2025-04-03T09:00:00Z

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This weekend promises to be an exhilarating showcase of talent in college basketball as the highly anticipated Final Four games unfold for both the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments. With a plethora of star players taking center stage, this year's event is a must-watch for sports fans, as it features both future NBA draft picks and potential National Player of the Year candidates.

Remarkably, for only the second time in history, all four No. 1 seeds have reached the Final Four in the men’s tournament. This sets the stage for an electrifying competition among the best teams in the nation. Meanwhile, in the women's bracket, three of the original top seeds have advanced, joined by the No. 2 seed UConn, a program known for its historical success and rich legacy, especially with standout player Paige Bueckers leading the charge.

The women's Final Four kicks off on Friday, featuring a thrilling matchup between the Texas Longhorns and the reigning champions, the South Carolina Gamecocks, starting at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Following this, UCLA will square off against UConn. The winning teams from these contests will face each other for the championship title on Sunday at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.

On Saturday, the men’s Final Four will see Florida take on Auburn, tipping off shortly after 6 p.m. Eastern Time, followed by a highly anticipated clash between Duke and Houston. The victors from these games will secure their spots in the national championship game scheduled for Monday night.

Fans can catch the women’s games on ESPN, while CBS will be broadcasting the men’s matches, ensuring a wide audience for what promises to be an exciting weekend filled with high-stakes basketball action.

Among the players to keep an eye on are:

1. Cooper Flagg, Duke Forward
   Cooper Flagg has become a household name this season, especially for those new to college basketball. This 6-foot-9 freshman is known for his boundless energy, impressive agility, and shooting capabilities that stand out even among seasoned players. He is not only a frontrunner for the National Player of the Year award but is also projected to be the top pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Flagg's journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and a national title would cap off an already stellar season for him and the Duke team. With a significant 20-point victory over Alabama, Duke has shown its mettle; however, they face a formidable opponent in Houston, recognized as the best defensive team in the country by the stats site KenPom.com. Additionally, fellow freshman Kon Knueppel is another name to watch, having proven himself as a top NBA prospect and Duke's second-leading scorer, stepping up admirably when Flagg has faced challenges.
2. Paige Bueckers, UConn Guard
   Is this finally the year for Paige Bueckers? When she first stepped onto UConn's campus in 2020, expectations were sky-high, especially following the program's impressive streak of 12 consecutive Final Four appearances. During her first year, Bueckers exceeded those expectations, leading the Huskies back to the Final Four and securing both AP and Naismith Player of the Year honors. Unfortunately, her journey has been marred by two severe knee injuries that kept her sidelined for the majority of her sophomore and junior seasons. Last year, her efforts were overshadowed by dominant teams like South Carolina and Iowa. Rather than heading to the WNBA, Bueckers chose to return to UConn, driven by the aspiration to win a national title for the first time since 2016—a feat that once seemed unimaginable. This season, she has been exceptional, dazzling fans with her three-point shooting, assists, and block shots. Off the court, she has also demonstrated her character, cooking meals for her fasting teammate during Ramadan. Keep an eye on freshman center Sarah Strong, who has also made headlines with her dominant performances, particularly in a recent game where she scored 22 points and grabbed 17 rebounds against USC.
3. Johni Broome, Auburn Forward
   Johni Broome, a 6-foot-10 forward and SEC Player of the Year, is another player to watch closely. His path to stardom has been quite different from Flagg's; Broome wasn’t a highly sought-after recruit in high school, receiving offers from only a handful of mid-major schools. He began his collegiate career at Morehead State before transferring to Auburn, where he has flourished in his fifth and final year of eligibility. This season, Broome has recorded an impressive 21 double-doubles. However, his recent performance raised some concerns as he suffered an elbow injury during Auburn’s Elite Eight win over Michigan State. Although he returned to the game, his missed practices this week are worth noting as the tournament progresses.
4. Lauren Betts, UCLA Center
   Standing at an imposing 6-foot-7, Lauren Betts has proven to be a challenging matchup for any opposing team. Averaging 20 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, Betts has played a pivotal role in guiding the UCLA women’s basketball team to their first-ever NCAA Final Four appearance. She has saved her most impressive performances for the tournament, recording two double-doubles and showcasing her defensive skills with a standout six-block showing against LSU in the Elite Eight. Although she faced foul trouble during that game, Betts highlighted the depth of her team, stating, “I don’t have to be in the game at all times. I have a team full of players who are just amazing and talented in their own right.” Keep an eye on UCLA’s playmaker guard, Kiki Rice, who has been averaging 13.5 points and 7.3 assists throughout the NCAA tournament.
5. Walter Clayton Jr., Florida Guard
   Florida has emerged as one of the most talented teams in the tournament, alongside Duke. Despite facing a tense moment in their Elite Eight matchup against Texas Tech, where they trailed by nine points with only three minutes left, Walter Clayton Jr. stepped up to save the day. Demonstrating remarkable poise under pressure, he drew double teams and created opportunities for his teammates to score, then went on to sink two long-range shots to secure the lead. His fearless play has made him a crucial asset to the team, and Florida coach Todd Golden lauded Clayton, stating, “There’s not another player in America you would rather have right now than Walter Clayton with the ball in his hands in a big-time moment.”

As the Final Four games approach, all eyes will be on these remarkable athletes who have not only showcased their skills throughout the season but also have compelling backstories that enrich their narratives in this thrilling tournament. Viewers can expect unforgettable moments and high-level competition in the days ahead.