Two down, two to go

Good morning! If just one of today’s two games is as good as Florida-Texas Tech, it’s gonna be a good day.

Let's get to Saturday’s news.

1. Florida’s Final Four bound after stunning rally

Walter Clayton Jr. is s cheat code. How else does one explain this shot vs. Texas Tech?

That was the second of back-to-back 3-pointers from Clayton, and the capper of a 12-2 run that turned a deficit into a remarkable 84-79 win in the West Regional Final on Saturday.

I mean, the footwork, the calm under pressure and the gumption to take that shot is next-level stuff from the Clayton, who finished with a game-high 30 points, 22 of which came in the second half.

“There’s not another player in America you would rather have right now than Walter Clayton with the ball in his hands in a big-time moment,” Florida coach Todd Golden said. “The biggest thing in those moments is you need to have somebody that wants to take those shots. They’re obviously difficult plays, but someone that has the confidence to step up and make incredible individual plays. Walter did that for us tonight.”

Florida (34-4) trailed for most of the second half, and the nine-point deficit with less than three minutes left looked insurmountable. But much like Texas Tech did on Thursday against Arkansas, it kept its cool, hit shots — including a whole lot of free throws — and got lucky. The Red Raiders (28-9) missed back-to-back chances for one-and-ones, and also left Darrion Williams open for a potential game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds.

Getting to the Final Four for the first time since 2014 is one thing. To get there by outscoring a team 23-8 over the final five minutes? That feels like something else.

“It’s crazy," said forward Thomas Haugh, who went for 20 points, 12 rebounds and hit the 3-pointer that kicked off that 12-2 run. “I feel like I’m dreaming. I was watching the round of 64 in the eighth grade sneaking my phone into science class watching it. Now to say I’m playing in the Final Four is wild. It’s wild.”

2. Duke sure looks inevitable

Alabama blitzed BYU with 26 3-pointers on Thursday night. Duke apparently took notes.

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