Seeds and history say it’s a shock they’re even here, but both Florida Atlantic and San Diego prove they belong.
Both the Owls and Aztecs have made their Final Four debuts in seasons including other firsts. He made only one NCAA Tournament appearance and was the 15th seed in 2002.
But Dusty May, in his fifth season, had a winning record every year before the Owls soared to historic heights. The FAU has him 35-3, placing him 19th in his AP poll in early February. The Owls swept both his season and tournament titles as a C-USA regular before earning the No. 9 seed in the NCAA Tournament. That’s where the close races started (1, 8, 7, 3 win percentages). But all win.
Offensively, the Owls are top 40 in points per game (78) and top 15 in 3-pointer successes (9.6 per game). Jonel Davis leads with 13.9 points per game while adding 5.5 boards. Vladislav Goldin has shot 62.7% with 10.3 points and 6.6 rebounds. On defense, FAU is top 20 in his FG percentage as his opponents only shoot 40.2%.
Meanwhile, San Diego State won the Mountain West regular season and conference tournaments, 31-6.
San Diego State reached Suite 16 in 2011 and 2014, and went 30-2 in the 2019-20 COVID-stopped season.
Brian Dutcher is in his fifth season as a coach. Longtime Steve Fisher assistant rolls the Aztecs and maintains its reputation as the best defensive program. Ranked. This matches Houston as his second-highest mark in the country, behind his 26.5 in Tennessee.
Matt Bradley’s 12.5 points per game matches Aztec’s pace. But from Darion Trammell’s 21 points against No. 1 Alabama in the Sweet 16, to Lamont’s 18 points on Butler’s 11-shot against his No. stepped up through
“It’s very similar to competing against ourselves in practice,” FAU coach May said Friday morning. “They played four games in the NCAA Tournament. They had four leading scorers. I mean, they’re looking at themselves in the mirror, you never know who the top scorer will be, but when you’re the top scorer, you get a lot of attention and Help other players succeed.
“Again, it’s a testament to how they are making sacrifices for the good of the team, not being selfish. So we see it every day, so be prepared for it. Mirror It’s like watching a
