Possible X-factors for the Final Four in San Antonio
This year’s Final Four has its star power, including USA TODAY Sports national player of the year Jalen Brunson of Villanova and Big 12 player of the year Devonte’ Graham of Kansas.
But history tells us there’s almost always a key player, one who doesn’t dominate the scouting report, who can shift the momentum of a game and help deliver their respective team a win.
Here’s a look at X-factor players from each Final Four team in San Antonio, starting with the first semifinal.
The hero of the Ramblers’ Sweet 16 win against Nevada, Townes is a clutch catalyst who can penetrate against any defense and shoots 40% from three-point range. He also has NCAA tournament experience from his playing days at Fairleigh Dickinson that’s given him a veteran feel on this mature group.
The 6-9 center uses his body to create space on the low block and is equally as lethal with both his passing and jump hooks. The freshman gives the perimeter-savvy team a muchneeded inside-out dimension against power conference teams.
You might remember this guy from the highlightreel, buzzer-beater of this NCAA tournament — a 30-foot dagger to sink Houston in the second round. But the 6-4 freshman has become a secret weapon of sorts for coach John Beilein. Remember how Mike Krzyzewski used seldom-used freshman Grayson Allen in Duke’s 2015 title run – including 16 points from him in the championship game? Poole offers a similar type of capability to break out.
The 6-8 senior drained a key three-pointer in the Wolverines’ 58-54 victory over Florida State, so has a clutch gene that Kansa s(31-7) vs. Villanova (34-4), 7:49 p.m., (TBS) Louisville (36-2) vs. Mississippi State (36-1), 6 p.m. (ESPN2) will bode well for Michigan’s pursuit.
The 7footer is a force in the paint and his contributions have been necessary for Kansas to get to the Final Four.Azubuike could have an edge on Villanva’s Omari Spellman. The KU big man is a liability at the free-throw line, so that’s an area to watch for as well.
Saturday’s games at San Antonio Loyola-Chicago (32-5) vs. Michigan (32-7), 5:09 p.m. (TBS) WOMEN Friday’s games at Columbus, Ohio Notre Dame (33-3) vs. UConn (36-0), 8 p.m. (ESPN2)
While Graham and Malik Newman have garnered most of the headlines for KU, Vick has been steadily consistent, averaging 13.5 points a game in the tournament.
The program’s mainstay guard doesn’t offer as much offense as his backup, Donte DiVincenzo, but he’ll need to show up on both ends to help the Wildcats beat Kansas. A late-season injury to his right shooting hand impaired Villanova’s depth and led to two of the team’s four losses so his presence is undoubtedly a commodity.
The 6-9 forward does a lot of little things to help the Wildcats tick. Chief among contributions is his work on the glass, where Paschall came up big against Texas Tech, tallying 14 rebounds. He’s the player who will need to step up against KU’s four-guard set.