Mar 27, 20222 min read

CBB: 2022 NCAA Tournament Final Four preview, picks

Final Four:

#1 Kansas (32-6)

#2 Villanova (30-7)

Following an entertaining tournament that was highlighted by Saint Peter's historically shocking run to the Elite Eight, we are left with a bunch of blue bloods Duke, Kansas, North Carolina and Villanova in the 2022 Final Four. The four premier programs have combined to win seven of the last 14 national titles. Bill Self's team is the lone 1-seed remaining as they look to capture their first championship since 2008. Kansas is riding a 9-game win streak led by Ochai Agbaji, Christian Braun and Remy Martin. Kansas used a 47-point second half to blow past Miami in the Elite Eight. After struggling with injuries for a majority of the season, Martin is putting up 16.7 points per game in the NCAA Tournament.

Villanova will be without Justin Moore, who suffered a torn Achilles in a win over Houston on Saturday night. Tulane transfer Caleb Daniels will step into the starting lineup alongside Big East Player of the Year Collin Gillespie as the Wildcats attempt to win a third title since 2016. Villanova is 9-2 this year when Daniels scores in double figures. Gillespie is averaging 15.6 points per game on 41% from 3-point range. It will be difficult for Jay Wright's team to move on without Moore but their experience and physicality will likely keep them competitive. Jermaine Samuels and Brandon Slater will need to make a positive impact in order to pull off the upset. Kansas is favored by 4.5 points prior to tip off in New Orleans.

Pick: Kansas (-4.5)

Final Four:

#2 Duke (32-6)

#8 North Carolina (28-9)

Despite having the most celebrated rivalry in college basketball, Duke and North Carolina never met in the NCAA Tournament until now. That's only fitting as Mike Krzyzewski hopes to finish his illustrious coaching career on top. The Blue Devils are 32-6 behind a group of potential first round picks in Paolo Banchero, AJ Griffin, Wendell Moore and Mark Williams. Banchero is shooting 53.3% from beyond the arc during Duke's 4-game win streak. Jeremy Roach has also been phenomenal down the stretch as Duke held off Michigan State and Texas Tech to stay alive. North Carolina will focus on limiting open shots and protecting the paint as they did in a blowout win at Cameron Indoor Stadium earlier this month.

Duke is definitely hoping to get revenge against their bitter rival on the biggest stage after the Tar Heels ruined Krzyzewski's final home game and postgame ceremony. North Carolina is capable of beating the Blue Devils again as Armando Bacot, RJ Davis, Caleb Love and Brady Manek are playing with extreme confidence and energy since a midseason slump in January. Love scored a game-high 30 points against UCLA in the Sweet 16 before Bacot dominated Saint Peter's with 20 points and 22 rebounds. Hubert Davis became the first head coach to reach the Final Four in his first year since Bill Guthridge did so with North Carolina in 1998. The Tar Heels are 4-point underdogs per FanDuel.

Pick: North Carolina (+4.0)