CBB: Final Four Preview
No. 3 Texas Tech (30-6, 14-4) vs. No. 2 Michigan State (32-6, 16-4): The Red Raiders come in winning four straight games and have the best defense in the country, holding all four of their NCAA Tournament opponents to under 70 points, with only Gonzaga getting over 60 points in the 75-69 victory. Sophomore Jarrett Culver is averaging 18.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. The go-to guy on Michigan State is inarguably Cassius Winston. Winston has been one of the best players in the country all year long, and is putting up 18.9 points and 7.6 assists. Texas Tech must take away the high screen-and-roll because Winston is deadly with Xavier Tillman rolling and Kenny Goins popping. The Red Raiders switch everything so something will have to give. Michigan State comes in with nine straight wins.
Blake Stoll: Michigan State (79-58)
Caleb Henderson: Texas Tech (63-53)
Charles Post: Texas Tech (68-67)
Chinedum Wejinya: Texas Tech (77-65)
Greg Schwochow: Michigan State (65-62)
Max Heningburg: Michigan State (63-58)
Raven Martin: Texas Tech (70-65)
Tyler Taylor: Michigan State (63-60)
No. 5 Auburn (30-9, 11-7) vs. No. 1 Virginia (33-3, 16-2): The Tigers and Cavaliers meeting will be a clash of differing styles as Auburn likes to get up and down and take a lot of threes, while Virginia plays at one of the slowest paces in the nation. With that said, the Tigers are arguably the hottest team left, winning their last 12 games. The Cavaliers' defense will be unlike anything they've seen in the tournament, though, as Virginian gives up just 57.8 points per game. Auburn averages 80.1 points. It should be exciting to see which style breaks through and controls the pace. Virginia is so good at getting back on defense and rotating that most teams revert to a slower pace, which obviously plays into Tony Bennett's favor. Bryce Brown (16.0 points, 44.0 percent) and Kyle Guy (15.2 points, 44.6 percent) are players to watch.
Blake Stoll: Auburn (86-84)
Caleb Henderson: Virginia (81-74)
Charles Post: Auburn (73-70)
Chinedum Wejinya: Auburn (60-55)
Greg Schwochow: Virginia (85-84)
Max Heningburg: Auburn (72-66)
Raven Martin: Virginia (65-62)
Tyler Taylor: Virginia (73-68)
Photo Credit: Action Network.
