NCAA Basketball: Mock 2020 NCAA Tournament Final 4 predictions
Holden Walter-Warner – @hwalterwarner
The Gonzaga Bulldogs and Kentucky Wildcats have no recent history against one another. They do, however, share some recent history of falling short in the NCAA Tournament. This Final Four meeting will be an opportunity for at least one of them to exorcise the demons.
It’s little surprise that Gonzaga made it to this point. They were one of the best teams throughout the year, losing just two games all season. Only one offense in the country was more potent than the Bulldogs’, which averaged 87.4 points per game.
It’s more of a surprise that Kentucky made it this far. Talent is abundant on the roster, but it didn’t always feel like it melded together in the right way. Nick Richards and Immanuel Quickley continued stepping up throughout the season, but Ashton Hagans disappeared down the stretch and Tyrese Maxey had his momentary struggles.
The key to this game will be 3-point shooting. Gonzaga isn’t drastically better at shooting from distance than Kentucky, sporting a 38.6 percent conversion rate versus Kentucky’s 34.3 percent success rate. But nine different players on the Bulldogs’ roster have made at least a third of their 3-pointers this season. Only Quickley and Nate Sestina have achieved that mark for the WIldcats, making it much easier for Gonzaga to shut down the perimeter.
Gonzaga 87, Kentucky 76
Gonzaga moves on with a 4-1 decision
Next. Takeaways from 2020 recruiting classes. dark
There you have it. Arguably the top two teams in the country, Gonzaga and Kansas will face off for our fictional national championship. Who will win it all? Find out Friday morning when seven of our top contributors decide who cuts down the final nets.