Men's and Women's College Basketball Final Four Preview
by Adam Kaul, on Apr 5, 2024 3:30:00 AM
The 2024 Final Four is set for both the Men's and Women's side of college basketball! The Women's side tips of Friday in Ohio and the Men's in Arizona on Saturday. Basketball fans everywhere are in for a show with big matchups on both sides of college basketball. We're here to give you a preview of what this weekend could entail.
Men's Basketball
NC State vs. Purdue
The matchup of DJ Burns Jr vs. Zach Edey is one of the biggest storylines in March Madness. On one side you have an All-American and a team that has only lost 4 games all season. And on the other a team that had to win its conference tournament to make the big dance, and hasn't looked back since.
While Purdue runs its offense through Zach Edey, with a variety of scoring and shooting coming from players like guards Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith. NC State and DJ Burns Jr have captured the heart of the nation and controls the game like no other big man. Guard DJ Horne has been elite in the tourney so far as well.
We're in for a great show in this David vs. Goliath type matchup.
UConn vs. Alabama
UConn has been on a tear looking to repeat as national champs. Their average margin of victory is 27 points so far in the tournament, which is unheard of and another level of dominance. Their team style and spread the ball offense leads to open shots and layups constantly. Along with their stellar defense, it's hard to foresee this team losing.
But Alabama has not gone down for the count in any of their previous matchups. They've faced tough opponents with almost all of their games going down to the wire. Guard Marcus Sears and Forward Grant Nelson have put on a show, leaving it all on the court.
Many predict this will be UConn toughest test and Alabama won't go down without a fight.
Women's Basketball
NC State vs. South Carolina
Besides a nail biter against 4 seed Indiana, South Carolina has look great in the tournament so far. Looking to complete their undefeated season, they take on a red hot NC State team. Led by Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina has elite players up and down their roster. Coach Dawn Staley just earned AP coach of the year and wants to add another national championship to her accomplishments.
NC State has been on fire in the tournament, taking down top seeds Stanford and Texas on their way to the final four. Guard Aziaha James is coming off a 27 and 29 point performance and can't be stopped. They have a deep roster with 5 players averaging double digit points per game on the season.
Will we see South Carolina's perfect season come to an end? Or will they advance to one game away from history.
Iowa vs. UConn
What a matchup we have hear, with two of the best players in the national Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers. Caitlin Clark and Iowa are coming off a tough win against defending champions LSU. With Clark posting a 41 point, 12 assist and 7 rebound game. Guard Kate Martin has also been a reliable second option as well. Iowa looks to avenge their national championship loss last year.
UConn just beat 1 seed USC and JuJu Watkins and looks to build on that to take down another favorite. Paige Bueckers was was doing it all with 28 points, 10 assists and 6 rebounds in the win. Forward Aaliyah Edwards has also been tough to stop from scoring and grabbing rebounds.
Although UConn only has lost 1 more game than Iowa this season, there is a 2 seeded difference. Both teams have just won against great opponents, who will come out on top?