And Then There Were Four 🏀

Anyone who picked this group of four is named Pinocchio 🤣

It seems like just yesterday we were watching all 68 teams battle it out in the middle of the workday for a shot to cut down the nets. 😢 Now, we are down to just four teams remaining.

Are these the teams any of us expected? No, but these games have been beyond exceptional, and this is what March (and part of April) is all about.

Now, let’s take a look at the predictions for these games.👇

No. 5 San Diego St. vs No. 9 Florida Atlantic

Saturday at 6:09 PM on CBS

The Final Four is a completely unique experience for 18-to-22-year-old college basketball players. SDSU and FAU, who will kick off Saturday’s doubleheader, are bound to feel plenty of excitement and angst playing on that stage.

The atmosphere of 70,000-plus fans watching cannot be duplicated, especially for two teams who are used to playing in front of a fraction of that at home. Depth perception comes into play when shooting, as do nerves when the entire sports world is watching.

San Diego State is an elite defensive team and has showcased that in the tournament, allowing just 57.25 points per game in this year’s tourney. Meanwhile, FAU won its Sweet 16 matchup against an exceptional defensive team in Tennessee, and did so despite scoring just 62 points.

I keep betting, wrongly, against the Owls, so I won’t do it again in this space.

Given the emotional roller-coaster, the Aztecs defense, and the Owls’ ability to play that style as well — two of FAU’s wins had 131 points or fewer — the Under is the CBB pick of the day.

Read more from Pat Pickens’ San Diego St. vs Florida Atlantic Predictions.

No. 5 Miami vs No. 4 UConn

Saturday at 8:49 PM on CBS

Where I’ve been wrong about FAU, I’ve been spot-on about Miami. The Hurricanes persevered as an underdog in three of their four tournament games, including their come-from-behind win over Texas in the Elite 8 on Sunday.

The Huskies have run roughshod over their four opponents, mainly because of their exceptional defense that has allowed 59.25 points per game and held Gonzaga’s No. 1 scoring offense to just 54 points in the Elite 8. But they’re going to get tested at some point, and it will probably be against the Hurricanes on Saturday.

The Hurricanes are battle-tested out of the down-but-formidable ACC, have the conference’s Player of the Year Isaiah Wong, and are a top-25 offensive team. Plus, they have a big, 6-foot-7, 230-pound Norchad Omier, who averages a double-double and can defend UConn’s All-Big East performer Adama Sanogo.

UConn’s program may have the most pedigree, and it has clearly displayed the most talent of any remaining team. So, it’s easy to forget none of its players have suited up for a Final Four game, and Dan Hurley will be coaching in his first national semifinal as well.

There’s a chance the Hurricanes deliver the first punch and set the Huskies on their heels, leaving me to wonder how they’d deal with adversity for the first time in weeks. UConn hasn’t won a game by fewer than seven points since Feb. 4 and is 0-2 in one-possession games since.

Can the Hurricanes win? Yes. Can they stay within six points? Certainly. That’s why I’m taking Miami to do so as a top option for the national semis.

Read more from Pat Pickens’ Miami vs UConn Predictions.

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Get Your Woman’s March Madness Bets in!

The Woman’s March Madness offers a unique betting opportunity. With less attention and fewer bets placed on women's games compared to men's, there may be more potential for finding value and making profitable bets.🤑 If you haven’t been watching, this year has been more exciting and unpredictable than ever before, making it an enjoyable and potentially profitable betting experience. We have everything you need to know! 👇

No. 1 Virginia Tech vs No. 3 LSU

Tonight at 7:00 PM on ESPN

In just her second season since arriving from Baylor, Hall of Fame coach Kim Mulkey has LSU back in contention for a national championship.

To finish the job, the No. 3 seed Tigers (32-2) will first need to get past Virginia Tech (31-4). Riding a 15-game winning streak, the top-seeded Hokies are the lone newcomer to this year’s NCAA Women’s Final Four.

The Tigers and Hokies will square off in the first national semifinal on Friday in Dallas.

Read for Doug Bonjour’s best bets.👇

No. 2 South Carolina vs No. 1 Iowa

Tonight at 9:30 PM on ESPN

Undefeated South Carolina has rolled to a third straight Final Four under head coach Dawn Staley and is heavily favored at -330 to win back-to-back national titles.

Waiting for the top-seeded Gamecocks (36-0) is No. 2 seed Iowa, led by the most dynamic player in the country in Naismith Player of the Year Award winner Caitlin Clark.

Can the Hawkeyes (30-6) pull off a double-digit upset and end the Gamecocks’ reign atop the sport? We’ll have a better idea on Friday, when the teams meet in the second national semifinal (approximately 9 p.m.) in Dallas.

Read for Doug Bonjour’s best bets.👇