The Final Four Primers

04/01/2022 The Final Four Primers

By: Jeff Yoder

Previewing the 2022 Men’s & Women’s NCAA Final Four Weekend

Here. We. Go. After a March full of madness, the calendar turns to April and the Final Fours are ready to tip. The big weekend of college basketball tips off tonight in Minneapolis before the men’s finale jumps Saturday in New Orleans. Here’s everything you need to know for both events. We’ll crown champions in Monday and Tuesday editions.

 

Women’s Final Four Preview

 

It’s three 1-seeds and the Huskies’ dynasty ready for action in the women’s Final Four. Louisville and South Carolina go head-to-head in tonight’s first matchup that’ll see Naismith Player of the Year Aliyah Boston (South Carolina) with a size mismatch against the Cardinals. South Carolina (33-2) lost just two games all season by a combined three points. They’re 8.5-point favorites. In the nightcap, it’s the defending champs from Stanford against Paige Bueckers and UConn in another unique matchup. Both teams have guards who can shine, but Cameron Brink (Stanford) has the advantage inside. Stanford is a 1.5-point favorite.

 

Recent History: Overall, three of the last five women’s champions are in Minneapolis — Stanford (2021), South Carolina (2017) and UConn (2016). Could it be Louisville’s turn?

 

NCAA Women’s Final Four Schedule

#1 Louisville vs. #1 South Carolina (Fri. 7:00 pm)

#1 Stanford vs. #2 UConn (Fri. 9:30 pm)

Women’s NCAA Championship (Sun. 8:00 pm)

 

Men’s Final Four Preview

 

Blue bloods reign supreme in New Orleans. This year’s men’s Final Four features four teams who rank top-10 teams in all-time championships. The 17 combined titles between UNC (6), Duke (5), Kansas (3) and Villanova (3) makes this the first Final Four in which every team has won a championship. The Jayhawks and Wildcats kick things off on Saturday with KU as a 4.5-point favorite. Kansas star Ochai Agbaji has disappeared a few times in this year’s tournament, and he’s likely the x-factor for KU. Saturday’s second game is the one we’re all eyeing. Duke is a 4-point favorite against Carolina, but the first-ever Tobacco Road rivalry in the NCAA Tournament could be Coach K’s last game. Carolina is 2-1 against Duke this year’s, but both teams have been stellar in the postseason. One of sports’ greatest rivalries just got an upgrade.

 

Recent History: Overall, three of the last six men’s champions are in New Orleans — Villanova (2016 & 2018), UNC (2017) and Duke (2015). Could it be Kansas’ turn?

 

NCAA Men’s Final Four Schedule

#1 Kansas vs. #2 Villanova (Sat. 6:09 pm)

#2 Duke vs. #8 North Carolina (Sat. 8:49 pm)

Men’s NCAA Championship (Mon. 9:20 pm)

 

Soak it up… The last weekend of college basketball is here!

 

Additional Storylines

B/R: The 2022 Men’s NCAA All-Tournament Team Ahead of the Final Four

SI: The Key Factor for Each Team in the Women’s Final Four

ESPN: Duke vs. North Carolina: History, Nostalgia & Betting Tips for Historic Matchup

CBS Sports: Final Four Preview: What to Know About Duke, UNC, Kansas & Villanova

 

Photo: Jack Dempsey / Getty Images