Fantastic four

Good morning! It’s been another memorable March (so many buzzer-beaters!), and not just for basketball.

We sent our 1,000th newsletter last week. That’s a big round number and one that comes up fast when you’re posting five days a week (and seven days a week during March). We’re planning for 1,000 more, though by then the name will probably have to change unless logistics keep getting in the way of NCAA Tournament expansion.

ANYWAY, thanks to all our subscribers — especially those paying ones — to the writing staff for putting up with my editing/nonsense, and to Rob and Jeff for the support.

Now, let’s get to Monday’s news.

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1. Pick a Final Four storyline

We’ve had two Final Fours where all four No. 1 seeds have made it (2008 and 2025). We’ve had Final Fours with nothing but Blue Bloods (2022), with perfection on the line (2021 and 2015), and Final Fours with repeats on the line (2024 and 2007). That’s just this century.

Arizona, Michigan, Illinois and UConn has the potential to be an all-time Final Four for a variety of reasons, whether that’s because of the big men on the floor, the contrasting playing styles, or the off-court storylines (North Carolina’s next coach?).

Maybe that’s why Randolph Childress, Terrence Oglesby and Rob Dauster can’t get enough of those storylines.

How about some headlines and stats for each program?

Arizona

• Yes, Arizona shoots the fewest 3-pointers (26.4% of their field-goal attempts) among the remaining four teams. But their shooting percentage (36.7%) is right behind Michigan (36.9%) and better than Illinois (34.8%) and UConn (34.6%).

• Arizona scored 100 points vs. Arkansas. It joined 2003 Kansas as the only team to top 100 and attempt fewer than 10 3s in a game.

• The Wildcats-Wolverines showdown is a heavyweight fight for the size involved and how physically each team plays. UMHoops broke down the “physicality stats.”

Michigan

• Once the NCAA Tournament bracket was announced, Michigan-Arizona loomed as a blockbuster showdown. Makes sense given it’s a matchup between two of the top five teams with the best-ever KenPom efficiency margin.

• The Dusty May-to-UNC rumors swirled all last week. Michigan’s AD wants to ensure the coach can “finish his career at Michigan.”

• Remember when the Wolverines rolled out a pair of 7-footers in the lineup last season? That was pretty smart for this season.

UConn

• What did it sound like when Braylon Mullins’ ball was in the air? Here’s a great read on what Mullins’ parents experienced.

• You probably saw this video of UConn coach Dan Hurley and the ref. Roger Ayers said it wasn’t a big deal.

• This photo from Sunday night captures plenty of UConn fan faces when Mullins’ ball was in the air.

Illinois

• UConn beat Illinois earlier this season. But that game was notable for who didn’t play much (Keaton Wagler, Tarris Reed) and how the teams used their lineups.

• Ben Humrichous and Jake Davis have had wild statistical seasons. Neither of them have had mor than six turnovers this season — in at least 700 minutes.

• You can’t bet on Illinois if you live in Illinois. The same goes for UConn.

2. Did Utah State make another stellar hire? + more news

Few programs have a better head coach hiring record recently than Utah State. Their latest hire meets that standard, though it’ll be interesting to see if he can surpass expectations like the others.

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