INDIANAPOLIS — The road ends in Indianapolis, where ESPN’s college basketball team is on-site breaking down all the action.
Follow along as they track everything in the first game of Saturday night: UConn-Illinois.
Final Four live tracker
Arizona-Michigan preview
What will decide the game?
Jeff Borzello: Points in the paint.
As college basketball trends more toward bigger lineups and dominance around the rim, Arizona and Michigan are leading the charge. Both teams have size, are physical and look to assert themselves on the offensive end through sheer aggression. Arizona ranks fifth in the country in paint points per game, second in 2-point attempts per game, third in free throw attempts per game and is top 10 in offensive rebound percentage. Michigan is second in 2-point field goal percentage, third in 2-point percentage defense and is top 20 in both paint points per game and second-chance points per game.
Against Arkansas in the Sweet 16, Arizona had 60 points in the paint and 30 from the free throw line. The Wildcats then outscored Purdue by a combined 28 points in those areas in the Elite Eight. On the other side, Michigan put on a transition exhibition against Tennessee, which is something a team with the Wolverines’ size is not typically capable of doing.
Can either team establish itself around the rim? That’ll be the key.
Myron Medcalf: Perimeter pressure.
Both teams’ post attack will thrive according to what happens on the perimeter.
Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries are each at their best when they’re driving downhill, drawing extra pressure and creating open looks for their teammates, so Michigan’s efforts to stall an Arizona team that’s excellent around the rim will have to start with the Wildcats’ offensive facilitators.
On the other side, Arizona won’t be able to send more help to mitigate Michigan’s paint threats if the Wolverines are a threat from the perimeter: Elliot Cadeau, Trey McKenney, Nimari Burnett and Yaxel Lendeborg have all made at least 37% of their 3-point attempts. If the Wolverines are off, though — they made just 28% of their 3-point attempts in their three losses this season — the Wildcats’ job will be easier.
Final Four predictions
UConn-Illinois
Borzello: UConn, 74-72
Medcalf: UConn, 77-73
Arizona-Michigan
Borzello: Arizona, 82-80
Medcalf: Michigan, 78-76
Source: Read Full Article
