The Final Four games have arrived. For the men, for the first time since 2008 all four number one seeds made it to the Final Four. For the women, three number one seeds and one number two seed are in the Final Four. The women’s Final Four is tonight, while the men play Saturday night. The championship for the women’s side will be on Sunday afternoon; the men’s championship will be on Monday night. Below, I take a look into each of the Final Four matchups.
Women’s Final Four
No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 1 Texas: Friday at 7:00 pm on ESPN
This might be the best game of the tournament so far. These two teams are a combined 69-6. The SEC members have faced off three times this year; South Carolina won twice, including a win in the SEC Championship: 64-45. I believe South Carolina is going to win for the third time this year and face the UConn Huskies in the National Championship. South Carolina’s balanced scoring attack, with three people averaging 10 or more points, will be too much for Texas to handle.
My Pick: South Carolina, 81-74
No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 2 UConn: Friday at 9:30 pm on ESPN
UConn has yet to win a championship with Paige Bueckers on the team, and I think that will change this year. Both teams have relatively easy paths to the Final Four, with each team having multiple 20 point wins. UConn also has sharpshooter Azzi Fudd to support Paige Bueckers when she is getting double teamed. I think this will be a back and forth game, but UConn will put out in the end and win by 10 points.
My Pick: UConn, 77-67
Men’s Final Four
No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 1 Florida: Saturday at 6:09 pm on CBS
These two teams have faced off earlier in the year, with Florida winning 90-81. Florida won that game without Alijah Martin, one of its key players in the tournament. If Auburn wants to win this game, the Tigers will need to figure out a way to stop Walter Clayton Jr. If Florida wants to win this game, the Gators will have to not let the guards get going on Auburn. I think Florida is going to win, as Auburn’s Johni Broome will likely get into foul trouble early, allowing for the Florida bigs to have great games.
My Pick: Florida, 79-73
No. 1 Duke vs. No. 1 Houston: Saturday at 8:49 pm on CBS
This game will feature the number one offense in Duke going up against the number one defense in Houston. Duke’s versatile offense will be put up to a challenge against Houston’s impenetrable and physical defensive play. Duke has six players that can create their own shots, while Houston will be doubling every screen. The key matchup will be the Blue Devils’ Cooper Flagg going against the Cougars’ J’Wan Roberts. Even with Houston’s defense, I think Duke will pull this one out, as Duke’s scoring will be too much to handle.
My Pick: Duke, 71-63
