After two weeks of play, the NCAA tournament is in its final week. The Final Four will soon begin, as the remaining four teams look to battle it out to win the national championship. It has not been an easy season for any of the four remaining teams. Each team has faced some form of adversity, but now, these teams have a serious chance to win the national title.
It has been nearly three years since the last “normal” tournament took place. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 tournament was cancelled, and in 2021, limited numbers of fans were allowed to attend games that all took place in Indianapolis. This year, the tournament has gone back to seeing thousands of fans in the stands and has not disappointed.
This year's NCAA tournament has seen memorable individual performances, unlikely upsets, and nail-biting games. These reasons have become a massive draw for Basketball fans across the nation as a reason to watch the tournament. Anything can happen in March, no matter how well or poorly a team has performed in the regular season. Despite the tournament's usual showing of unlikely triumphs, the ending has been anti-climactic.
This year's final four features’ powerhouses Duke, North Carolina, Villanova, and Kansas. All four programs have won multiple national titles and are always contending for more. Villanova and Kansas will face off in game one in a rematch of 2018 final four. After the conclusion of game one, arch-rivals North Carolina and Duke will face off for the first time in the NCAA tournament.
West Regional: (2) Duke Blue Devils
Record: 32-6
Semi-Final Opponent:
Coach: Mike Krzyzewski (42nd season)
Location: Durham, NC
NCAA Titles: Five (Last: 2015) Conference: Atlantic Coast
Why they could win:
In Mike Krzyzewski's final season, the Blue Devils are more motivated and talented than any remaining team. The Blue Devils, led by All-American Paolo Banchero and ACC defensive player of the year Mark Williams, average eighty points and six blocks per game. Duke's impressive roster and strong leadership has been evident this year, as the Blue Devils have proven their ability to win with their backs against the wall.
East Regional: (8) North Carolina Tar Heels
Record: 28-9
Semi-Final Opponent: (2) Duke Blue Devils
Coach: Hubert Davis (1st season)
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
NCAA Titles: Six (Last: 2017) Conference: Atlantic Coast
Why they could win:
The Tar Heels have been red hot lately, playing as well as any team in the nation to make their 21st appearance in the final four. Armando Bacot has earned a school record of twenty-nine double doubles headed into New Orleans. Ironically, the Tar Heels were a bubble team just two months ago but now have a chance to win the national title under first-year coach Hubert Davis.
South Regional: (2) Villanova Wildcats
Record: 30-7
Semi-Final Opponent:
Coach: Jay Wright (21st season)
Location: Villanova, PA
NCAA Titles: Three (Last: 2018) Conference: Big East
Why they could win:
Villanova has experienced talent, as their starting five consists of only upperclassmen. The leader of the Wildcats is Big East player of the year and All-American Collin Gillespie, who is only one piece of the puzzle. Supporting Gillespie is All-Big East player Justin Moore and Franklin native Jermaine Samuels who averaged 17.5 points to lead Villanova to the final four. The Wildcats have tough competition but have the experience to put them over the edge.
Midwest Regional: (1) Kansas Jayhawks
Record: 32-6
Semi-Final Opponent: (2) Villanova Wildcats
Coach: Bill Self (19th season)
Location: Lawrence, KS
NCAA Titles: Three (Last: 2008) Conference: Big 12
Why they could win:
Perhaps more than any team in the nation, the Jayhawks are battle-tested, regularly playing, and defeating the best teams in the country. All-American Ochai Agbaji has led the Jayhawks to a Big 12 regular season and tournament title, as Kansas earned a number one seed in the NCAA tournament. The Jayhawks are the only one seed remaining in the tournament and will be a serious threat to win their first national championship since 2008.
Villanova and Kansas will kick off the final four on April 2nd at 6:09 PM in a rematch of the 2018 final four. After the conclusion of game one, arch-rivals North Carolina and Duke will meet in the NCAA tournament for the first time at 8:49 PM. The winners of these games will then meet on April 4th at 9:20 PM for the national title.