Final Four predictions: Expert picks for men's NCAA Tournament
The men's Final Four is set, and for just the second time in NCAA history, we've got all four No. 1 seeds duking it out for men's college basketball supremacy.
While many people have expressed discontent given the lack of Cinderella teams this year, there is a lot to like about this Final Four. For one, these were the best four teams all season long, and they are now the ones with a shot at a national title. They've been rewarded for their efforts, and now us lucky fans get to see the best of the best play for the ultimate title on the biggest stage. Secondly, now we get to see the best players go head-to-head. Seriously, who wanted a Final Four that didn't feature Johni Broome or Cooper Flagg? The answer is nobody.
However, with such talented rosters going at it, the eventual victor is anybody's guess. Here's who experts from around the internet predict to win it all.
Men's Final Four predictions
Blake Toppmeyer, USA Today Network: Houston will beat Florida in national championship
Blake Toppmeyer writes, "I predicted this outcome on Selection Sunday, and I’m not fading it now, not after how strong Houston looked while smashing Tennessee. I could make compelling cases for Duke, Auburn or Florida winning the crown, so why am I picking Houston? I gravitate to experience in the NCAA Tournament, and I’m further pulled toward playmaking guards. Houston and Florida are filled with experience and shot-making guards. Florida’s Walton Clayton Jr. is a clutch bucket waiting to happen. Nobody defends better than Houston, and the Cougars go five-deep with players who can score in double figures. I’m tempted to flip my pick to Florida, because of how well Clayton is playing, but I’m riding with Houston’s defense, its experience and Sampson’s coaching."
ESPN: Duke to defeat Houston in semifinal
Both of ESPN's experts believe the Blue Devils' Final Four matchup against the Houston Cougars is theirs to lose. They write, "This is going to be an incredible contrast of elite offense versus elite defense, featuring one of the youngest teams in the country versus one of the oldest teams. The problem for the Cougars is that the Blue Devils also have an elite defense to go with their historically good offense."
Bleacher Report: Florida and Duke to win
In regards to the Florida-Auburn game, Bleacher Report writes, "While this one could go either way, Clayton Jr. and the nation's best backcourt should be able to do just enough to fuel the Gators into the national championship game."
However, on the other end, Bleacher Report does not believe Duke vs. Houston will be quite as close. They write, "Duke has kept its last three opponents to 33.7 percent from three-point range, including an Arizona team that shot 12-for-26 from beyond the arc. Defensive-minded games like these will be a significant change for Duke's nation-leading offense. However, the Blue Devils will have a significant advantage if they can limit Houston to play within the three-point line, where they currently hit 48.5 percent of their shots—10 percent lower than Duke. No matter the game style or tempo, Duke has more than enough firepower to secure its spot in the championship game."
Watch men's Final Four games on Fubo (free trial)
When is the Final Four?
Both Final Four games will take place on Saturday, April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio (all times Eastern).
- Florida vs. Auburn, 6:09 p.m. | CBS | Fubo (free trial)
- Duke vs. Houston, 8:49 p.m. | CBS | Fubo (free trial)