The 2022 Final Four is here after thrilling games through the first four rounds. While upsets dominate the headlines it was the Blue Bloods that came out victorious in the Elite Eight. Most eyes are on what some are calling the most highly anticipated college basketball game of all time. The Duke Blue Devils will meet the North Carolina Tar Heels for the first time ever in the NCAA Tournament. This Final Four matchup is also taking place in the final season for Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski and the first season for Head Coach Hubert Davis. The biggest question is will the college basketball fanatics in the state of North Carolina survive the weekend?
Duke Blue Devils
How They Got Here: The Blue Devils are on the cusp of sending legendary Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski into retirement with one final National Championship under his belt. A farewell tour among the best that college basketball would ever remember. The path to this game in the NCAA Tournament was an interesting one for the Duke Blue Devils. They easily took care of business in the first round against the Cal State Fullerton Titans. Next up in the second round the team faced off against Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans. Despite trailing late in the game, the Blue Devils survived and advanced. The Sweet 16 matchup against Texas Tech had many people thinking about an upset, but once again the team made it out on top. Finally, Duke controlled the entire game against Arkansas in the Elite Eight.
Coach K and Duke are headed to the Final Four!! #MarchMadness
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) March 27, 2022
How They Win Saturday: Freshman star Paolo Banchero has been spectacular in March and that will need to continue in the 2022 Final Four. That being said the Duke Blue Devils have two x-factors that will need to be at their best for the ultimate Battle of the Blues Showdown on Saturday. Sophomore guard Jeremy Roach has emerged this month and will have to pull out another game where he comes up big when the team needs him. The most important player for this game on the Duke side though is sophomore center, Mark Williams. His offense is helpful but his ability to impact the offense on the other end is his real value on the court. Williams is a shot-blocking and shot adjusting machine. This game could come down to who is better down low in New Orleans.
North Carolina Tar Heels
How They Got Here: Roy Williams had faith in just one man to take over the program that Dean Smith built. Hubert Davis despite some early struggles has proved to be the right man for the job. An improbable run has the Tar Heels in the 2022 Final Four. A first-round blowout of the Marquette Golden Eagles had people raising their eyebrows at the team. The giant blown lead and overtime thriller against the Baylor Bears had fans on the edges of their seats. Some Caleb Love heroics against the UCLA Bruins had fans wondering why this team was ever an eight seed. Midnight struck true for the Saint Peter’s Peacocks’ Cinderella team in the Elite Eight courtesy of North Carolina.
The Tar Heels claim the final spot in the Final Four!! #MarchMadness
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) March 27, 2022
How They Win Saturday: Armando Bacot has been a walking double-double this season ad this game will be his chance to break Tim Duncan’s single-season ACC double-double record. The Tar Heels run a very short rotation and the majority of the scoring will come from four of the five starters in Armando Bacot, Brady Manek, RJ Davis, and Caleb Love. They will all need to contribute in meaningful ways to win this game against their rival. They however are not the x-factor for Hubert Davis and the North Carolina Tar Heels. The fifth starter will be the key to the game, but it won’t be his offense that makes the difference. Senior forward Leaky Black and his ability to shut down opposing players is a vital part of the Tar Heels roster. The Tar Heels need to hit their shots and win the game down low to come out with a victory.
