(1) Baylor vs (2) Houston
Line: Baylor -5
O/U: 135
Time: 5:24 PM
The first match-up of the Final Four features two teams who are both representing the state of Texas. Baylor enters this game with the anticipation that they will be back at 100%. They have gotten better every single game but have not put a full 40 minutes of great basketball together yet. If Baylor is meeting their full potential, they are forcing a ton of turnovers, trapping the ball, running in transition, and shooting a high percentage from 3. Their guard trio of Butler, Mitchell, and Teague will shoulder the offensive responsibility. Flagler and Mayer are the two sparks that can also create offense right away at any point in the game. Baylor just needs to play their brand of basketball and they will be headed to the National Championship.
Houston is back in the Final Four for the first time since 1984. Houston will need their key players to all step up and play a phenomenal game to move on. They enter this game with a trio of guards that do a lot of similar things that the Baylor guards do. Quentin Grimes and Marcus Sasser will need to knock down their 3’s and Jarreau will have to control the game and lockdown whoever he is assigned to guard. Both teams feature good defenses and are very guard-oriented. Houston’s trio is not as skilled as Baylor’s but if they can knock down shots early and often, look for this to be a rock fight at the end.
(1) Gonzaga vs (11) UCLA
Line: Gonzaga –14.5
O/U: 146.5
Time: 8:44 PM
The offensive juggernaut of Gonzaga is looking to keep the momentum rolling heading into this Final Four game. They have been feeding off the outstanding play of their big man Drew Timme who has been unstoppable in the post all season. They seem to have an answer for every defensive scheme thrown at them. The main reason for that is their unselfishness, Gonzaga has so many offensive weapons that they can beat you in transition, from 3, down low, or the mid-range. They have reached a new level with their defensive efficiency and have been creating easy offensive for themselves off turnovers. Look for them to dominate right from the tip and keep their foot on the gas the whole game if they execute Mark Fews game plan.
UCLA finds themselves in the Final Four after being featured in the First four match-up against Michigan State. They have had a roller coaster of a year but got hot at the right time and have a shot at a national championship appearance. The number one key for this Bruins squad is to have Johnny Juzang knocking down shots. He is their main weapon on offense followed by point guard Tyger Cambell and Jaime Jaquez Jr. They have had an ability to make other teams play at their pace all tournament and will really need that to be the case tonight. If they can force Gonzaga into taking tough shots and disrupting the flow of their offense that is their best chance at winning. The key match-up will be Cody Riley on Drew Timme in the post because if Timme has his way, the Bruins will be in serious trouble.