There are only four teams left in this year’s national championship.
After two weeks, 64 games have been played, three number one seeds have been eliminated, all of the brackets on ESPN have been busted, upsets of Michigan State, Virginia and Kansas, Purdue, all contribute to why the tournament is labeled ” March Madness.”
Let’s look back on the journey the four teams have been on for the past two weeks.
Villanova Wildcats – The Wildcats opened the tournament with a crushing victory over UNC Asheville. The Wildcats blew by Iowa and Miami easily to advance to the Elite 8 against the overall one seed Kansas. The game went back and fourth and the Wildcats were led by Senior Ryan Arcidiacono who scored 13 points in a 64-59 victory. The Wildcats will match up against an Oklahoma team who crushed the Wildcats this past December.
Oklahoma Sooners – The Sooners stormed into the tournament with pivotal victories against CSU Bakersfield and VCU. In the Sweet Sixteen, the Sooners cruised by Texas A&M in a 77-63 victory. The Sooners were pinned against Oregon a number 1 seed, however the Sooners star Senior Buddy Hield, is no stranger to big performances in big games. Hield went eight for 12 from the three-point line and scored 37 points in a complete domination victory 80-68. The Sooners will face an intriguing Villanova team, that they routed in December.
North Carolina – The Tar Heels come into the Final Four as the favorite to cut down the nets in Houston. The Tar Heels came into the tournament with a heated victory over Florida Gulf Coast. The Tar Heels blew by Providence and Indiana to advance to the Elite Eight with selfless team play. The Tar Heels had to defeat their ACC rival Norte Dame to advance to the Final Four. Seniors Brice Johnson and Marcus Paige combined for 38 points in a blow out style victory over the Fighting Irish. The Tar Heels will face a fellow ACC team in the final four: Syracuse.
Syracuse Orange – The Orange have become the first ten seed to advance to the Final Four. The Orange had pulled off upsets against Dayton, Middle Tennessee and Gonzaga to advance to the Elite Eight against ACC powerhouse Virginia. The Orange had fallen behind to Virginia from the beginning. The Orange found themselves down 14 at one point. Freshman Malachi Richardson led the comeback against Virginia with 23 points in a comeback victory 68-62. The Orange will match up against North Carolina a team who has defeated them twice already this season.
Prediction – The Tar Heels will cut down the nets April 4th, in Houston over the Oklahoma Sooners in a thriller. Expect a huge night from Senior Marcus Paige both offensively as well as defense as he will likely draw the assignment of guarding Buddy Hield.
