LAS CRUCES, N.M. — For the first time since 2008, all four number one seeds will take part in the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament. In that year, the Final Four also took place on April 5 and April 7 in San Antonio, just like this year. The teams remaining are the Auburn Tigers, the Duke Blue Devils, the Houston Cougars and the Florida Gators.
Auburn has put together one of its best seasons in program history. They currently hold a record of 33-5, in large part due to the phenomenal play of senior forward Johni Broome. The 6’10” Plain City, Florida, native is averaging 18.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. Auburn is the only team in this year’s Final Four that has never made a national championship game.
Duke recorded another dominant season, currently sitting at 35-3. Having Cooper Flagg, the projected number one NBA draft pick, has helped. Flagg is averaging 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. Kon Knueppel has also proven to be an NBA talent by posting averages of 14.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and a steal per game. Knueppel is also shooting lights out from three, shooting at a 40.1% clip, and an absurd 91.2% from the free-throw line. The Blue Devils are on the search for their first national championship since 2015.
Houston has made a number of deep NCAA Tournament runs, but have never been able to get over the hump. They have never won a national championship, but this could be the year. Head Coach Kelvin Sampson has an impressive track record, but so do the other coaches in the Final Four. Emanuel Sharp will need to be a big contributor if Houston wants any chances of winning. Sharp is averaging 12.7 points and three rebounds per game. He is also shooting 41.5% from three.
Florida has a record of 34-4. They recently pulled off an epic comeback against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. After trailing 73-64 with less than four minutes in regulation, the Gators went on a 20-6 run to secure an 84-79 win. This was thanks to Walter Clayton Jr. having a masterful performance of 30 points, four rebounds and two blocks. Senior guard Alijah Martin played quarterback at North Pike High School in Summit, Mississippi, and has showed that toughness on the court. In his first year with the program, he is averaging 14.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.
At New Mexico State University, students were caught up filling out brackets at the start of the tournament as well as debating matchups and awaiting stunning upsets. The games are a time of mixed emotions, startling triumphs and heartbreaks that fuel discourse on campus. Students drawn to the high seeds ended up being correct since all one seeds are participating in the Final Four.
A popular campus pick to win it all is Duke because of the talent Copper Flagg displays. NMSU student and Duke fan Jeffery Jacquin has a strong belief that Duke will get the job done.
“Cooper Flagg when stronger and healthy, Duke wins it,” Jacquin said.
NMSU student Austin Jaramillo has similar opinions. While not being a Duke fan like Jacquin, he believes they will win it all because of head coach Jon Scheyer and the dominant play of Cooper Flagg.
“Duke will go all the way when having Cooper Flagg on the side,” Jaramillo said.
The Final Four is one the most entertaining events for basketball fans to watch. This means more pressure on the standout athletes to perform at the highest level. Many questions also arise among fans regarding their favorite teams and players. Which player will have the characterizing minute of the Final Four? Which coach will make an impact in the end? Which teams have the best overall to take the trophy? These are questions that rule discussions, fueling the enthusiasm the tournament brings.
Eventually, one team will rise over the rest, carving its title into college basketball history.
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