Who wins March Madness semifinals?

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Duke, Florida, Auburn, Houston punch their ticket to the Final Four

The madness continues as Mackenzie Salmon previews the Men’s Final Four matchups, which will feature all No. 1 seeds for the first time since 2008.

Sports Seriously

We’re down to four in the NCAA men’s tournament, and fans couldn’t have asked for a much better quartet that will play in San Antonio to decide this year’s national champion.

All four No. 1 seeds managed to make the national semifinals for just the second time, creating an all-SEC matchup between Auburn and Florida in the first game Saturday and a nightcap featuring Duke and Houston.

Two of the teams – Duke and Auburn – were No. 1 in the poll for multiple weeks with the Blue Devils at the top spot entering the postseason. Houston and Florida both rose as high as No. 2.

The group is full of coaching and star power. Auburn has coach Bruce Pearl and potential national player of the year Johni Broome. Duke features freshman Cooper Flagg, Broom’s biggest competition for the award, and Jon Scheyer, who has kept the program among the national elite in three years after replacing Mike Krzyzewski. Houston coach Kelvin Sampson is in his third Final Four and the Cougars are seeking their first national title. Florida has twice won championships this century and will rely on standout guard Walter Clayton to lead them.

So who wins these two matchups Saturday? Our experts weigh in.

Jordan Mendoza: Did Auburn learn from the first meeting? Both teams have been vulnerable during the tournament, and Johni Broom’s health looms large. The Tigers lead at halftime, but another clutch performance by Walter Clayton Jr. gets Florida in the title game. Florida 85, Auburn 80.

Paul Myerberg: Auburn’s experience and maturity has been a huge advantage in this tournament. A veteran lineup has helped the Tigers survive stiff tests from Creighton, Michigan and Michigan State. Florida is a different animal than what Auburn has faced so far. The Gators’ depth and 3-point shooting…

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Source link : https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2025/04/05/final-four-picks-predictions-march-madness/82794485007/

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Publish date : 2025-04-05 10:04:00

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