In the continuity of an “Elite Eight” already atypical and even quite simply historic, since for the first time in the history of the “March Madness” no #1 seed passed the third round, the ” Final Four” of the tournament will also be incredibly refreshing: three of the four teams still in contention for the national title discover this year the final square!
Because after Florida Atlantic (#9) this Saturday which validated its ticket at the expense of Kansas State (#3), it is Miami (#5) And San Diego State (#5)by having Texas (#2) And Creighton (#6) respectively, who finished on Sunday to form this trio of newcomers that we will therefore find at the end of the week at the “Final Four” in Houston, in the company of Connecticut (#4) already winner of four titles in the past ( 1999, 2004, 2011 and 2014).
On the side of the Hurricanes, salvation is as usual passed through the attack: a second half at 51 points (!) in particular to catch up with a delay of 13 points a quarter of an hour from the end, under the impetus from the winger’s (literally) perfect match Jordan Miller, author of 27 points at 7/7 on shots and 13/13 on free throws! When the Longhorns only scored 6 points in the last five minutes (88-81)!
” We didn’t want to go home right away » explained the Swiss army knife of Miami. ” We remained united, we continued to believe in it. Everyone played well and showed tireless perseverance, an unflinching will to reach the next round. »
Conversely, the Aztecs won in a context that is absolutely familiar to them, they who hold the sixth best defense in the country this season: a very closed match offensively, during which neither team exceeded the 60 points scored nor the 40% shooting success. And after 39 minutes and 59 seconds of an incredibly indecisive bitter battle, it was in the last second that everything was decided, while the two teams neutralized each other on the poster board (56-56). Ryan Nembhard made a mistake on Darrion Trammellwhich with a 1 of 2 on the penalty line secured this narrow victory (57-56).
” Here we are. We finally reach this last step » then savored Brian Dutcher, the coach of these Aztecs who will therefore also play the first “Final Four” in their history. ” I’m sure no one was expecting us here, but we believed it. It was not easy to get there, but now that we are there, we might as well try to go all the way! »
Thus, one year after a mythical “Final Four” composed of three of the legendary “Blue Bloods” of the university landscape (North Carolina, Duke and Kansas) and Villanova, this 2023 edition will therefore take place this time under the sign of novelty and of renewal. The sign that a new era, marked in particular by the emergence of the NIL and the portal of transfers that balance the forces, is undeniably part of the NCAA.
