NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball: Final Four predictions

Owen’s Final Four Picks:

Men’s Final Four: Duke, Kansas, Alabama, Gonzaga

Duke

Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, who each performed great in their debuts, should make one of the best freshman duos in college basketball this season and help Duke make a Final Four push.

Kansas

Even with the departures of Kevin McCullar Jr. and Johnny Furphy, the Jayhawks are primed to go on a Final Four run with senior big man Hunter Dickinson, and the returning wing duo of KJ Adams Jr. and Dajaun Harris Jr.

Averaging an 18 point double-double per game last year, Dickinson will be looking to have a Wooden Award-caliber year for the Jayhawks.

Alabama

Senior guard Mark Sears returned to the Crimson Tide for this upcoming season, making Alabama more of a threat than they were last year. Sears and the depth show they have what it takes to make another Final Four run.

Gonzaga

The Bulldogs, led by their senior starting lineup of Nolan Hickman, Ryan Nembhard, Khalif Battle, Ben Gregg and Graham Ike, make up one of the most dynamic teams in college basketball.

Women’s Final Four: South Carolina, UConn, USC, Notre Dame

South Carolina

Pretty obvious. Although they survived a scare in their opening game against Michigan, they are back-to-back national champions, and I don’t see any other team getting in their way on route to another Final Four appearance.

UConn

The Huskies are led by star point guard Paige Bueckers. She averaged 21.9 points per game on an efficient 53% shooting last season. In last year’s tournament, the Huskies lost in a thriller against a Caitlin Clark-led Iowa team in the Final Four. Coming back with a different attitude, they hope for a Final Four run once again.

USC

Last season, USC was led by standout freshman Juju Watkins, who went on to average 27.1 points per game. Adding stud senior Kiki Iriafen from Stanford should help Watkins and improve their hopes of making the Final Four.

Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish are led by an excellent starting lineup that consists mainly of Olivia Miles, Hannah Hidalgo, Liatu King. In their first game of the season they dismantled Mercyhurst in a 105-61 blowout victory with each of their starters scoring 17-plus points.

After losing in the Sweet 16 of the tournament last season, Notre Dame has built a complete team that could battle all the way to the Final Four.

Austin’s Final Four Picks:

Men’s Final Four: Houston, Arizona, UConn, Alabama

Houston

Even with the departure of star point guard Jamal Shead, the Cougars bring back pretty much every other key contributor from a year ago.

Houston has made it to the Sweet 16 or deeper in five straight NCAA Tournaments and has been a No. 1 seed in consecutive Big Dances. It’s about time they break through with a championship.

Arizona

The Wildcats have yet to break through in the tournament but maybe that changes this season.

Caleb Love returns for Arizona along with other talented shotmakers.

This is a Final Four caliber group and I think the drought ends with Arizona making it to the Final Four for the first time since 2001.

UConn

How could I not pick the back-to-back defending champions to go back to the Final Four.

Obviously a lot of talent walked out the door to the pros but with head coach Dan Hurley not being one of them, I have confidence that UConn will make another appearance in the Final Four.

Alabama

The Tide have one of the best players in the country with Mark Sears along with one of the deepest rosters in the country.

The Crimson Tide reached their first Final Four in program history last season, and this roster will be even better.

Women’s Final Four: USC, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Texas

USC

With returners JuJu Watkins and Rayah Marshall coming back for another season to lead the way, the Trojans could make a run to the Final Four.

Notre Dame

The Irish could come out of the ACC as a true national title contender.

The centerpiece for Notre Dame is the 19-year-old Hannah Hidalgo, who averaged 22.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 44.6% from the floor a year ago.

South Carolina

This is a pretty obvious pick. South Carolina has basically dominated the last handful of years and it definitely seems it will continue.

They are for sure Final Four favorites if not national title favorites.

Texas

Texas continues to get better and that’s what is needed especially playing in the SEC now.

Playing a tough regular season conference schedule goes well for the Longhorns and will prepare them for a deep run in the tournament.

Andrew’s Picks:

Men’s Final Four: Houston, Duke, Alabama, Kansas

Houston

The Cougars consistently have one of the top defenses and the most disciplined teams. This is the year they make it to the Final Four with another top defense in the country.

Duke

One of the most loaded teams, led by potential Freshman of the Year, Flagg, Duke makes the run to the Final Four backed by the depth on the squad.

Alabama

Mark Sears is a National Player of the Year candidate and his ability to score will boost the Crimson Tide to the Final Four.

Kansas

The deepest team in the country, the Jayhawks are the team to beat this year for the National Championship with multiple players having the ability to take over in a game.

Women’s Final Four: UConn, South Carolina, USC, Notre Dame

UConn

The Huskies remain one of the top programs in the country and with a fully healthy Paige Bueckers back on the team, they are one of the teams to beat this season.

South Carolina

The Gamecocks remain the top powerhouse in the entire country and anything less than the Final Four should be a disappointment.

USC

JuJu Watkins will be in the brightest lights this year and she’ll lead the team to a Final Four appearance while garnering Caitlin Clark comparisons.

Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish are back in the national conversation and another great season could lead to a run to the Final Four.

Giustino Final Four Picks:

Men’s (Duke, Arizona, Kansas, North Carolina)

Duke

The Blue Devils have one of the top recruiting classes in the country this year and I think that is what gets them to the finish line and the national title game.

Arizona

Caleb Love is back for another season and that impact might be enough to carry the touch for the Wildcats.

Kansas

Bill Self is one of my favorite and one of the best coaches in the country. Kansas returns a deep lineup to try and push for another run at the title.

North Carolina

North Carolina is a team to watch out for in my opinion. Hubert Davis is a coach that is very underrated in my opinion, which will play out well this year.

Women’s Picks:

UConn, USC, South. Carolina, Notre Dame

UConn

The Huskies return one of the most potent scores in the entire sport in Paige Bueckers who has had to battle through numerous injuries. UConn is the most powerful programs in the country this year, and the women’s team will show why.

USC

Juju Watkins was overshadowed by the greatness of Caitlyn Clark last year, but not it’s her turn in the spotlight.

She will likely be the leading scorer in the country this year which will help the Trojans.

South Carolina

Dawn Staley is the goat of women’s collegiate sports, which means they will be in contention for many years to come.

Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish have produced lots of talent that has gotten them to the Final Four before, and this year is no different.

This is my surprise of the women’s final four for this upcoming season.


Owen Daszko is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email opd5073@psu.edu.

Austin Moran is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email acm6506@psu.edu

Andrew Deal is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email asd5765@psu.edu

Giustino Racchini is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him you can email him at gar5448@psu.edu.