The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)

Final Four offers up intriguing matchups

- By John Marshall

GLENDALE, ARIZ. >> Exploiting matchups is the key to winning any basketball game. Those matchups tend to become magnified at the Final Four, where preparatio­n time and the pressure of the game’s biggest stage factor in prominentl­y.

This year’s Final Four has some intriguing matchups that will decide if Gonzaga or South Carolina and North Carolina or Oregon get through to Monday’s title game. Here’s a few to keep an eye on: • Oregon’s defensive rebounding vs. North Carolina on the offensive glass: The Tar Heels were the national leader on the offensive glass during the regular season, snatching 15.74 per game, nearly a full rebound more than the next-closest team. North Carolina cleans up nearly 42 percent of its misses, so their best offensive play is often a missed shot.

The Tar Heels grabbed 13 offensive rebounds on 31 shots, leading to 17 second-chance points in their Elite Eight win over Kentucky, one of the longest teams in the country.

Kennedy Meeks is the biggest O-rebound producer, grabbing 3.68 per game, good for 10th nationally.

The Ducks have two starters taller than 6-foot-4 and were 114th nationally in clearing off defensive rebounds. Oregon handled one good offensive rebounding team by knocking out Kansas, but will have its hands full on Saturday.

Two words likely to be heard from Oregon coach Dana Altman a lot: “Box out!”

• South Carolina’s front court vs. Gonzaga’s bigs: Gonzaga has a massive 1-2 punch up from with Przemek Karnowski and Zach Collins. At 7-foot-1, 300 pounds, Karnowski may be the biggest player in the country. He’s also an adept passer who picks apart double teams and has great footwork for maneuverin­g in the paint. Collins is an athletic 7-foot freshman who can score inside, outside and may be the best NBA prospect in the Final Four.

South Carolina counters with Maik Kotsar and Chris Silva.

Kotsar is 6-10, but gives up

more than 50 pounds to Karnowski. Silva is an inch shorter and more than 75 pounds lighter than Gonzaga’s big man. Keeping those two out of foul trouble while getting help from everyone else will be a big key Saturday.

• Pace game, Oregon vs. North Carolina: The Ducks are often thought of as a fast-paced, highflying team. They are high fliers, but a fast pace is not their thing. Oregon has an adjusted tempo that’s 241st nationally and was able to slow Kansas and Michigan, two fast-paced teams, on its way to the Final Four.

North Carolina, on the other hand, is one of the fastest teams in the country. The Tar Heels love to get out and run under any circumstan­ce, sometimes scoring five seconds after a made free throw by their opponent.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States