In two weeks, we’ve gone from 68 to four teams in the NCAA Tournament. On April 4, we’ll see a national champion be crowned, but first we have to set the matchup with the Final Four on Saturday.
NCAA Tournament 2016: Schedule for Final Four
The NCAA Tournament reaches its climax with the Final Four this Saturday.
The first game of the day pits No. 2 seed Oklahoma against No. 2 Villanova. The Sooners are led by likely National Player of the Year Buddy Hield, who’s been continuing his dominant run in the tournament. Hield went off for 37 points in Oklahoma’s 80-68 win over No. 1 Oregon in the Elite Eight, sending the Sooners to their first Final Four since 2002.
Villanova entered this tournament with last year’s second-round exit still a fresh memory. The Wildcats did just about everything to eradicate that impression, taking down the top overall seed Kansas to win the South region. Villanova is in the national semifinal for the first time since 2009.
The late game is a classic ACC grudge with No. 1 North Carolina facing No. 10 Syracuse. The Orange are in the Final Four after a bizarre series of events to get here, making a massive comeback to stun No. 1 Virginia in the Elite Eight. The Tar Heels didn’t have much trouble in the East region, winning their last four games by double digits. No. 6 Notre Dame actually gave them the hardest game in the Elite Eight, and the Irish still lost by 14. The Tar Heels are playing their best basketball at the right time and could be the favorites to lift the title.
Final Four schedule (all times Eastern)
Saturday, April 2
No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 2 Villanova (6:09 p.m., TBS)
No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 10 Syracuse (8:49 p.m., TBS)
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