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The Final Four is set as the NCAA Tournament enters its final weekend. The national semifinals will take place on Saturday at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
The No. 4 seed UConn Huskies (29-8) take on the No. 5 seed Miami Hurricanes (29-7) in the second semifinal. The game tips at 8:49 p.m. ET and can be seen on CBS. It will also stream on March Madness Live.
The Huskies are making the sixth Final Four appearance in program history, while Miami has never made the Final Four before this year. UConn has won four national championships.
UConn coach Dan Hurley has never coached in the Final Four before. It is his fifth season at UConn. Miami coach Jim Larrañaga led George Mason to a shocking Final Four in 2006. He also led Miami to the Elite Eight last season.
Game preview
UConn has been on fire in the NCAA Tournament, blowing out all four of their opponents thus far.
They trailed at halftime to No. 13 Iona before storming out to win by 24 (87-63). The Huskies then stomped No. 5 seed Saint Mary’s 70-55 with another big second half. UConn cruised past No. 8 seed Arkansas 88-65 in the Sweet 16. The Huskies then finished off No. 3 seed Gonzaga with a shooting barrage to win by 28 (82-54). They are plus-90 in scoring differential in the tournament.
Their offense has been dominant. They average 78.8 points per game, which is top 40 in the nation. They are the highest-rated team in KenPom, which also ranks them third in adjusted offense.
They move the ball well, too, with 17.6 assists as a team. Adama Sanogo led the way in the first two rounds, scoring 28 and 24 points respectively. Sophomore Jordan Hawkins has been the driving force in the second two games, scoring 20-plus in both.
Sanogo could have a tough matchup against the size and strength of Miami’s big man Norchad Omier.
Miami has played multiple styles on its way to the Final Four.
The Hurricanes escaped in a 63-56 win in the first round against No. 12 seed Drake. They then crashed the glass and shot well to dominate No. 4 seed Indiana 85-69. In the Sweet 16, Miami’s Nigel Pack made seven 3-pointers to lead them to an 89-75 upset of No. 1 seed Houston. In the Elite Eight, Miami struggled from 3-point range but used a second-half rally to come back from 13 points down and beat No. 2 seed Texas 88-81.
Guards Jordan Miller and Isaiah Wong have the talent to attack a defense from the perimeter and at the rim. Omier is a huge presence inside and competes for every rebound.
Miami can fill it up. It is fifth in adjusted offense. The Hurricanes have scored 85-plus in three of their tournament games and have averaged 79.6 ppg this season. That is 27th best in the nation.
This should be an up-and-down affair with high-scoring guard play.
Game odds
Spread: UConn (-5.5)
Total (O/U): 149.5
Moneyline: UConn (-250) vs. Miami (+205)
Game prediction
This one could come down to who makes more 3-pointers and who wins on the glass, cleaning up the misses from deep.
Miami has shown it can compete with any team and any style. UConn has not been tested in a close finish. If this one is a nail-biter, Miami has the experience and confidence to finish strong in clutch situations. It could spring an upset if it keeps up its hot shooting.
Miami 88, UConn 87
