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How to topple a pair of Goliaths?
UConn and Purdue are huge favorites in tonight's Final Four games. Alabama's going to hoist 3s - they can't shoot enough! - while NC State's brimming with confidence. Plus, the lost art of the entry pass, Zach Edey's historic run, and more.
Mike Miller
April 06, 2024
This Arkansas coaching domino might take a while to fall. Chris Beard said no, and K-State coach Jerome Tang reaffirmed his commitment to Kansas State on Friday. So, uh…who’s next?
Let’s get to some Final Four topics.
1. Is there such a thing as too many 3s?
UConn is an 11.5-point favorite in tonight’s National Semifinal against Alabama, one of the largest Final Four spreads since the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams.
The Huskies (35-3) have won 10 consecutive games by double digits (a record), and have won four games in this year’s tourney by an average of 27.8 points.
What’s the formula for beating Goliath? Is it just a matter of slinging as many rocks as possible? That’s essentially what Terrence Oglesby said earlier this week.
So. If you’re Alabama (25-11), and you shoot 37.1% from beyond the arc (21st in D-I), is there such a thing as shooting too many 3s tonight?
“Naw,” said Alabama guard Mark Sears. “That’s what we do.”
Alabama coach Nate Oats fully agrees.
“There’s no max,” Oats said. “Shoot, my first year we set the SEC record for threes made in a game. Made 22 at Auburn. Broke that record, made 23 in a game. We’ve hit 20+ I think five different times [editor’s note: It’s four times]. Can’t make 20 if you’re not taking 40, 50 of ‘em. Let ‘em fly.”