Five games left to decide a National Champion, this season has flown by and March has certainly delivered some memorable moments, yet the teams are dwindling. Today two teams will secure a spot in the Final Four, first up it will be a first-round rematch as San Diego State takes on Creighton, while Miami will play the lone Top-2 seed left in Texas. Let’s dive into the matchups.
#5 San Diego State Aztecs (+2) vs #6 Creighton Blue Jays
2:20 PM ET on CBS
San Diego State will face Creighton for the right to go to the Final Four, if that doesn’t encapsulate this Tournament I don’t know what does. San Diego State has been built of defensive toughness on their way to the regional final, they took out the top overall seed in Alabama and are looking to be the first Mountain West team to ever make the Final Four. Creighton is looking to make their first Final Four as well. The Blue Jays have taken care of business thus far and have looked like the team that was expected to win the Big East in the preseason.
Creighton has a complete starting five; Ryan Kalkbrenner will anchor the defense. Ryan Nembhard and Trey Alexander can create shots off the dribble, while Baylor Scheierman will rain threes upon your defense. San Diego State is a defensive-oriented team, the Aztecs have guard creation with Darrion Trammell and Matt Bradley, but the defense is the story. This team has elite wings that apply great pressure, while Nathan Mensah is one of the best rim protectors in the sport. Creighton is a team that has a lot of scorers, which is key and is why they’re favored here. That said, they will have to play this one in the mud and that’s where the Aztecs like to live and why I believe the Aztecs will head to the Final Four.
Pick: San Diego State 67 Creighton 62
ATS Pick: San Diego State +2
#2 Texas Longhorns (-3.5) vs #5 Miami Hurricanes
5:05 ET on CBS
The Final Elite Eight game is one of the more fun matchups you can get as the red-hot Hurricanes hope to beat both Texas teams. Texas faced the mid-season coaching change, but Rodney Terry has rallied his team in time for a potential title run. Miami is having its most successful season in program history as they won the ACC title and now are in the Elite Eight. That said for both, winning this one takes a great season to legendary.
Miami has the appropriate underdog-type of mentality to have success. Nijel Pack and Isaiah Wong take and make big-time tough shots. Norchad Omier is undersized but cleans up everything, while they have good role buy-in, this is what makes them a tough out. Texas has the more complete team, they have terrific guards in Marcus Carr, Jabari Rice, and Tyrese Hunter, who all provide different attributes. Timmy Allen is a good modern-day four, while this team has depth galore. Much like a couple of weeks ago, Texas is the obvious best team playing in Kansas City and will be lifting up another Trophy in the T-Mobile Center, this time that of a regional title.
Pick: Texas 82 Miami 67
ATS Pick: Texas -3.5
YTD: 348-317