Last year’s Final Four was a battle of the Blue Bloods. We saw Kansas, North Carolina, Duke, and Villanova battle it out for a National Title. Now this year, it’s one big chaotic clash. No top three seed made the Final Four and only one team remains that has won a National Title prior. That’s the UConn Huskies. With only four teams left, I’m putting together the best five man starting five with a bench and coach consisting of just players from the remaining four teams.
G: Darrion Trammell, San Diego State
The Aztecs leader on this remarkable tournament run has been Darrion Trammell. He plays the most minutes on the team and is their leading scorer this tournament. Over San Diego State’s four games, Trammell is averaging 12.8 points per game, 4 rebounds per game, and 0.8 steals per game. The shifty guard went toe-to-toe with Jahvon Quinerly from Alabama and went off. In the Aztecs Sweet Sixteen matchup, he dropped 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals. That was a game that everyone, even myself, was saying the Aztecs shouldn’t have been in. But thanks to the elite play from Trammell, they’re playing on Saturday in the Final Four.
G: Jordan Hawkins, UConn
Adama Sanogo has been dominating on the block for UConn while Jordan Hawkins has been killing it from the guard position. This tournament he’s averaging 17.3 points per game, 3 rebounds per game, and 1.3 assists per game. What Hawkins has been doing from beyond the arc in tandem with Joey Calcaterra has been outstanding. Hawkins is playing like a man possessed right now and no one has an answer for him. Not Gonzaga, not Arkansas, and not even the Monstars from Space Jam have an answer for Hawkins.
G: Isaiah Wong, Miami
Miami is seeing a lot of success from the guard position, but their guy who is the most well-rounded is Isaiah Wong. Wong is averaging 16.5 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, 1.5 assists per game, and 1 steal per game. Against the one seeded Houston Cougars, Wong went off. He dropped 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists while shooting 9-11 from the line. Wong has proven to be a fantastic leader for the Hurricanes on this surprising tournament run and one that Miami needs.
F: Adama Sanogo, UConn
What isn’t Adama Sanogo doing this tournament? He’s locking down the nation’s top forward, playing defense like prime Bill Laimbeer, and from sources in Storrs, I’m hearing he’s even filling the waters when he’s grabbing a breather. This tournament, Sanogo has been a beast. He’s averaging 20 points per game, 9.8 rebounds per game, 1.8 assists per game, and 1.3 blocks per game. When UConn played Gonzaga and he matched up vs Drew Timme, Sanogo stepped up his play. He recorded a double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 block.
F: Vladislav Goldin, Florida Atlantic
He’s lean, mean, and a defensive machine. Vladislav Goldin has locked down the paint all tournament long for the Owls and is a huge reason why Florida Atlantic has gotten this far. In their four tournament games, Goldin is averaging 7.8 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game, and 1.5 blocks per game. Goldin’s best game came on the biggest stage thus far. Against Kansas State, the 7’1 shot blocker had a double-double with 14 points, 13 boards, 2 assists, and 2 blocks. He’s efficient on both ends of the floor and opens up the outside shot for the Owls by dominating the paint.
Bench: Andre Jackson, UConn
While Sanogo and Hawkins have been the flash and dash for Coach Hurley’s squad, Andre Jackson is the level-headed leader. Coach Hurley actually called Jackson “the best leader” he ever coached. That’s high praise. Throughout this years tournament, Jackson is averaging just south of a triple-double with 7.8 points per game, 7 rebounds per game, 7 assists a game, and 1 steal a game. Jackson is playing great and balanced basketball setting up teammates like Jordan Hawkins, Adama Sanogo, and Alex Karaban.
Bench: Nijel Pack, Miami
While Wong has been Miami’s trusted leader, Nijel Pack has been on a heater. Pack is averaging 18.5 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, and 1 steal per game. In the past two games vs Texas and Houston, he’s elevated his play for the brightest lights. Against Texas, he shot 6-12 with 15 points and 1 steal. Against Houston, he went 7-10 from beyond the arc and dropped 26 points.
Bench: Johnell Davis, Florida Atlantic
Had it not been for me trying to put a player from every team in the starting five, Johnell Davis would have been in. He’s on a tear right now. Davis is averaging 17.3 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, and 1.5 steals per game. Goldin locks down the paint for the Owls while Davis scours the perimeter, stealing passes and knocking down shots.
Coach: Dan Hurley, UConn
No other coach has brought as much passion and fire to the bench this tournament than the one and only Dan Hurley. His Huskies have an average margin of victory of 22.5 points over these four games and their two best performances came vs a talented SEC squad in Arkansas and one of the countries most feared teams in Gonzaga. While Sanogo, Hawkins, and Jackson kill it on the court, Hurley has been killing it as a coach. Any team that’s gotten in their way has been mowed down. Now, two more games potentially lie ahead.
