The BIG show

Congrats to UConn and NC State, which placed their men’s and women’s teams in their respective Final Fours. That’s a helluva start to the final week.

Let’s dive into Monday’s news.

1. Prep yourself for the Final Four

There is of course more to the men’s and women’s double that NC State and UConn just did.

It’s the first time two schools placed both teams in the Final Four, and the 13th time a school’s men’s and women’s teams reached the final weekend, the most recent being South Carolina in 2017.

UConn’s remains the only school that’s pulled off the double title, though. It did it in 2004 and 2014.

ANYWAY, that’s some trivia for you this week when you’re among friends. Here are some links that’ll help prep you for the week ahead.

Alabama

• The lingering doubt about a team with a “lives by the three, die by three” approach doesn’t quite apply to Alabama. Sure, the Tide take a ton of 3s, but they’re mostly looking for the best possible shot. That’s usually an open 3. And that system’s success has fewer doubters than ever.

• Senior guard Latrell Wrightsell hasn’t played since Alabama’s Round of 32 win over Grand Canyon. Coach Nate Oats is optimistic he’ll play this week, but not making any guarantees. He’s started 30 games this season, averages 9 ppg and shoots 44.3% from beyond the arc.

• Nate Oats, Dan Hurley and Kevin Keatts all began their coaching careers in prep or high school.

UConn

• Is this the best it’s ever been for UConn men’s hoops? That’s the debate in Connecticut. I’d lean 2004 as the team to beat, then ‘99, and even last year’s as better. At least right now.

• Donovan Clingan is third in ESPN’s latest mock draft, which seems like a reflection of the moment, rather than the NBA game. Clingan’s awesome, but seems like Stephon Castle (who’s 14th) is the better pro prospect.

• A sports economist says it’ll be tough for UConn to keep getting the top players because of NIL. The school’s resources can’t match the schools with significant football revenue or larger alumni bases. (I remain skeptical of this view.)

NC State

• Fans have flocked to Jim Valvano’s grave the last few weeks, leaving flowers, foam fingers, basketball and other gifts. It’s not unusual for fans to show up through the years — usually asking for help breaking the curse — but the recent spate of visits seem to be more joyous.

• The kid who gave a single-finger response to Kevin Keatts’ technical foul on Sunday has become a viral sensation. Maybe he and DJ Horne should host a flipping party for fans in Phoenix.

• It’s not just basketball fans who love DJ Burns. NFL scouts are starting to warm on him as well.

Purdue

• This might be the best thing you’ll read all week: The Athletic’s Dana O’Neil wrote about Purdue' ending its 44-year Final Four drought. How did Matt Painter approach the tourney? What kind of pressure did Zach Edey face? Few can match Dana’s writing skill.

• Zach Edey’s matchup with DJ Burns will present a challenge for Edey on defense because of how Burns spaces the floor. We’ll see how much Edey has to guard Burns, though, especially if Burns gets into foul trouble since that’s what always happens with players who guard Edey.

• Lance Jones wasn’t a coveted transfer portal target last season. He was a starter for Southern Illinois, but wasn’t an efficient scorer and only hit 26.7% of his 3-point attempts. Yet here he is, starting for Purdue as the primary difference between last season’s squad and this season. What did Purdue see in Jones? And how did he view the challenge?

General news

It’s the Year of the Big! The After Dark crew explains.

• The NCAA announced the 11 officials for the Final Four. Per kenpom’s ref ratings, that’s six of the top seven.

• How unlikely was NC State’s run to the ACC tournament title and the Final Four? Only about 10,314 to 1, according to Evan Miyakawa.

• Payouts for NCAA tourney units are set. The ACC will get the most ($34 million), followed by the SEC ($32M) and Big 12 and Big Ten ($30M). Big East ($22M), Pac-12 and MWC ($20) round out the big paydays.

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