For the sixth time in its history, the NCAA Final Four is taking place in New Orleans. Who will follow in the footsteps of Michael Jordan and his famous winning shot for North Carolina (1982)? Or those of Carmelo Anthony and the fantastic epic of Syracuse (2003) or those of Kentucky by Anthony Davis (2012)?
Only number 1 still standing, Kansas seems to be the favorite for all of his work this season, especially after the announcement of the serious injury of Justin Moore in the opposite camp. But Villanova are the most experienced team and will also have their say.
To read: Presentation of Duke – North Carolina
Kansas
JOURNEY
32-6 in the regular season
First round — Victory against #16 Texas Southern (83-56)
Second turn — Victory against #9 Creighton (79-72)
Sweet 16 — Victory against #4 Providence (66-61)
Elite Eight — Victory against #10 Miami (76-50)
COACH : Bill Self
For his fourth appearance in the last four, Bill Self has revenge to take against Villanova, and then another on fate, after the cancellation of the tournament in 2020. Already crowned in 2008, for his very first accession to this level of competition, he then suffered two painful setbacks, against Kentucky in 2012 and Villanova in 2018. A new ring this season would confirm the monumental work done by Bill Self in Kansas over the past 19 years, with 16 Big 12 titles in particular.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Remy Martin
Transfer from Arizona State during the offseason, Remy Martin had a hard time finding his rhythm in his new colors during the season, between injuries and complicated adaptation, with a tiny 9 points per game (far from his 19 on average among Sun Devils). But since the arrival of spring and March madness, the former scorer has found some tinsel with a 20-point game to beat Creighton, then another 23 to jump the Providence hurdle. Behind Ochai Agbaji, even David McCormack who are the first offensive options of Kansas, he is clearly the second blade, and the X factor of his team.
TENDENCY
In Ochai Agbaji, an All-American with 19 points on average, and David McCormack, an insider with 10 points and 7 rebounds on average, Kansas has a high-quality outside-inside axis, and great experience since the two players are in their senior year. Capable of scoring both from afar and aggressively towards the circle, Agbaji will be one to watch like the milk on the fire. Likewise, Remy Martin is not a partridge of the year after spending five seasons between Arizona State and Kansas.
With four senior players, one junior and two sophomores in their tight rotation, the Jayhawks are a squad that knows what it’s doing and plays with high confidence. That said, Kansas had moments of great tension against Creighton and Providence, the fault of swings in concentration that can be crippling at this stage.
But Bill Self and his flock will above all have to quickly find a balance around his three major elements, knowing that the “supporting cast” composed of Jalen Wilson, Dajuan Harris, and Christian Braun can also make a difference, as was the case in Elite Eight to pass the hurdle of the ‘Miami Canes. It was Braun who played the blaster with a dunk and a 3-pointer on two consecutive actions to launch the Jayhawks’ furious comeback, from -6 to +26!
Deprived of the 2020 tournament because of the pandemic, when it was among the favorites, Kansas has a new chance to add a fourth title to its record at NOLA. Agbaji, McCormack and Braun were already part of the adventure two years ago and more mature and more seasoned, they could well succeed in bringing it to its long-awaited end this weekend.
VILLANOVA
JOURNEY
30-7 in the regular season
First round — Victory against #15 Delaware (80-60)
Second turn — Victory against #7 Ohio State (71-61)
Sweet 16 — Victory against #11 Michigan (63-55)
Elite Eight — Victory against #5 Houston (50-44)
COACH : Jay Wright
Double champion at the head of Villanova, Jay Wright is one of the big names in current university coaching. Holder of a rather incredible record of 20 victories and 3 defeats in the final tournament (since 2015), he will participate in his fourth Final Four. A fixture since 2001 at ‘Nova, he also amassed five Big East regular season titles, plus four Big East titles. In short, he knows the way to the top.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Collin Gillespie
Top scorer of his team at 16 points per game, plus 3 assists on average, Collin Gillespie is unquestionably the boss of Villanova. In his fifth college season, having taken advantage of the exceptional opportunity to return after the Covid pandemic canceled the 2020 edition of the final tournament, the veteran Cats point guard is a general on the boards. Member of the champion team in 2018, he is the perfect relay for his coach in the field. And an ultra clean player in addition, with 41% at 3-pointers and more than 90% at throws. Watch out for his knife shots at the end of the match!
TENDENCY
With Villanova, nothing very spectacular, as always. You win by defending, in a university version of “Grit & Grind”! As proof, his career in the tournament with four victories under 61 points against. In the Top 20 Best Defenses in the Nation and in the Top 10 Best Offenses, the Wildcats are the very definition of a balanced team. And experienced with it!
Experience will play a huge role for the Wildcats, who have no less than six players aged 22 or older. In this case, the Gillespie – Samuels doublet points to five NCAA seasons in the legs and this baggage is likely to weigh heavily in these cleaver matches, especially if the match is tight (as is often the case). In this frequent scenario, Villanova has a strong argument: an almost historic 83% in throws.
But the absence of second-highest scorer Justin Moore, who suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury against Houston, stunned the group, and ‘Nova will have to rely on senior fullback Caleb Daniels to provide his attacking side. A native of New Orleans, Daniels will certainly be keen to shine on his return home. But the correctness of the bench could play tricks on the Wildcats who pull a lot on the rope with a very reduced rotation.
With his cushy rhythm, 345th out of 358 in the NCAA this season, Villanova knows his playing identity well, and that has also allowed them to never be behind in the score in the second half of the tournament. But we will have to play tight, and come out with the perfect match to reach the final.
HOURLY
Kansas – Villanova (0h00) on BeIN Sports 1 and ESPN Player
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