Virginia vs. Auburn: 5 key storylines in Final Four matchup

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MARCH 30: Kyle Guy #5 of the Virginia Cavaliers celebrates after a three pointer against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at KFC YUM! Center on March 30, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – MARCH 31: Bryce Brown #2 of the Auburn Tigers drives with the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats during the 2019 NCAA Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at Sprint Center on March 31, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

3. Two of the best backcourts in the country will be on display

One of the more fun storylines to follow in this one will be the four guys that will occupy their respective backcourts. Virginia’s junior backcourt of Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome will be going head-to-head with Auburn’s duo of junior Jared Harper and senior Bryce Brown in a battle of two of the more talented backcourts in the country.

Virginia’s duo of Jerome and Guy have had solid seasons, averaging 28.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists, while being efficient shooters, knocking down 44% of their shots including over 41% of those that have come from behind the arc. They both saved their best game of the season thus far in the elite 8 overtime victory over Purdue, going toe-to-toe with the Boilermakers’ Carsen Edwards with 49 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists.

Brown and Harper lead the team in scoring, Brown throws in 16 per game and Harper is right behind at 15.4. The two also grab over a steal per game and their quickness and ability to play suffocating defense is the catalyst for the Tigers’ ability to get out and run.

Both Brown and Harper have had a game in the spotlight during their run to Minneapolis. Brown had 25 points in the team’s second-round win over Kansas, including going 7-11 from behind the line. Like the Virginia guards, both Brown and Harper shined in the Elite 8 win over Kentucky, netting 50 of the team’s 77 points in the overtime tilt.

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