The Final Four teams for the 2023 NCAA tournament are set, and coaches who have studied and competed against them are now sharing their unvarnished opinions. For each of the four teams – Florida Atlantic (FAU), San Diego State, Baylor, and Connecticut (UConn) – two coaches who played against them in the NCAA Tournament and a third coach from their respective leagues were interviewed. Details on the Enemy Lines reports for each team, including their strengths, weaknesses, and strategies are now available.
FAU Owls
The FAU Owls have the longest betting odds to win the national championship. However, this team is trying to become the first team to advance to the national championship game from Final Four as a No. 9 seed or worse. This team has had a strong season so far with 35 wins out of 38 games played this season under coach Dusty May since 2018. The best player on the team is Johnell Davis.
The team has a deep and balanced rotation with a focus on pace and space offense. Their defensive strategy involves extending pressure and preventing transition opportunities. One of their weaknesses in recent form is from behind the arc. In terms of key numbers, there are nine players averaging at least 15 minutes per game in NCAA Tournament.
Miami Hurricanes
The Miami Hurricanes are in a great position to win the program’s first national championship if they can get past UConn. They face unique matchup challenges as UConn is the betting favorite to win it all. The Hurricanes have demonstrated high-end offensive ceiling with potential for a historically great shooting performance. Led by Isaiah Wong, Nijel Pack, and Jordan Miller, Miami is ready to take on any challenge that comes their way.
San Diego State Aztecs
San Diego State Aztecs were a top-rated team with a 30-2 record last year before the tournament was cancelled. They were likely headed to a No. 2 seed in the bracket. But, this year they have taken the opportunity presented to them and made program history by making it to the Final Four. Matt Bradley is the leading scorer of his team while Darrion Trammell has been critical to their ability to survive and advance this postseason. Keshad Johnson is a do-it-all defender whose scoring and rebounding helps maximize the pieces on his team’s roster.
UConn Huskies
The UConn Huskies will be led by Dan Hurley as they head into the Final Four. It’s been quite an emotional journey for Hurley who almost quit basketball 30 years ago. However, he continued to work hard and has now made it to the Final Four with UConn. Adama Sanogo is ranked as the best player in the Final Four. Jordan Hawkins is the player most equipped to score 30 points in any given night while Andre Jackson Jr. holds the keys to a national title for his team.
Ranking of Starting Players in Final Four
This year’s Final Four teams are vastly different in their styles and strengths, marking the first time in NCAA history that no team seeded third or better is in the Final Four. Three out of four teams are first-time participants, making it all an exciting affair.
Adama Sanogo of Connecticut Huskies is ranked as the best player in the Final Four, while Jordan Hawkins of UConn is expected to be able to score big numbers on any given night. Isaiah Wong of Miami is considered as a steady and consistent option who has been a big performer in big spots for two straight postseasons. Johnell Davis brings versatility as playmaker, scorer, and defender to his team.
Norchad Omier of Miami is quietly powering the Hurricanes with his steady production. Matt Bradley of San Diego State Aztecs is leading the scorers with Nijel Pack leading all Miami players in scoring this NCAA Tournament. Darrion Trammell of San Diego State Aztecs has been critical to his team’s ability to survive and advance this postseason while Alijah Martin of FAU did it all for his team in its Elite Eight win over Kansas State.
Vladislav Goldin, also of FAU, dominated inside for his team in the Elite Eight with an epic outing, while Nathan Mensah of San Diego State Aztecs possesses the most blocks among all players in the NCAA Tournament. Nick Boyd of FAU has a green light to shoot, and his shot-making opens up his team’s offensive potential. Andre Jackson Jr. is the ultimate glue guy who holds the keys to a national title for UConn, and Tristen Newton is a combo guard chameleon who can slip into different spots in different games.
Wooga Poplar of Miami came off the bench to lead his team’s comeback and had his best showing in March Madness. Alex Karaban of UConn can also be money as a sometimes-overlooked freshman.
Final Four Details
This year’s Final Four will be hosted at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. No teams from the No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3 seed lines have made it to the Final Four for the first time since seeding began in 1979. This is also the fourth instance where no No. 1 seeds have made it to the Final Four (1980, 2006, 2011). Three teams including FAU, San Diego State, and Miami are making their Final Four debut marking the first time with three “first-timers” since 1970.
The semifinals consist of No. 5 seed San Diego State vs. No. 9 seed FAU and No. 4 seed UConn vs. No. 5 seed Miami on Saturday night in Houston. It’s going to be an exciting game for all teams, and it remains to be seen who will take home the national championship trophy this year.
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