The 2022 men’s NCAA tournament has offered a variety of upsets that have made it one of college basketball’s best postseason events in recent history. Saint Peter’s, a school with just under 3,000 students, made the Elite Eight as a 15-seed. Three of the top seeds (Baylor, Arizona and Gonzaga) were eliminated before the second weekend. The ACC sent three teams to the Elite Eight. The Big Ten had none.
Since the 2007-08 season, Duke, North Carolina, Kansas and Villanova have claimed seven of the 14 national championships. We’re in for a powerhouse matchup in the title game no matter who wins or loses in the national semifinals on Saturday.
The game’s best teams will be at the Superdome. Let’s hope the matchups live up to the hype.
Duke Blue Devils
2021-22 record: 32-6
Final Four appearances: 17
Championships: 5 (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015)
Coach: Mike Krzyzewski (1,202-367)
Kansas Jayhawks
2021-22 record: 32-6
Final Four appearances: 16
Championships: 3 (1952, 1988, 2008)
Coach: Bill Self (760-229)
North Carolina Tar Heels
2021-22 record: 28-9
Final Four appearances: 21
Championships: 6 (1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, 2017)
Coach: Hubert Davis (28-9)
Villanova Wildcats
2021-22 record: 30-7
Final Four appearances: 7
Championships: 3 (1985, 2016, 2018)
Coach: Jay Wright (642-281)