2023 Men’s Final Four Preview

Just like that, weโ€™re down to The Final Four. The NCAA Tournament has been one for the ages and weโ€™re destined to see more madness in Houston this weekend. Three of the four participating teams are making their first-ever Final Four appearance. UConn on the other hand is here for the fifth time in program history and amazingly, has won the National Championship in all of the previous four. Here is a quick Final Four Preview to get you ready for the tip in Houston.

2023 Men’s Final Four Preview

The 2023 Final Four tips off this Saturday, April 1st at 6:09 PM Est from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

This yearโ€™s group of teams is unlike any weโ€™ve seen in recent past. Itโ€™s the first Final Four without a No. 1 seed since 2011 where, yup, UConn was the highest-seeded team and champion as a 3 seed. Even more astounding, or awesome if you ask this college hoops junkie, is that this is the first time since 1970 that weโ€™ll have three first-time participants in the Final Four.

Men’s Final Four Tale of the Tape

None of these teams got here by accident, however. All four finished the regular season ranked inside the Top 25 in the AP Poll. All four are currently ranked as top 25 teams according to Kenpom. And outside of the least surprising team UConn, the other three all won their regular season conference championship. FAU and SDSU won their conference tournaments as well.

South Region: San Diego State 31-6 (15-3, 1st – Mountain West)

The Aztecs pride themselves on intense and physical defense. While boasting a true 9-man rotation that had only one player (Matt Bradley) average over 10 points per game this year. They stake claim to the best defensive rating (4th nationally) among the Final Four teams according to Kenpom. They also have held their four NCAA Tournament opponents under their season scoring totals by a ridiculous average of 22.5 points.

My hometown Aztecs were the benefactor of a very polarizing foul call against Creighton in the Elite 8. But no matter how theyโ€™ve gotten here, they are built for those types of situations and have the most experienced group of the remaining teams.

How they got to Houston:

RoundOpponentWinning Score
First12 College of Charleston63 – 57
Second13 Furman75 – 52
Sweet 161 Alabama71 – 64
Elite 86 Creighton57 – 56

East Region: Florida Atlantic 35-3 (18-2, 1st – C-USA)

Hoot Hoot! The Owls of FAU were one of just four teams to win 30+ games during the regular and conference championship season. They are riding an 11-game winning streak ahead of the Final Four. And just like San Diego State, they play with a legit 9-man rotation.

The pride of Boca Raton is a very difficult guard as they roster five players who shoot over 34% from deep. They have three guys who average over 10 points per contest. And although they play with four guards on the floor most of the time, they are a top 10 defensive rebounding team on the year. Johnell Davis may be recognized as their top player, but Florida Atlantic is a true team that can beat you in many ways.

How they got to Houston:  

RoundOpponentWinning Score
First8 Memphis66 – 65
Second16 Fairleigh Dickinson78 – 70
Sweet 164 Tennessee62 – 55
Elite 83 Kansas State79 – 76

Stay up to date with more sports news from Bleacher Nation HERE

Midwest Region: Miami 29-7 (15-5, 1st – ACC)

Watch out, here come the Hurricanes! Miami came into March losers of two of their last four games, and out of an ACC that most would agree had a down year. Defense is not one of their strong suits, but Miami can blow past you in a hurry if youโ€™re not careful. The Hurricanes averaged 79.6 points per game this season and have become a full-fledged level 5 storm during the tournament. Theyโ€™ve dropped 85+ in their last three games; with the last two coming against defenses ranked 13th or better according to Kenpom.

Miamiโ€™s offense is led by the foursome of Isaiah Wong, Jordan Miller, Nijel Pack, and big man Norchad Omier who all average over 13 points/gm. At the eye of the storm is head coach Jim Larranaga who in my opinion, has the most awesome nickname โ€œeveryoneโ€™s favorite grandpaโ€. This team isnโ€™t big, and they donโ€™t play very good defense, but that hasnโ€™t stopped them yet.

How they got to Houston:

RoundOpponentWinning Score
First12 Drake63 – 56
Second4 Indiana85 – 69
Sweet 161 Houston89 – 75
Elite 82 Texas88 – 81

West Region: Connecticut 29-8 (13-7, 4th – Big East)  

The Huskies are back in the Final Four and looking to stay perfect in winning the Championship when making it there. UConn’s 2022-23 season has been streaky, to say the least. But their strong finish entering March had them as a popular pick to make a deep tournament run.

UConn entered the madness with all the measurables of a title contender. Theyโ€™re 3rd in AdjO and 11th in AdjD according to KenPom. They ranked top 35 in both points for and points against on the year. Dan Hurley’s team plays with a truly deep rotation, which seems to be a common thread of this Final Four. Lastly, in line with past Huskies championship teams, they have an outstanding guard in Jordan Hawkins while also having the Big East player of the year in big-man Adama Sanogo.

How they got to Houston:

RoundOpponentWinning Score
First13 Iona87 – 63
Second5 Saint Mary’s70 – 55
Sweet 168 Arkansas88 – 65
Elite 83 Gonzaga82 – 54

Weโ€™ve never seen a Final Four quite like this and I for one absolutely love it! Enjoy the games from Houston this Saturday and Monday.

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Brian is just a regular guy whose first passion was sports. He's either been playing, watching, now working in, and recreationally betting on sports for over 30 years. His favorite sports to bet are Football (NFL/NCAAF), College Basketball, and the NASCAR Cup Series. In addition to being a content contributor here at Bleacher Nation, Brian co-hosts the Angle of Pursuit Nascar Betting Podcast , & is also the FantasyLifeApp breaking news moderator/manager.

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West Virginia men's basketball head coach Bob Huggins appears to have said a homophobic slur during an appearance on 700 WLWโ€™s Bill Cunningham Show on Monday afternoon. The long-time leader of the Mountaineers program, Huggins used derogatory language when speaking about...

San Diego State Hits Epic Buzzer Beater to Send Team to National Championship

MARCH JUST GOT MADDER! San Diego State down was down 71-70 to the Flordia Atlantic Owls with just 10 second left on the clock when Nathan Mensah snatched the defensive rebound. Instead of calling a timeout, head coach Brian Dutcher...

Alabama’s Brandon Miller Declares For 2023 NBA Draft

Alabama forward Brandon Miller has declared for the 2023 NBA Draft after a dynamic freshman season for the Crimson Tide. Miller won SEC Tournament MVP and Freshman of the Year in the conference. He helped lead Alabama to its first...

Caitlin Clark Wins AP Player of the Year

To nobodyโ€™s surprise, Iowaโ€™s Caitlin Clark was named the AP Player of the Year this morning. She received 20 of the 28 votes with last seasonโ€™s winner, South Carolinaโ€™s Aliyah Boston, garnering the other eight. Of note, voting for this...

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Back in Chicago, Hobey Baker Update, Sunday Change, Hull Had CTE, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Hey, Blackhawks fans! We have a little actual Blackhawks hockey to talk about on this fine, crisp, chilly Wednesday morning. The Blackhawks practiced in Chicago on Tuesday afternoon as they get back from their break during the 4 Nations Face-Off....

How to Watch Utah State Aggies vs. San Jose State Spartans: Live Stream or on TV

The San Jose State Spartans (12-15, 5-10 MWC) will look to break a three-game losing streak when they hit the road to play the Utah State Aggies (22-4, 12-3 MWC) on February 19, 2025 at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.In its...

Saint Mary’s (CA) vs. Portland: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Saint Mary's Gaels (23-4, 13-1 WCC) will attempt to build on a three-game win streak when they host the Portland Pilots (10-17, 5-9 WCC) on February 19, 2025 at University Credit Union Pavilion.In its most recent game, Saint Mary's...

Boise State vs. New Mexico: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Boise State Broncos (17-8, 9-5 MWC) will attempt to build on a five-game home win streak when they square off against the New Mexico Lobos (22-4, 14-1 MWC) on February 19, 2025 at ExtraMile Arena.In its most recent game,...

Washington vs. Rutgers: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (12-14, 5-10 Big Ten) will attempt to turn around a three-game losing streak when they visit the Washington Huskies (13-12, 4-10 Big Ten) on February 19, 2025 at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.On Saturday,...

SEC Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | February 20

The Alabama Crimson Tide and the Missouri Tigers square off for one of three games on Wednesday's college basketball slate with SEC teams. Want best bets information? You've come to the right place.How to Bet on SEC GamesBest SEC Spread...

SoCon Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | February 19

The Wednesday college basketball schedule includes five games with a SoCon team in play. Among those games is the Mercer Bears playing the Citadel Bulldogs. Here are our recomendations for the best bets on action throughout the conference.How to Bet...

Patriot League Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | February 19

The Lafayette Leopards and the Holy Cross Crusaders hit the court for one of four games on Wednesday's college basketball schedule with Patriot League squads. Want best bets information? You've come to the right place.How to Bet on Patriot League...

Horizon League Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | February 20

The IU Indianapolis Jaguars versus the Detroit Mercy Titans is the only game on the Wednesday college basketball slate that has a Horizon League team. If you look below, you can see our best bets for that conference action.How to...

ACC Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | February 20

The SMU Mustangs versus the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is one of three games on Wednesday's college basketball schedule that features an ACC team in play, and we've got best bets tips for you.How to Bet on ACC GamesBest ACC...

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