The semi-finals were largely non-competitive. Kansas blew Marquette off the floor winning by 33 in a game that wasn't even that close. Melo scored 33 in the 2nd game to lead Syracuse over Texas. The Longhorns hung around late but never could get over the hump.
What makes this Final 4 memorable is the Jim Boeheim-Roy Williams matchup. After great careers, one would finally have a title to his name. On top of that, Williams had to deal with rumors of him taking the UNC job.
The game itself was a classic. Syracuse rode some hot 3-point shooting from Gerry McNamara and 21 from Melo. They lead by 3 when Hakim Warrick stepped to the line late to ice it. He'd miss both FTs but redeemed himself blocking Michael Lee's tying 3-pt attempt. A Kirk Hinrich desperation heave missed and Boeheim and Syracuse won their 1st title after 2 previous losses in title games. Williams would leave for UNC shortly thereafter, never winning a title at Kansas despite some great teams.
19. 2010 (Indianapolis): America was introduced to Brad Stevens in 2010 in this Final 4. A lot of people were stunned Butler made the Final 4 despite being a 5-seed. Someone on this blog picked them for the Final 4. I digress.
This Final 4 had regular participant Michigan State, West Virginia lead by prodigal son Bob Huggins and Duke returning to a Final 4 for the first time since 2004.
Butler beat Michigan State in a slugfeat 52-50 in the first semi-final. In the second, Duke shot West Virginia off the court in an offensive clinic.
The final, as will be the case often going forward is why we remember this Final 4. The game itself was a plodding affair where Duke lead the entire way but never by more than 6. They were up 60-54 late but Butler chipped away getting it to 60-59 as Duke couldn't make a put away bucket or get a defensive rebound. Duke would corral a defensive rebound courtesy of Brian Zoubek after Gordon Hayward missed a potential go ahead bucket with 3.6 seconds left. Zoubek was fouled and would make the 1st. He intentionally missed the 2nd. Butler had no to's left. Hayward managed a half court prayer that just missed and Coach K had his 4th national title.
18. 2001 (Minneapolis): This Final 4 will forever be remembered more by the Duke-Maryland semi-final than any of the other games.
Maryland could do no wrong, jumping out to a 39-17 lead, stunning the Blue Devils. Duke would respond, out scoring the Terps 21-11 into half but still trailed 49-38. Duke took its first lead at 73-82 and closed the game on a 23-12 run, winning 95-84.
Arizona blew defending champ Michigan State off the floor in the 2nd semi-final by 19z
Duke collected their 3rd title, downing Arizona by 10. Duke would lead the majority of the game only letting Arizona cut it to 39-37 at one point. The Wildcats would get within 4 a few more times but Duke put it away late.
17. 2015 (Indianapolis): This Final 4 is probably best remembered for Wisconsin downing Kentucky in the semi's. That Kentucky team was undefeated and one of the best teams in this look back to not win the title.
The other semi saw Duke route Michigan State who had made the Final 4 as a 7-seed.
Wisconsin handled Kentucky getting revenge for Kentucky's last second heroics the season before. Kentucky had no answer for Frank Kaminsky who put up a double-double against Karl Anthony-Towns.
In the final, Duke held the efficient Badgers to only 63 points in an impressive defensive showing sparked by Grayson Allen and Justise Winslow. Duke outscored Wisconsin 14-9 over the final 7 minutes for their 5th title.
16. 2016 (Houston): The 2016 Final Four was defined by the final game. Villanova, UNC and Oklahoma all year showed they were Final 4 caliber teams.
Syracuse crashed the party as a 10-seed and were dispatched by UNC. In the other semi-final, Villanova shocked Oklahoma shooting 71% to annihilate the Sooners by 44 in one of the most impressive team efforts in Final 4 history.
The final saw pre tourney favorite North Carolina take on Villanova, a team with a shaky recent tourney history. Nova lead by 10 with 4:47 left before the Heels climbed back in, tying at 74 on a corkscrew 3 by Marcus Paige. Villanova's Ryan Arcidiacono took the inbounds and left the ball for the trailing Kris Jenkins who calmly hit the game winning 3 and give Nova their second title.
Next Week: 15-11
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