Well, I’d like to say I told you so, but this was just a year where the top teams were the best.
West Regional Final
1 Gators Survived Somehow – I, for one, thought that after 3 Texas Tech barely survived in the Sweet Sixteen, that they had no chance against Florida. However, no, the Red Raiders played great in the 2nd half to lead Florida late – in fact, they were up 10 points with just over 5 minutes to play. The Gators needed a hero or two – well, Walter Clayton, Jr. either scored or assisted on the next 17 points to take the lead at 78-77 with 1:02 to play. Tech was held to just 8 points over that final 5 minutes, and the Gators closed out the game at the foul line to win, 84-79. Florida advances to its first Final Four since 2014, Coach Todd Golden’s first.
East Regional Final
1 Duke Shutdown 2 Bama – After hitting a record 25 three point shots on Thursday, Duke would not let the Crimson Tide win that way. The Blue Devil length closed out shooters and forced dribble drives, and held Alabama to just 35% shooting from the field and 25% behind the arc. G Mark Sears was held to 6 points, which would be ok if anyone else picked up the scoring, but they did not. Duke had 4 scorers in double figures and dominated the glass 41 to 30 – Final Score – 85-65. Duke advances to its 18th Final Four, but Coach Jon Scheyer’s first.
Midwest Regional Final
1 Houston Closed Out 2 Vols – Two friends and competitors squared off in Coach Rick Barnes and Coach Kelvin Sampson, but someone had to win and someone had to lose. In the first half, the Cougars sprinted out of the gates on both ends. The Vols could not hit a jumper, and Houston’s offense was able to dominate in the paint. The game was a laugher at the half, 34-15 – Tennessee’s 15 points was the lowest first half total in NCAA History. In the 2nd half, the Vols made a run. After G Jordan Gainey was able to get hot with 8 straight points, Houston’s lead eventually got cut to 10 points with 5:42 remaining. They could have gotten closer, if Tennessee could hit a free throw. Still, the Cougars would not be denied, as G Emanuel Sharp hit 2 triples to open the game back up to a 14 point advantage. Barnes will have to wait until next year in his 2nd straight Elite 8 loss, this time, 69-50. The Houston returns to the Final Four for the first time since 2021 (also Kelvin Sampson) its 7th in team history.
South Regional Final
1 Auburn Fended Off 2 Sparty – Michigan State has been a slow starter all year, and Sunday was no different, as Auburn (who also has started slowly) ran out to a quick 15 point lead inside the first 10 minutes. Potential Player of the Year F Johni Broome did his part in that run to score 7 straight points and 17 total points in the first half with the Tigers leading, 33-24. Could the Izzo squad respond? Initially yes, but over the course of the half, Auburn kept control of the game, but in the final minute with the Spartans pressing, G Jaden Akins hit a trey at 1:01 to cut the lead to 8. The Spartans got a steal, but couldn’t convert. Then, Auburn only made 1 free throw in that final minute. However, even with another Akins trey in the waning seconds, the Spartans could not make enough plays, despite the steals to get within one possession. Auburn advances to their 2nd Final Four (both under Coach Bruce Pearl) with the 70-64 victory.
As chalky as this tournament has been, it is the first time all four 1 Seeds have advanced to the Final Four since 2008. I tried to warn everyone.
Wegs Pool Update
At this point of the Pool, we finally have some movement as several champions have fallen. I will have to check the history books, but we may hit a record breaking point total with some many people already over 100 points. Here are our standings until Saturday
Standings After Elite Eight
Have a good work week. Next update on Sunday.
Wegs