The NCAA Tournament made history this season when, for the first-time ever, all four No. 1 seeds arrived to the Final Four. The question now begs which will wear the crown Monday night when they cut down the nets? To find that answer, let’s take a look at how each of the four teams has performed this season.
Top ranked North Carolina has out achieved the other three top seeds in games played inside this tournament. That’s confirmed by their 4-0 ATS mark, the only team left standing to remain unscathed (against the pointspread) throughout the tourney. One look at the total points scored and allowed in this event corroborates their standing: North Carolina 372-271, Memphis 341-278, Kansas 291-231 and UCLA 287-208.
On the season, statistically speaking, Kansas is the only team that ranks in the Top 10 in three major categories, namely Rebound Margin, Defensive Field Goal and Offensive Field Goal Percentage. Memphis and North Carolina occupy two spots and UCLA one.
Weighing the four teams on a pointspread scale this campaign, only North Carolina has dressed up an underdog, just once (+1 at Duke, win 76-68). As favorites North Carolina is 33-2 SU and 24-10-1 ATS, including 14-1 and 11-3-1 laying less than ten points. UCLA follows at 32-3 SU and 20-14-1 ATS as chalk, including 14-1 and 9-5-1 as single-digit favs. When forced to lay the lumber, Kansas counters at 33-3 SU and 19-15-2 ATS, including 5-2 and 2-4-1 when laying less than doubles. Memphis wraps up the pack at 37-1 SU and 16-19-3 ATS as a favorite, including 9-1 and 6-4 when not forced to lay doubles.
The bottom line is these teams are, indeed, the four best in the land and they each bring a lot to the table. Will three times, and a smothering defense, prove to be a charm for UCLA? Or will Memphis’ five returning starters (and freshman phenom Derrick Rose) deny the Bruins their dream? Can North Carolina wake up ready to play outside their home state for the first time in five weeks or will Kansas click their heels and return to Lawrence with the prized possession? One thing is for sure. If this tournament were a card game, we’d be looking at four aces as we prepare to go all-in.
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