68 teams started in the competition but, finally, after a long month of buzzer beaters and bad beats, the Final Four is here. The teams remaining: Auburn, Virginia, Michigan State, and Texas Tech. Only one 1-seed team in Virginia, MSU is a 2, TTU a 3, and Auburn a 5. The two matchups are Auburn vs. Virginia and Michigan State vs. Texas Tech.
Both of these games look to be extremely exciting.
Let’s start with the Auburn, Virginia matchup. Auburn has been one of the stories of the tournament, bringing elite guard play paired with an unmatched defensive intensity that has dominated teams such as North Carolina and Kentucky. They get the majority of their offensive production from the backcourt pairing of Jared Harper and Bryce Brown.
Harper is quick on the ball, making the defense respect his jumper, but knowing he can beat most any defender off the dribble. Brown is a player who spaces the floor more than his counterpart.
The biggest factor in Auburn’s potential victory is the season ending injury to Chuma Okeke. Okeke tore his ACL during the game against Kentucky and played a major role in the Tigers’ team.When he went down in the game, the Tigers had a bigger purpose to play for. Auburn beating Kentucky really came down to supporting their teammate and learning to play without him.
Virginia looks to completely flip the script on their historical loss to 16 seeded UMBC last year in the first round of the tournament. The Cavaliers are lead by their sharpshooting guard tandem in Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome as well as their future lottery pick forward, De’Andre Hunter. The team is rounded out by freshman guard Kihei Clark and junior center Mamadi Diakite.
Guy and Jerome are both sharpshooters who play great on and off the ball. Kyle Guy is the veteran leader of the team, who is determined to redeem both himself and the Virginia program from last years tournament.
De’Andre Hunter is a tenacious defender, with an offensive upside shown in his NBA level 3-point shot. He is 6'7", but can play in the post on both sides of the ball and his versatility adapts well to the new smaller style of play in the league.
Ultimately, Virginia’s experience will trump Auburn’s momentum stemming from Okeke’s injury. Virginia looks to be the favorite to win the tournament, and this matchup against Auburn is a big step in that goal.
Moving onto the other matchup between Michigan State and Texas Tech. This matchup matches up similarly to the Auburn-Virginia game. Michigan State brings an experienced team lead by point guard Cassius Winston. Winston averaged 18.8 points and 7.5 assists, a true leader of a basketball team. He has declared for the draft, but hopes to make his final season with the Spartans something special.
MSU took down the best team in the tournament, Duke, in 68–67 absolute thriller capped off by Winston’s double-double. Once they proved themselves against such a high caliber team like the Blue Devils, MSU can compete with anybody. Their problem is matching up shooting wise with an elite perimeter team in Texas Tech.
Tech is lead by the tenacious coaching of Chris Beard. Beard has invested his entire heart and soul into this team, shown by his passionate antics on the sideline. The Red Raiders are lead by the hometown hero from Lubbock, Texas, Jarrett Culver. He fits into the typical 3 and D player in the NBA, but his history of erratic shot choices on offense will need development.
Texas Tech thrives on the defensive end. The team ranks 3rd in defensive efficiency and brings a swarm defense to any opponent. Culver himself is an elite defender but the team’s center, Tariq Owens, is the true rim protector of the team. Owens is a top 10 shot blocker with 92 blocks on the season heading into tournament play.
Many would say that Michigan State is the better team because of both the players and Tom Izzo’s tournament experience; however, Texas Tech’s intensity and commanding defense will be too much for the Spartans to compete with.
Virginia and Texas Tech are the better teams left, regardless of seeding. This potential matchup would put the 1st and 3rd defensive teams against each other. It will be a low scoring game, so definitely bet the under.
