College GameDay: Picks for NCAA Tournament Final Four
ESPN brought the College GameDay crew into the studio to preview a gigantic day of college basketball, as the sport readies for the NCAA Tournament Final Four. First, Villanova will attempt to defeat Kansas to begin the night. Then, the main event — a rivalry that spans generations takes center stage, as North Carolina looks to end Duke‘s run, and Mike Krzyzewski’s career.
While Kansas head coach Bill Self has said himself that every bit of the media’s attention is on Duke vs. North Carolina, and rightfully so — that doesn’t mean the Wildcats and Jayhawks are allowed to take the night off.
One player that will have the night off — Villanova star guard Justin Moore, who tore his Achilles after the Wildcats’ Elite Eight matchup against Houston. Moore averaged the second most points per game this season on Jay Wright’s squad with 14.8 while averaging the most minutes on the team. The injury hurts Villanova even more knowing that Wright mostly plays six players in a typical rotation.
Even without Moore, the Wildcats are a formidable team. Still, Kansas will be a tough team to beat, as they look to get back to the NCAA Tournament title game.
Afterwards, a historic game will take place when North Carolina and Duke face-off in the Final Four. Considered the greatest rivalry in college basketball — and by many, the greatest in all of sports — the lights have never shined brighter on the matchup.
Additionally, an added level of intensity joins the rivalry as it takes place at the Final Four, with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s career hanging in the balance. As you can see, there’s a myriad of storylines to follow entering Saturday’s game.
Duke enters the Final Four after winning the West Region of the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Devils defeated CSU Fullerton, Michigan State, Texas Tech and Arkansas on their way to New Orleans.
On the other hand, North Carolina cut down the nets as the victors of the East Region. The Tar Heels defeated Marquette, Baylor, UCLA and Saint Peter’s to get to the Final Four.
Now, the team separating Duke and North Carolina from the championship game is their greatest rival. You couldn’t write a better story in Hollywood. Here’s who College GameDay thinks gets the victories, advancing to Monday’s title game.
College GameDay: Picks for Final Four
Villanova Wildcats vs. Kansas Jayhawks: “I have Kansas winning this game in a close one because of Villanova’s ability to be able to control the tempo of the game,” LaPhonso Ellis said. “Because of their ability to play at such a slow pace, Kansas’ ability to be able to get second-chance opportunities will be the difference in this game.”
“I’ve got Kansas winning this game,” Seth Greenberg said. “I think what’s going to happen [is] they’re eventually going to wear down this Villanova team. You talk to those five guys, they’re going to have to play 35, 38 minutes a game. Who comes off the bench? Is it [Chris] Arcidiacono, is it going to be Bryan Antoine? A lot of pressure on those guys that haven’t played.”
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Duke Blue Devils: “I have North Carolina in a close one, 80-75. Because it’s a close one, all of a sudden the experience of North Carolina is going to trump the overwhelming pressure on Duke to perform late. And I think that’ll be the difference in the game.”
“[If] Armando Bacot stays out of foul trouble, I think they keep Duke out of the lane,” Greenberg said. “41 points per game in the lane in the NCAA Tournament. I don’t think you do that against North Carolina. At some time, RJ Davis and Caleb Love happen.”
CGD Crew Picks:
LaPhonso Ellis: Kansas, North Carolina
Seth Greenberg: Kansas, North Carolina