The Obstructed Final Four Preview
It's here.
The Final Four in College Basketball has arrived. And it is an interesting theme: the Carolinas vs. the Pacific Northwest of Oregon and Gonzaga. Adding on, you have storylines of South Carolina coming out of nowhere and Frank Martin being a hot commodity. Mark Few finally gets over the hump. North Carolina seeking retribution from last year's heartbreak. And Oregon showing they're not football only and can play some stout defense.
Overall, you have two GREAT match-ups with the possibility of having one classic national championship game whoever you get in on Monday night.
So, let's look at the games.
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. GONZAGA, 6:09 PM
HOW THEY GOT THERE:
SOUTH CAROLINA: Beat Marquette, Duke, Baylor, and Florida
GONZAGA: Beat South Dakota State, Northwestern, West Virginia, and Xavier
For the Gamecocks, they were the obvious surprise given they hadn't even gotten to the Sweet 16 before and they decisively handled Baylor in there while taking down their fellow SEC rival Florida to make it to Arizona for the Final Four. They are doing it with a nice mix of shooting and down low posts while playing stout defense.
For Gonzaga, a similar story with great backcourt/forward play while having strong defense themselves. Of course, the Zags finally for all the years of getting to Sweet Sixteens and Elite Eights, finally did it and really did it impressively. I think all the years of going at it tooth and nail against the powers of the basketball world finally paid off as they have taken on all comers and have won these games, including surviving a very tough West Virginia squad.
To me, this game will be a tough fight for both as it will be physical. However, the deciding factors may come down to depth which favors Gonzaga and free throws as both teams have had their difficulties in the tournament of finishing games with more than a few missed free throws. I think Gonzaga will be the team that will be just fine in this while not having to take a cross-country trip like South Carolina had. I think the Zags are too much for the Gamecocks.
MY PREDICTION: GONZAGA 63, SOUTH CAROLINA 57
OREGON VS. NORTH CAROLINA, 8:49 PM
HOW THEY GOT THERE:
OREGON: Beat Iona, Rhode Island, Michigan, and Kansas
NORTH CAROLINA: Beat Texas Southern, Arkansas, Butler, and Kentucky
If there was one team I was very impressed with in the Elite Eight, it was without question Oregon. How they handled the Jayhawks was something of pure defensive beauty. They played physical, got into Kansas's faces, and really took it to them, something Kansas wasn't really accustomed to. And they can play some good ball on the offensive end. If there has been one team in this tournament I have loved in this tournament watching, it has been the Ducks. I don't think losing one of their top players in Chris Boucher has really played an effect to it.
North Carolina came out of one of the toughest regions in recent memory and having to face Butler and Kentucky in the process while having more nightmares with Arkansas. But they still were able to with the numerous talent they have and the ability to shoot the daylights out of the ball. That will help them big time.
For me, I originally had the Heels winning this game when I first knew it would happen, but I am not so sure. I think Oregon's play of defense isn't what North Carolina likes either. They see it with Virginia in the ACC and haven't fared well. I think what Oregon has is far better than Virginia and that will cause major problems for the Tar Heels. Oregon may not have the depth North Carolina has, but I think their defense is good enough to take them down.
MY PREDICTION: OREGON 75, NORTH CAROLINA 72
I will do a preview of the championship Sunday.
Have a good one! Enjoy the games!
-Fan in the Obstructed Seat
