The history of the Final Four has been changed as two teams try to get into the title game
The Semi-Promisal Sweet Sixteen: How Many Top-Two Teams Made It to the Final Four? How Many Superplayers Made It?
In the 44 years since the NCAA started seeding every team, this is the first time none of the top-three seeds has made it to the Final Four. But that’s just one of the superlative facts about this year’s tournament.
5 San Diego State knocked off Alabama, one of the top teams in the country.
The most convincing sign was the 52-26 victory the Lobos had over Utah, extending their defensive prowess to limit the Utahns to 0-for-20 shooting from three-point range.
After failing to win a game in the first round of March Madness the past two years, the Connecticut program was expected to pick up some steam this time around.
The assist-to-turnover ratio is solid for Miami, as it has the top- scoring offense among the four teams. The team’s stellar guards are known for running the fast break, and senior Jordan Miller and junior Isaiah Wong were recently named the Atlantic Coast Conference’s player and player of the year, respectively.
The best Division I record in the country was turned in by the Owls at 35-3. They were nationally ranked and didn’t lose a single game on their home court this season. FAU also won the title in Conference USA — which put two teams into the final of the National Invitational Tournament.
The home game is usually sold out, with around 2,200 fans watching. Of the adjustment to the NCAA’s huge stage, head coach Dusty May said, “I still don’t think our guys are going to be fazed by the 70-plus-thousand [fans], the lights, the attention, because they love ball. They love to compete. And they have a lot of faith in their teammates.”
The Underdog Story: Darrion Trammell and the Aztecs in Semi-Leptonic Finals against Creighton and San Diego State
The moment didn’t seem too big for Darrion Trammell, after the Aztecs squeaked out a win over Creighton. I feel like the opportunity was set for me because of everything I’ve been through.
He will try to convert the same attitude into a win. Like FAU, San Diego State also has role players who can score. Both teams are in the top 25 nationwide in getting points from their bench.
A spot in the final is guaranteed for either San Diego State or FAU, which would be the first time in the series that both have made the final. Whatever the outcome, it will keep hopes alive for an underdog story to have the happiest of all endings.
And after a March Madness which has thrown up surprises around every corner, to have no No. 1, 2 or 3 seeds in the penultimate round seems only fitting – it is the first time since seeding was introduced 44 years ago that this has happened.
In the opening round against Memphis, a basket with 2.5 seconds on the clock gave the team the lead, and they proceeded to win the next three games.
The Bluejays guard was called for a foul on the Aztecs guard at the very end of the game. As Trammell jumped up for the shot, the replay showed that his left hand was on his right hip.
Martin Luther Mens Final Four Preview (MMR Final Four Preview): The Miami Hurricanes, the Longhorns and the Miami Beach Shocks
The team has thrived off its excellent defense, holding Creighton to 2-for-17 shooting from behind the three-point arc, including 0-for-10 the second half, just two days after holding Alabama to 3-for-27.
San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher said that the team has always talked about making the next step but never believed in themselves.
The Hurricanes entered the tournament in a sour mood, as they suffered a damaging home loss to Florida State and went 3-4 in January.
But ever since the start of the tournament over two weeks ago, Miami has been almost unstoppable, blowing away opponents and winning its first three games by a combined winning margin of 37 points.
The Longhorns held a 38-33 lead at the half and a crucial 37-17 run in the final 13 minutes helped propel the Hurricanes to a famous 88-81 victory.
Larraaga remembers many of the shocks that happened over the years, and the start of the season has been crucial in their run through the tournament.
“It’s the same exhilaration, just the jubilant attitude, because you just love when your players accomplish a goal they set out before the season,” Larrañaga said.
The first day of practice we talked about what we want to accomplish and how we are going to accomplish it every single day. The guys have done that.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/01/sport/2023-march-madness-mens-final-four-preview-spt-intl/index.html
The First Five Years at UConn: On the Promise of a Great Future: Achieving the Univised Champions in the Elite Eight
However, ever since their first tipoff, the team has been lights out. The average margin of victory for the first two games were 19.5 points, and then 28 points in the Elite Eight.
As the only team left in the competition who has a title to its name, the pressure rests on UConn’s shoulders to use experience and pedigree to once again hoist the national championship trophy aloft for the fifth time in the school’s history.
