The Race for the Trophy

Winning programs and fresh faces battle for the championship.

SPORTS+BKC-KENTUCKY-UNC+9+RA

Photo by: TNS

SPORTS BKC-KENTUCKY-UNC 9 RA

After several upsets in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball tournament, and only 164 perfect brackets remaining after the first round, we now have the final four teams: University of South Carolina (USC), University of Oregon, Gonzaga University, and University of North Carolina (UNC). The percentage of people who correctly predicted the final four was 0.01 percent.

Gonzaga and South Carolina are making their first Final Four appearance, and they have ruined many people’s brackets on their journey throughout March Madness.

“The biggest upset has been South Carolina v. Duke. They beat a team that a lot of people had in the championship, and [South Carolina] has gone on a run since,” said senior Sina Khoshnevissan.

Oregon has also gone on a winning spree which allowed them to make their second Final Four appearance. Oregon’s Jordan Bell helped lead their team to a win over number one Kansas in the Elite Eight where Bell had 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 blocks. Oregon, a three seed, has been a stand-out team becoming some people’s favorite to win the tournament.

“Oregon can win it all. If they can beat UNC, they could easily beat Gonzaga or South Carolina,” said Khoshnevissan.

UNC has a lot of experience with being in the Final Four. This is their 20th Final Four appearance and is the most popular choice to win the national championship. Roy Williams, head coach at UNC, has coached in five national championships and his experience is why the Tar Heels are the favored team in the tournament. UNC, junior Justin Jackson, has helped lead the team through the NCAA tournament averaging 19.8 points per game.

“I think UNC has the best chance of winning. They play really well as a team and don’t turn the ball over usually,” said junior Connor Weeks.

Gonzaga, a number one seed, has had many winning seasons in the past, but they have not excelled in the NCAA tournament having never reached a Final Four until this season. The team went 36-1 in the 2017 season and is now favored to beat seven seed USC.

USC has made an unusual run, as their last tournament win was in 1973.. Many had the Gamecocks losing in the first round of the tournament to number 10 Marquette. The team will be able to show their true talent when facing their first number one team, Gonzaga.

Both Final Four games will be played April 1st.