournament marks just the second time since 1980 that none of the aforementioned schools advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. In their stead, however, (4) UConn has a chance to stake its claim to belonging in the club. The Huskies are seeking their fifth National Championship since 1999, which is more than any of Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina have won in that span.
In order to play for the title on Monday, UConn will need to best (5) Miami on Saturday. The deep and balanced Huskies will rely on forward Adama Sanogo and guard Jordan Hawkins to provide a spark on offense while Connecticut’s stout team defense tries to slow down Miami’s stable of talented guards. The Hurricanes’ backcourt is led by Isaiah Wong and Jordan Miller with Nijel Pack and Wooga Poplar providing plenty of support.
Say something like: “UConn won its first four games by an average of 22.5 points. This weekend will be more of the same.”4
5. Meanwhile, in France…
While the Women’s Final Four is chalk full of future professional talent, you’d have to fly to Houston and then get on a connection to Paris to watch the best men’s basketball player in the world outside of the NBA.
Victor Wembanyama is a 7’2” 19-year-old that was born to play basketball. With the ball-handling skills and shooting touch of a guard and go-go gadget arms that make rebounding and blocking shots a walk in the park, some see Wembanyama as the best prospect since LeBron James.
Say something like: “Fries, toast, pairs of windowed-doors and now this guy!? The French just don’t miss!”
If your friend said a turkey, pay up
Sincere apologies to San Antonio, which is more in the middle
Yes it was — Ms. Morris is from Arlington, Texas, which would be an even better halfway point as far as equidistance is concerned.
Say it with some gusto! Vegas thinks you’ll be right.