April is just around the corner, which means that the end of this year’s edition of college basketball is fast approaching. However, just because the month of March is ending doesn’t mean that the madness is going with it, as the Final Four for the men’s NCAA tournament has been set and will begin this Saturday at NRG Stadium in Houston. So far this year’s tournament has provided a great deal of shock and excitement up until this point and the Final Four looks to be no different, so without further delay, let’s take a look at who has managed to make it this far as well as a look into what we can expect to see from each team once they’re on the court.

This season’s Final Four is composed of No. 4 UConn, No. 5 San Diego State (SDSU), No. 5 Miami and No. 9 Florida Atlantic (FAU). This group isn’t exactly the Final Four that most people expected, but given how chaotic this year’s tournament has been and the level of basketball these four schools have played, it makes sense for them to be here.

No. 4 – UConn
Road to Houston- No. 13 Iona, No. 5 St. Mary’s, No. 8 Arkansas, No. 3 Gonzaga

Over the last few years if you saw the Huskies in the Final Four it was UConn’s perennial powerhouse women’s team. However, that isn’t the case this time around as UConn’s men’s team, under the leadership of coach Dan Hurley are back in the Final Four for the first time since their championship run in 2014. UConn are the current betting favorites to win the tournament and for good reason, as the Huskies have probably the most balanced lineup out of all four teams, and are a top-15 defensive team blocking off any 3-point opportunities and forcing opponents into the paint and towards junior center Adama Sanogo who locks down the rim and is averaging 9.8 rebounds a game. On the offensive side, Sanogo is also key as he was the Big East’s top scorer and is shooting 66% from the field. UConn are also 19-0 when Sanogo scores over 20 points. With Sanogo out on the floor with support from the rest of UConn’s high-caliber roster, the Huskies will continue to be a force to be reckoned with, and may potentially be on the way toward their fifth NCAA championship.

No. 5 San Diego State
Road to Houston- No. 12 Charleston, No. 13 Furman, No. 1 Alabama, No. 6 Creighton

Before this year, San Diego State had not won a single NCAA tournament game since 2015 and their best result in the tournament up until now was a Sweet Sixteen appearance in that same year. This season, however, has been drastically different seeing the Aztecs make a deep run as they notch their first ever Final Four appearance, after toppling tournament favorite No. 1 Alabama in the Sweet Sixteen. San Diego States’ lockdown defense has been their biggest strength, ranked fourth nationally in terms of efficiency rating. Throughout the tournament, the Aztecs have held their opponents to a 3-point percentage of only 17%, that is a combined 16-for-94 from beyond the arc, they have also held their opponents to an average of only 56.6 points a game, dating back to the start of the Mountain West Tournament. Pair that defensive dominance with the offensive production of guard Darrion Trammell, who scored a game high 21 points against Alabama, as well as the Final Four experience of coach Brian Dutcher and San Diego State has all the tools it needs for a potential championship run.

No. 5 Miami
Road to Houston- No. 12 Drake, No. 4 Indiana, No. 1 Houston, No. 2 Texas

With Virginia being upset by a No.13 seed, and Duke losing in the Second Round, many believed that the ACC would have no representation in the Final Four, let alone a potential champion, Well Miami, under the leadership of Jim Larranaga the head coach of Geroge Mason during their famed Final Four run, took that narrative and tore it right up as the Hurricanes stormed their way into their first ever Final Four. Miami have proven themselves to be an offensive force as they have scored over 80 points in three out of their four tournament games, two of which were double digit wins. The Hurricanes also did this against two of the highest rated defenses in the country in No.2 Texas and No. 1 Houston. This high-powered offense is being led by guard Jordan Miller, whose near perfect performance in the Elite Eight saw Miami into the Final Four, Miller racked up 27 points going 7-for-7 from the field and 13-for-13 from the line. Miami’s offensive production has been key to their success especially in the second half outsourcing their opponents by an average of 11.5 points. This dominant Hurricanes offense provides a good counter to UConn’s highly rated defense and may well carry them to a championship

No. 9 FAU
Road to Houston- No. 8 Memphis, No. 16 Fairleigh-Dickinson, No. 4 Tennessee, No. 3 Kansas State
Every NCAA tournament has its Cinderella story, a lower seeded team who goes on to shock everyone with their performance, this year’s Cinderella has been FAU a No. 9 seed who, before the First Round, had not won a single NCAA tournament game and only had one previous appearance in 2002. Under coach Dusty May, the Owls have really shown who they are, this roster is athletic and energetic on both sides of the ball. On offense FAU focuses on pace, moving the ball quickly and finding an opening. This is made easier by having multiple players who can get the offense going. This offensive unit is led by guard Johnell Davis the Owls leading scorer throughout the entire season averaging 13.8 points a game. In the tournament Davis is averaging 17.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists and racked up a total of 13 points and 8 rebounds in FAU’s Elite Eight win over No. 3 Kansas State. On defense the Owls aren’t afraid to bring the press whether that be at half-court or full-court frustrating their opponents and preventing transition opportunities. While FAU have already made history they have the potential to make even more as they now sit two steps from a national championship and given what they have already shown, it would be unwise to count them out.

Sports Staff Picks (For National Championship): Daniel- Miami vs. FAU, Matthew- UConn vs. FAU, Holden- UConn vs. SDSU, Dylan- UConn vs. FAU, Ryan- Miami vs. SDSU