We have our first two Final Four teams heading to New Orleans. And they’re both blue-bloods.
In the first Elite Eight matchup Saturday, …
We have our first two Final Four teams heading to New Orleans. And they’re both blue-bloods. In the first Elite Eight matchup Saturday, veteran-laden Villanova leaned on its experience to fend off surging Houston. Coach Jay Wright has a chance for another national title after winning championships in 2016 and 2018. Collin Gillespie was a part of that ’18 team and he’s still suiting up for the Wildcats thanks to a fifth year of eligibility due to the NCAA’s extra COVID year. In the second game, Duke continued its surging success in these NCAAs with an emphatic rout of Arkansas. The fact that the Blue Devils put on an offensive clinic against arguably the best defensive team remaining is a statement that says this team could be a favorite to win the national title in coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final season. « There’s nothing like being a Regional champion, » Coach K said on CBS. « It’s a dream come true, » Duke star Paolo Banchero added. A look at the biggest winners and losers from Saturday’s Elite Eight games: The Blue Devils (32-6) looked dominant in a 78-69 drubbing of an Arkansas team that had just knocked out the top overall seed, Gonzaga. As good as the Razorbacks’ defense is with its lateral quickness, Duke rose to the occasion with better offense from its more gifted 1-on-1 players. Duke got scoring from just about everybody Saturday night, with nearly six players in double figures led by marksman AJ Griffin’s 18 points. The X-Factor was undoubtedly big man Mark Williams, who had 12 points,12 rebounds and three blocks. It took a second-half wake-up call after the lead was cut to five points five minutes in.
