Final Four Preview: Storylines, Player Rankings
We’re just two days away from the Final Four, which is always the weird day to me. You have everyone reacting to the Elite Eight games on Monday. Tuesday it starts to settle in in terms of the matchups and previews start. Wednesday is typically the travel day for most teams. Today though is that unique day. It’s the first day of some media stuff for players and coaches as they start to go through shootarounds and practices, but from a preview standpoint it tends to be the boring day. So with that in mind we’ll look at storylines and some rankings because, why not?
Final Four storylines:
Will this finally be the year John Beilein is talked about correctly?
Beilein has been arguably the most undervalued head coach in all of college basketball. He continues to take these guys that are viewed as castoffs or underrecruited and constantly turns wings into pros and has Michigan in the Final Four again – the second time since 2013. Beilein is one of the most genius offensive minds in the country and the fact he went out to get a defensive coordinator shows he’s willing to delegate. He’s a top-10 coach in America and this Final Four could finally get the casual fan to start talking about him as such.
Villanova solidifies itself as the best program in America for the last five years
To me, they are already there. What they have done in the Big East, winning the regular season four times and then this season winning the conference tournament combined with making two Final Fours has solidified Villanova has the best program in America the last five years. Winning another title in that stretch? Forget about any argument – there will be none.
What player can help his draft stock?
There are a handful of guys that are borderline first round picks to second round picks that can really help themselves in San Antonio. The only top prospect still playing is Mikal Bridges, but you have guys like Jalen Brunson and Devonte Graham who are borderline first round picks. You have Svi and Malik Newman as second round picks. You have Mo Wagner as a likely second round pick. You have guys like Omari Spellman and Donte DiVincenzo, who are expected to be pros at some point possibly setting themselves up for next year. It’s a fascinating development as we’re used to seeing can’t miss pros at this level of the tournament.
Loyola would be the biggest surprise champion in sports in the 2000s
If Loyola wins this thing, they would top the charts in terms of the biggest surprise champion. Right now you’re looking at teams like the 2008 New York Giants, 2002 New England Patriots, 2014 UConn Huskies among others. It wouldn’t be a debate. This school from the Missouri Valley Conference beating Miami, Tennessee, Nevada, Michigan and either Villanova/Kansas would top anyone.
The ‘clean’ Final Four
This is one I’ve seen floating around and I sort of hate the idea that we’re in this clean vs dirty category when it comes to teams. People are looking at Loyola, Villanova and Michigan as these super clean programs – which by every category they are – and labeling this the good Final Four because programs listed in FBI documents aren’t here. In the same stretch, Kansas is currently a clean program, as it isn’t facing any sanctions, but they are now billed as the dirty program of this four. It’s a unique year in college basketball and we’re still seeing that here.
Bill Self’s redemption
Bill Self is one of the best coaches in this sport. He’s also lost a lot in March. Both are true statements, whether it’s fair or not. That said, winning a title with this group would be Self’s redemption tour. His lone championship in 2008 did come in San Antonio, so maybe it is in the cards for him. However, two national titles and winning a title in a year where they swept the Big 12 regular season and conference tournament championships would go a long way in his ‘redemption’ of March.
The small ball era is here
Take a look at the four teams. This is the small ball Final Four. Villanova has perfected the small ball lineup as its run the 4-guard lineup for years. Kansas is currently embracing the same thing with Svi at the ‘four.’ Loyola is a small ball type team. Michigan is 100% running small ball with Robinson/Matthews running the small ball four spot. We’ve gotten away from the traditional two big sets and we’re seeing it pay off here.
No one and dones
It’s worth noting that there are no one and dones here. It’s also worth noting that doesn’t mean anything. Everyone loves to make the argument that you can’t win with one and dones – which is false. 2012 Kentucky and 2015 Duke showed us otherwise. My argument back to this is always, does that mean you can’t win if you’re a Big 10 school or a school on the west coast? They haven’t won titles since 2000 and 1997. But, for those who hate one and dones, this is the Final Four for you.
Player rankings
In the effort to start an argument for no reason, let’s rank the 20 starters in the Final Four.
1. Jalen Brunson (Villanova)
2. Devonte Graham (Kansas)
3. Mikal Bridges (Villanova)
4. Mo Wagner (Michigan)
5. Malik Newman (Kansas)
6. Omari Spellman (Villanova)
7. Svi Mykhaliuk (Kansas)
8. Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman (Michigan)
9. Udoka Azubuike (Kansas)
10. Eric Paschall (Villanova)
11. Charles Matthews (Michigan)
12. Phil Booth (Villanova)
13. Zavier Simpson (Michigan)
14. Clayton Custer (Loyola)
15. Marques Townes (Loyola)
16. Lagerald Vick (Kansas)
17. Donte Ingram (Loyola)
18. Ben Richardson (Loyola)
19. Isaiah Livers (Michigan)
20. Cameron Krutwig (Loyola)