NCAA tournament final four: strengths and weaknesses
March 29, 2017
On Saturday, April 1, the final four college teams are set to play and try to advance to the final dance, the national championship. The Oregon Ducks play the North Carolina Tar Heels in what is primed to be an offensive showcase. On the other hand, the South Carolina Gamecocks play the Gonzaga Bulldogs. It will be a defensive battle.
Each team brings different varieties of talent to the table: power and athleticism, finesse and courage. All final four teams seem to be unstoppable when they play at their full potential and play together. Each team has its strengths and weaknesses, but one thing for sure is that they are all searching for that final victory on April 3.
- UNC
Strengths- UNC is the best rebounding team in the nation and it is not even a close contest from anyone. They not only have that, but they also are one of the most veteran teams in the league, and with experience comes flow and calmness.
Weakness- Joel Berry, the team leader, is in and out of injury right now, and with him not being as quick as he is healthy, he gets into foul trouble early because he can not catch up. If this team gets deep in fouls early, they are not necessarily deep at any position.
- Oregon
Strengths- They have been out to prove that they belong here the whole season and are one of the most passionate, hungry teams in the game. They have that spark in them to take them a long way.
Weakness- They are not very experienced in the final four or even in the elite eight. As a great offensive team around the perimeter, their perimeter defense will need to step it up against UNC.
- South Carolina
Strengths- Size and shooting ability is what carries this team and has since the beginning of the season. If they keep it up and are physical they will see their way into the national championship come April 3.
Weakness- Again, this is another team without a lot of experience to know what the big stage will be like. Alongside that, they seem to be labeled as the underdog and are the lowest seed in the final four at the seven seed.
- Gonzaga
Strengths- The Bulldogs have been solid all year and are very consistent. This team is a veteran bunch and held the number one spot in the rankings for almost the whole year. They have beat every top 10 team they have faced and only lost one game all year.
Weakness- Many are unsure how they will fare against some of the best teams in the nation because their competition was not very scarce this year. Their head coach has not seen a minute of the final four so they also have the experience factor against them as well.
Grant Loudenback • Apr 6, 2017 at 10:59 am
Nice! Really loved this editorial!