RADIO
8. Michigan State
The Spartans aren’t supposed to be here. No team that was unranked in the preseason and had a top-eight overall NCAA Tournament seed has ever made the Final Four since the tournament expanded in 1985. It’s the teams who were unranked and struggled at times in the season who have made runs to the title, most notably Villanova in 1985 and UConn in 2023. The Spartans are a deep team and they are tested. The bad news is that they have run into a team exactly like that with more size.
7. Alabama
Alabama put together one of the finest performances ever in a regional semifinal. They are ranked this low because the Tide draw the most efficient team in the Tournament. That isn’t to say that Alabama can’t beat teams like this — they did beat Auburn on the road this year and knocked off Tennessee — it’s just saying that the matchup isn’t great and Duke can keep up with the Tide if they turn this into a combination of a three-point shooting contest and a track meet.
6. Texas Tech
The Red Raiders are battle-tested and it looks like the Big 12 (16) was better than most pundits gave credit. They are the only team who beat Houston in conference play. Tech has the size up front to tangle with Florida and the defense to play with anyone. If Alex Condon’s ankle isn’t healed, Texas Tech has a shot to make the Final Four for the first time since 2019.
5. Florida
Even if Condon’s ankle is a non-issue, the Gators might have the toughest test of the top seeds to make it to San Antonio. Just ask Houston how good Texas Tech can be. Of particular concern to the Gators should be Texas Tech’s guard defense. Florida can handle JT Toppin and Darrion Williams even with a hobbled Condon. The defense of Elijah Hawkins could be a problem.
4. Tennessee
The Vols smoked Kentucky when it really mattered — during the NCAA Tournament. It’s impossible to beat a good team three times in one season. Tennessee proved that they are one of those good teams. The Vols are very similar to Houston. Whichever team can create the most open looks will likely win this game. It could be played in the 60s.
3. Houston
Houston’s struggles with Purdue don’t scare me. This was essentially Houston’s 11th true road game of the season. Indianapolis is less than an hour from the Purdue campus. The Cougars played tough defense and hit the tough shots. The Milos Uzan/Zakai Zeigler feud is going to be fun to watch tomorrow!
2. Auburn
Johni Broome struggled against most of the taller players that he faced last season. That hasn’t been the case this season. He handled himself admirably against Michigan’s two 7-footers. Tahaad Pettiford is the X-factor for Auburn. The emergence of the freshman has added another dimension to the Auburn offense and could lead them to its first national title in basketball.
1. Duke
This isn’t just about Cooper Flagg. It’s about how well Duke played without Flagg and when Flagg struggled to find his footing in November. It’s looking increasingly likely that Duke just made the rest of the ACC look bad because they are so good. It’s going to take a nearly perfect game from one of these teams to topple Duke.
