2023 Final Four
The 2023 NCAA Tournament has been a thriller experience with record-breaking performances and the distinct lack of seeds one through three. With both matchups set to take place tonight, the first game featured the five-seeded San Diego State Aztecs and the nine-seeded FAU Owls. A distinct contrast of styles between the high-impact offense of Florida Athletic and the defensive grind-it-out style of San Diego State.
The FAU Owls have played behind in most of their games in the 2023 NCAA Tournament but continued to grind it out and win. With 2023 Final Four starting the Owls were not playing around. The Owls took a 40-33 lead into halftime and looked ready to punch their ticket to the National Championship Game on Monday. FAU controlled much of the second half and continued to hold a lead for the majority of the game. San Diego State slowly chipped back in and trailed 67-66 with 1:34 to play in the game.
The Aztecs cut the lead back down to just 1 ?#MarchMadness @Aztec_MBB pic.twitter.com/g5QDIj17f5
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 2, 2023
Each time the Aztecs would pull within one point, the Owls had an answer to maintain or lengthen their lead. It appeared as if the Azrecs just did not have enough offensive firepower to win the game. FAU Head Coach Dusty May had his program seconds from making the National Championship as a nine seed. With ten seconds left the Aztecs were down just one point. Lamont Butler would drive in and pull up for the buzzer-beating game-winner for the Aztecs who won 72-71. A heartbreaking loss for the FAU Owls. Matt Bradley led the way for SDSU with 21 points, six rebounds, and two assists. The Aztecs will play in the National Championship against the winner of the UConn-Mimai game.
Lamont THE Butler hits to send San Diego State to the Natty. Wow ? pic.twitter.com/FRC03cmsmi
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) April 2, 2023
