You ready for the madness?
As the final week of the 2024 season comes to an end, we’ll see what teams have enough to make a run at a national title. Who’s cutting the nets? Which teams have what it takes to make the Final Four, and who has the potential to be the Cinderella story? Those are the questions we’re about to try to answer.
the Final four predictions
This is where dreams come true. It takes four wins a row to make it to this point, and not every team is built for it. UConn, Houston, Purdue and Arizona are the top 4 teams right now. Out of those top 4 teams, I think Arizona and Houston have a legitimate chance at making it to the Final Four. Uconn comes into this tournament looking to defend the title as they took it home last year in 2023. Back-to-back national titles is a very hard thing to accomplish, and I don’t see them making it past the Elite 8. Purdue on the other hand is a team just like Arizona. Huge upside last year and both of them get upset early on. I think they both bounce back in this tournament and make a run, but I also don’t think Purdue is making it past the Elite 8 and I wouldn’t be surprised if they lost sooner.
Arizona
I can see the bounce back run from the Wildcats. The main concern I have (as everyone else I’m sure) is the fact that they keep losing to worse teams and a lot of people are probably going to write them off rightfully so. Yes, they lost in the conference tournament, but I think that’s a good thing for a team like Arizona. When you look at the bracket and see the teams they could potentially match up against, I feel pretty good about them making it to at least the Elite 8. Being as well rounded as they are, with a better defense than they had last year give me the deep run.
Houston
Yeah, I know Houston making it to the Final Four, What a surprise. To be completely fair though, they should. This is one of the best teams in the nation, if not the best (depending on who you ask). Coming into this tournament 30-4 with one of the best defenses in the league holding opponents to only 57 ppg. Outside of how good they are on paper; this just seems like Houston’s year. The consistency they’ve had the past 5 years. Five bids, and a final 4 run in 2021, I think they’re due. And if they don’t win it all, they should be able to get to the final 4.
Tennessee
Can the Vols finally do it? A program and coach that has done so much but can’t stop getting labeled as a team that can’t get over the hump. The best college program to never make the Final Four. I think this is the year they do. With the way the bracket is set up they might be able to walk their way into the final four. Coming in as 1st in the SEC with a 24-8 record, who’s going to stop them? If they happen to match up against Purdue in the Elite 8, give me the Vols.
Auburn
Analytically the Tigers are one of the best teams in the nation. One of the deepest teams in the tournament that does everything right on the basketball court. One of the best defenses, they shoot the ball over 40% and grab rebounds with the best of them. Holding opponents to less than 70 points while averaging over 80 ppg. Looking at the bracket they do have a much easier road from past years, and I feel really good about that. With the depth and the fire power this team has I wouldn’t be surprised if they won it all.
Who’s cutting the nets?
Now obviously I can see any of the Final Four picks winning the whole thing, but we only get one winner. With that being said, I don’t think Houston is going to get it done this year. Everything points towards to them and that’s what scares me. Like I said, off paper it does seem like it’s their year to do it, I just don’t think they’ll finish the job. And if they happen to get upset early on it’ll just make it that much easier for Tennessee. On the other side we’re looking at Auburn and Arizona. This is a matchup I would really love to see. Arizona on the bounce back run and the Final Four being in Phoenix just seems right. But this Auburn team can flat out ball. To be honest, I think whoever wins this game will win it all. And if Auburn has to win against Uconn, I think they’ll be running way too hot. Now imagine, two teams, who’ve never won a National Championship matching up for the National Championship. Give me that. Either way you chalk it up. If Houston beats Tennessee in this scenario, give me Auburn with the upset to bring home the title for the first time ever.
Auburn Tigers National Champions +2200
Cinderella stories
Everyone loves the underdog. We see it almost every year, where a lower seed team gets hot and goes on the run of a lifetime. This year’s bracket does have a couple teams I can see doing just that. Florida, a team that doesn’t have the lowest seed but a team that some people might sleep on. The one thing about the Gators, is they’re a team that could very easily lose their first game. On the flip side, if they can catch momentum, I believe they’ll make a run for it. When it comes to a true Cinderella team, New Mexico is the team you’ll have to look out for. Rolling into this tournament after taking down some good teams to win the conference title. Everything is clicking for them. If they keep the momentum and put pressure on teams, I think they have a great chance at making a pretty deep run as an 11 seed.