NCAA Final Four Preview

It makes for a fun month doesn't it? March madness always finds a way to get people to tune in to see what, or who, is going to be the newest cinderella team in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. This crazy dance started with 64 teams three weeks ago. Now here we sit, the final weekend of the College Basketball season, and we have four teams left standing. North Carolina, Oklahoma, Syracuse or Villanova will be the one team holding the national championship high over there heads. Before we break down the games themselves, lets look at a few other numbers to throw at you.

This marks the first time since 2010 that we've had only one top seed in the final four (North Carolina this year). Syracuse is the 10 seed, the first time ever that a 10 seed has gotten here. Syracuse makes its 6th apperance in the final four (first final four appearance since 2013). North Carolina tastes the final four for the 19th time ever (first time since their national title win in 2009). Villanova playing in the final four for the 5th time (first time since 2009). Oklahoma is playing in its 5th final four as well (first time since 2002). That's some of the raw numbers, now lets see how these teams matchup against each other.

North Carolina is the only top seed left in the big dance. They come in with a 32-6 record on the year, beating Florida Gulf Coast, Providence, Indiana and Notre Dame to get to where they are now. They were the top team in the ACC during the regular season and haven't played a close game at all in the tournament. Brice Johnson, Joel Berry II, Marcus Paige, and Justin Jackson have been carrying this team this year, making people realize why this team has been so dominating all season long. North Carolina had been one of the deepest, most dominating teams all year long, thus deserving a seat at the table. This marks the 19th time that North Carolina has made the final four.

As for the Syracuse Orange, they had a different route to the final four. This marks the 6th final four appearance by the Orange in the final four, their first since 2013. Syracuse got here by beatind Dayton, Middle Tennessee, Gonzaga and Virginia They have become the first 10th seed ever to make the final four. The Orange come in with a 23-13 record, getting here on the strength of wins over Dayton, Middle Tennessee, Gonzaga, and a huge 68-62 over No. 1 Virginia. Syracuse dropped both of its games against North Carolina this season, losing 84-73 on Jan. 9 and 75-70 on Feb. 29.

Pick:
Solly: North Carolina
Steve: Syracuse
3rd Mic Dan: Syracuse
Jeff: North Carolina

The other final four Matchup has Villanova taking on Oklahoma. Oklahoma has made the Final Four for the 5th time in school history, last one coming in 2002. They got to the dance by going 29-5 during the regular season and 16-2 in conference. To get here, Villanova had to get through UNC Asheville, Iowa, Miami, and Kansas.

Oklahoma has gotten here for the 5th time as well, this being their first trip since 2009. To get here, the Sooners had to get through the regular season by going 25-7 on the year and 12-6 in conference. Once in the tournament, the Sooners had to get past CSU Bakersfield, VCU, Texas A&M and Oregon in order to face Nova for the right to play for a National Title. Part of what makes this game so interesting is the fact that both teams, on defense, hold the opposition to a .408 shooting percentage from the floor.

Pick:
Solly: Villanova
Steve: Oaklahoma
3rd Mic Dan: Oklahoma
Jeff: Oaklahoma