The Final Four Set to Shine in San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas is ready to host the highly anticipated Final Four of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. This year marks a historic moment as all four teams in the semifinals are No. 1 seeds for the first time since 2008. The powerhouse teams making their way to the Alamodome are Florida, Duke, Houston, and Auburn.
In an exciting first matchup, Florida will meet Auburn for the second time this season. Earlier, the Tigers bested the Gators 90-81 in February. Following that game, Duke takes on Houston in the second semifinal. The Gators earned their spot after a thrilling Elite Eight comeback against No. 3 Texas Tech.
Duke has been particularly impressive, dominating No. 2 Alabama by a score of 85-65 and showing their defensive skills. The Blue Devils managed to limit Alabama’s effective shooting, which had set a tournament record for three-pointers just prior. Even though Duke star forward Cooper Flagg had a subpar game, his teammates stepped in, showing that the team can stay strong even under pressure.
Houston, coming off a dominant win against No. 2 Tennessee, utilized a strong defensive strategy, stifling the Volunteers to win 69-50 and reach their second Final Four under coach Kelvin Sampson. Auburn, led by coach Bruce Pearl, also secured their spot after edging out No. 2 Michigan State with a final score of 70-64. Star forward Johni Broome turned in a strong performance with 25 points and 14 rebounds, proving crucial for the Tigers.
The SEC has made its mark this season, managing to place multiple teams in the Final Four for the fifth time, even if some fans had hoped to see more than two teams represent the conference. The league has undoubtedly solidified its standing as one of the strongest in college basketball history.
As the tournament progresses, it’s clear that this year’s teams have proven their worth, and fans across the country are eagerly awaiting the action to unfold in San Antonio.
