The brackets have all gone bust. Well, most of them.
As the Final Four kicks into gear, four very unique teams remain. March Madness has delivered in ways we never thought possible, and only three games now remain.
The four teams still alive are very different, and they have taken very different paths to arrive here. Before the games begin, we’re reranking these teams and assembling one last run of CBB Power Rankings.
All CBB odds used for my favorite props below are current as of Wednesday, March 29, at 9 a.m. ET, and are found at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Final Four Power Rankings
4. Florida Atlantic
Whether you quantify them as a Cinderella team or not, what Florida Atlantic has accomplished is anything but normal.
Still alive and capable of winning a championship, FAU has won all four of its March Madness games by single digits. The run nearly ended in the opening round against Memphis, although the Owls stayed alive with a one-point win.
🏀 Bet on the Final Four games this weekend with our top CBB betting lines:
Since that moment, FAU has taken out No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson, No. 4 Tennessee, and No. 3 Kansas State. Each game has had a different feel, but one thing hasn’t changed, as in transition, FAU is the deadliest team remaining.
And if they make outside shots, the run will stay alive.
Strong shooting performances from Alijah Martin and Johnell Davis would also help. If they can make just enough shots and play just enough defense—a theme that has rung true the last few weeks—Florida Atlantic could find itself as the last team standing.
What a run.
3. San Diego State
It has not come easy for San Diego State, but don’t let that take away from a magical run.
A six-point win against No. 12 Charleston turned into a battle. A rout the following round over No. 12 Furman did not.
From there, however, the Aztecs conquered mighty Alabama, perhaps the best team in America. The encore was a captivating one-point win over a hot Creighton squad.
They have done it with a mix of elements, but the defense stands out. San Diego State has not allowed more than 64 points in a tournament game, and its relentless pace has proven to be difficult for elite teams to cope with.
In terms of balance, this team has much of it. Matt Bradley, the leading scorer, averaged just 12.5 points per game.
Contributions have come deep down the roster, which can help explain why the team is so fresh and difficult on the defensive side.
That style could ultimately decide a national title.
- Read all of our CBB betting tips for SDSU vs FAU predictions.
2. Miami
After slipping past No. 12 Drake in the opener, Miami has looked anything but wobbly.
The Hurricanes have since taken down No. 4 Indiana, No. 1 Houston, and No. 2 Texas, winning two of those games by double digits. Beating Texas to reach the Final Four, of course, did not come easy.
After falling behind early, Miami rallied with a dominant second half, outscoring the Longhorns by 15. It did so despite making only two three-pointers.
That speaks volumes about the ability to score on the roster. Isaiah Wong is the headliner, although Jordan Miller was the dominant force last game.
In general, Miami is more reliant on its starters than most, which isn’t a bad thing when the starters play like they have.
1. UConn
As upsets and close calls have become a constant in the tournament, UConn has been on a mission. The Huskies have won three of their four games by at least 20 points, and they beat Saint Mary’s by 15, as well.
The 28-point win over surging Gonzaga was the most eye-popping win throughout the tournament. Simply put, this is the best team in college basketball right now by a wide margin.
Adama Sanogo is the star, although he has company. Jordan Hawkins isn’t far behind, and there is an abundance of emerging depth to deal with.
While so much has been influx over the past couple of weeks, this placement isn’t. UConn is the best team still standing.
- Click to see our UConn vs Miami best bets.
March Madness National Champion Bet: UConn (-125)
Oh, this CBB pick of the day is chalky. Let’s not run away from it. But this feels like the moment that a wild and weird run of games finally finds a comfortable, predictable landing.
UConn is playing the best basketball of any team remaining, and it also has the most talent. If the Huskies can conquer Miami, which will be no easy feat, they should be in line to win a title.
