The Sweet 16 is set, and we're two rounds away from the 2019 Final Four, which begins April 6 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
With that in mind, Sporting News explored all the enticing Final Four possibilities — many of which revolve around Duke, which survived a second-round scare against UCF. Now that Zion Williamson and the Blue Devils put away 7-6 Tacko Fall and the Knights, who else could get in the way?
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Here’s a closer look at eight intriguing Final Four combinations:
The one national networks want
Duke, Michigan, Tennessee, North Carolina
This will likely be the most-sought after combination by national networks. It allows for the continual tease of a national championship game between the Tar Heels and Blue Devils. Before that, however, you get Duke-Michigan in Minneapolis in a role reversal of the 1992 NCAA championship game. This time, the Blue Devils have the star-studded freshman lineup. You also get Tennessee’s hot-and-cold-team against the Tar Heels in the Final Four. (This would go well with my bracket, too.)
Networks would also take
Duke, Gonzaga, Virginia, Kentucky
If you can’t get the Duke-North Carolina storyline, then Duke-Kentucky is a close runner-up. Those have been the top two programs this decade. If that does not materialize, perhaps Gonzaga and Virginia meet in a game between teams with the first- and third-best regular-season records, respectively, of the last five years. Somebody would finally get that national championship.
The one SEC fans want
LSU, Florida State, Tennessee, Kentucky
Auburn could win the Midwest Region too (giving you Bruce Pearl against the Vols), but Kentucky would be the bigger draw with LSU and Tennessee. Florida State would add another Southern school to the mix. This would take some focus off spring football practice — but just for a week.
The one Big Ten fans want
Michigan State, Michigan, Purdue, Auburn
You would get the fourth game between Michigan State and Michigan — in the Final Four, no less — and Purdue would break a Final Four drought that extends back to 1980. Why Auburn for the fourth spot? Big Ten teams have their last seven national championship games since Michigan State won it all in 2000. The Big Ten brass will want to take their chances against the lowest seed, if possible.
MORE: Ranking Sweet 16 teams' chances of winning it all
The one ACC fans want
Duke, Florida State, Virginia, North Carolina
The network launches in August, but there’s no doubt the conference would flex if Duke or Virginia Tech, Florida State, Virginia and North Carolina made the Final Four. It’s possible to get all four ACC Tournament semifinalists to Minneapolis. That is a testament to just how good those four teams — and this conference — have been.
One with West Coast appeal
LSU, Gonzaga, Oregon, Houston
Start in Baton Rouge, La., cross the Mississippi River and go West. This would do poorly in the East Coast time zone, but at least these teams would complain less about the late start time on Monday night. These schools are a combined 1-3 in the NCAA title game.
One with most Final Fours
Duke, Michigan, Oregon, North Carolina
These four schools have 46 combined Final Four appearances, and that counts the two vacated by Michigan. Virginia and Purdue have two Final Four appearances, but we gave the nod to Oregon because the Ducks won the first NCAA championship game in 1939.
One with no Final Fours
Virginia Tech, Texas Tech, Tennessee, Auburn
Ratings would not be great, but don’t tell these programs that. The Tech battle would be well-deserved for coaches Buzz Williams and Chris Beard if they can lead their teams through tough regions, and the SEC would not have trouble selling Bruce Pearl and the Tigers against his former team, especially considering Auburn beat the Vols on March 9 and again in the SEC Tournament championship on March 17.
Zac Al-Khateeb [11:48 AM]MORE: Why your team won't make the Final Four
One with highest seeds remaining
Duke, Gonzaga, Virginia, North Carolina
All No. 1 seeds for the first time since 2008. These have been the four most-consistent teams all season, and there is nothing wrong with chalk punching through to the Final Four. Gonzaga beat Duke at full strength. Virginia beat North Carolina in their only regular-season meeting.
One with lowest seeds remaining
Virginia Tech, Florida State, Oregon, Auburn
Would this be a better College Football Playoff? After all, Virginia Tech-Florida State and Oregon-Auburn were championship games in the BCS era. These traditional football schools, however, would enjoy the spotlight in Minneapolis just the same.
