Sixty-eight set out, four are left standing, and wouldn’t you just know it, it’s the cream of the college game who are heading to Texas.
We were told to expect upset after upset on the road to this weekend’s Final Four at the Alamodome – in fact there were just four officially designated shocks.
The upshot is that for just the second time in NCAA history, the four No.1 seeds from the four brackets have made the Final Four, with Auburn and Florida tipping off in the first semi-final on Saturday followed by Duke against Houston. The final is on Monday.
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Pick #1: Houston +5.5 vs Duke @ 4/5 Pick #2: Walter Clayton Jr Over 20.5 points – Florida vs Auburn @ 5/6 Pick #3: Florida to win NCAA @ 11/4Cougars’ defence can take down Flagg
Duke are the even-money favourites to win a sixth NCAA men’s title on Monday night – but it’s entirely possible they won’t actually be there to have that chance.
Duke’s famed offence up against Houston’s supreme defence is just one of those mouthwatering prospects that the Final Four throws up, and fans at the Alamadome should be in for a treat.
All eyes, inevitably, are on Cooper Flagg, the Blue Devils’ do-it-all superstar and No.1 pick in this year’s NBA draft.
He came into March Madness under an injury cloud but has built up his minutes as Duke have eased their way through the rounds, pouring in 30 points in a Sweet 16 success over Arizona and another 16 against Alabama in the Elite 8.
What Flagg, and his Duke team-mates, have not done yet, however, is come up against a defence quite as good as Houston’s.
They are physical, they are relentless and they have kept three of their four opponents to 60 points or fewer, including Tennessee who they beat 69-50 in an Elite 8 masterclass.
Houston can put the brakes on Duke with Flagg yet to come up against a defender quite as masterful as Joseph Tugler. Take the safe option and back the underdog Cougars to cover a 5.5-point spread.
Clayton to dazzle in Gators’ glory ride
Before Houston and Duke’s young stars suit up, Florida take on SEC rival Auburn.
The Gators are 2.5-point favourites for this one and have a head-to-head edge having beaten Auburn 90-81 in Alabama in February. When Auburn, incidentally, were top-ranked in the country.
Florida have had to work harder to get here – they saw off champions UConn by just two points and pipped Texas Tech 84-79 in the Elite 8 – but that’s 10 straight wins for this hugely gifted group.
They have been given a timely lift by the news that Johni Broome isn’t practising because of an elbow injury and the Auburn staff insist he won’t be 100 per cent come Saturday.
The Gators have match-winners everywhere in the frontcourt with Walter Clayton Jr expected to rack up 21 points or more, something he has done in three of four matches so far.
Florida can get the better of Auburn and square up well to either Duke or Houston. Take the 11/4 Gators to land NCAA glory for the first time since 2007.
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