And then there were two …
Will UConn’s Alex Karaban finish his college career with three championships in four years?
Will Michigan spoil the championship ambitions of former Wolverine Tarris Reed Jr.?
Will anyone hop in the transfer portal tomorrow morning?
A compelling college basketball season wraps up in the next couple of hours. Let’s see what happens …
Beau will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s what Bryan Armen Graham and Nicholas Levine think each team need to do to cut down the nets in Indianapolis.
What do UConn need to do to win?
The Huskies must lean on discipline and patience to avoid getting dragged into a high-possession shootout. They have to execute their off-ball actions cleanly, force Michigan to defend across the full shot clock and get efficient production from star center Tarris Reed Jr inside. If they can limit the Wolverines’ second-chance points and drill timely threes, the upset is there for the taking. BAG
Hit shots. UConn run a diverse offense that forces opponents to guard the entire floor, from catch-and-shoot threes to deep post touches. They are unlikely to score consistently over Michigan’s size, so perimeter shooting becomes critical. Their off-ball movement will make Michigan chase, but it ultimately comes down to shot-making. NL
What do Michigan need to do to win?
Impose their physicality and depth from the outset. Michigan must turn their size advantage into second-chance points, push the pace when possible and protect the paint through 7ft 3in Spaniard Aday Mara while letting playmaker Elliot Cadeau cook. If they defend UConn’s motion for full possessions and get production from across the roster, their balance and athleticism should win out over 40 minutes. BAG
Michigan can beat opponents in multiple ways. In Saturday’s win over Arizona, they scored 26 points off turnovers and dominated the paint. They should hold a similar frontcourt edge here. If Mara, Lendeborg and Johnson control the paint on both ends, Dusty May’s team will be well placed to cut down the nets. NL
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