After 60 video games, we’ve lastly made it to Dallas. There have been upsets, dominant performances, come-from-behind victories, wild buckets, disappointing losses, time beyond regulation wins and last-second photographs. And there’s nonetheless extra to return.

My document of selecting in opposition to the unfold is 34-26. I’ve taken some dangers on various picks and have missed on some shut unfold calls. Typically the ball sails by means of the online, typically it hits the rim and bounces off. That’s basketball.

Listed here are the Ultimate 4 matchups and my picks in opposition to the unfold.

However first: In the event you’re unfamiliar with betting numbers, the final concept is you subtract regardless of the quantity is from the rating, and that ought to make it even. So “LSU (-1.5)” mainly means the Tigers ought to win by two factors in opposition to Virginia Tech. The .5 lets you choose a aspect, so there aren’t any ties. In brief, the workforce with the “-” quantity subsequent to it’s giving the opposite workforce that a lot of a lead on this figurative world. If “PK” is listed, it means the groups are rated even power and it’s a straight win or loss choose.

No. 3 LSU (-1.5) vs. No. 1 Virginia Tech, 7 p.m. (ET), ESPN

Love her or hate her, what Kim Mulkey has achieved with LSU in simply two seasons is unbelievable. She managed to place collectively the appropriate mixture of gamers who’re meshing on the excellent time. Transfers Angel Reese (Maryland), Kateri Poole (Ohio State), LaDazhia Williams (Missouri), Jasmine Carson (West Virginia), together with freshmen Flau’jae Johnson, Final-Tear Poa, Sa’Myah Smith and fifth-year senior Alexis Morris have blended so properly it’s exhausting to inform it’s their first season taking part in collectively. Although the Tigers have been knocked for his or her gentle regular-season schedule, they nonetheless gained these video games in dominant trend and have been profitable in SEC play — dropping solely as soon as to South Carolina. LSU is averages 38 factors per sport within the paint and holds opponents to 17.4 paint-points. Reese (23.2 factors and 15.7 rebounds) has greater than 30 double-doubles. The Tigers typically win by controlling the boards and getting buckets in transition off turnovers. They’re savvy, scrappy and fearless.

Virginia Tech is making its first look within the Ultimate 4 and deservedly so. The Hokies work exhausting in each side of the sport. The within-outside sport between Elizabeth Kitley (18.2 factors and 10.7 rebounds per sport) and Georgia Amoore (16.3 PPG) is poetry in movement. General, the Hokies have a balanced scoring assault. From drives within the lane to mid-range jumpers to perimeter capturing, Virginia Tech can damage opponents in any respect three ranges. With 4 starters averaging double-digits, it’s exhausting to comprise. Amoore has been on a tear, capturing 39 p.c from 3 within the match. The Hokies additionally defend the boards, conserving opponents off the glass. Defensive rebounding was an asset in opposition to Ohio State within the Elite Eight, however being good and affected person with the ball in the end propelled the Hokies. They not solely broke the Buckeyes’ full-court press, they made it look simple.

LSU might have extra versatility and athleticism within the frontcourt, however the Reese and Kitley inside matchup goes to be intense. Control the rebounding numbers. The Tigers get offensive rebounds at the next charge (45.6 p.c), whereas the Hokies excel at defending the glass. Virginia Tech has to restrict Reese and firm from capitalizing on second-chance factors. LSU additionally has the benefit in steals and blocks. The Tigers will look to get as many turnovers and transition buckets as they’ll. As the higher 3-point-shooting workforce, the Hokies have a number of gamers who can hit from outdoors. They’re averaging 24 3-point makes an attempt per sport within the match. LSU has to protect the perimeter and hold Amoore from getting within the lane, the place she’s so efficient at passing off or taking a high-percentage shot. Anticipate a back-and-forth chess match that would come all the way down to the ultimate possession. The choose: Virginia Tech

No. 2 Iowa vs. No. 1 South Carolina (-11.5), 9 p.m., ESPN

Consider it or not, the important thing to Iowa’s success this season isn’t Caitlin Clark. Is she a giant a part of it? Sure, in fact. With 11 triple-doubles and the primary 40-point triple-double in NCAA Match historical past (41 factors, 12 assists, 10 rebounds), how can she not be? Her season utilization charge is 35.7 p.c, and she or he’s assisted or scored on 58 p.c of the Hawkeye’s factors within the match. Within the win over Louisville, Clark scored nearly half (41 p.c) of the Hawkeye’s 97 factors. However even when she scored 40 factors in each matchup, she couldn’t have made it to the Ultimate 4 on her personal. The Hawkeyes wanted a full workforce effort to get right here, they usually’ve delivered.

The starters shall be taking the ground for the 91st time collectively on Friday evening. Iowa’s workforce chemistry is seen on each go to Monika Czinano within the lane, each break of the press, each rebound and kick-out to the highest of the important thing for a deep Clark 3-pointer, and each dish to Gabbie Marshall for a fringe shot. The Hawkeyes are taking part in unbelievable workforce basketball, whilst Clark shines individually.

GO DEEPER

Iowa vs. South Carolina: The Ultimate 4 assembly we wished and ladies’s basketball wants

South Carolina has come full circle. It’s been one 12 months because the Gamecocks held the 2022 championship trophy above their heads with ideas of operating it again. Undefeated by means of 42 video games, they’ll put the ultimate stamp on one of many best workforce runs in ladies’s school basketball, cementing themselves alongside UConn, Tennessee, Texas and Baylor. The Gamecocks have a proficient roster from begin to end, filled with bench gamers who could be starters on different groups. Aliyah Boston is the usual within the put up as an entire two-way participant. Her skill to see the ground, make the appropriate go, rating successfully and defend the rim is subsequent degree. Add within the further expertise round her, and it’s exhausting to discover a weak spot anyplace on the ground — even at level guard, as South Carolina discovered its resolution in Raven Johnson and Kierra Fletcher.

Although Iowa has the sting offensively (51 p.c FG), South Carolina is healthier on protection and on the boards. The Gamecocks have the depth to place a number of gamers on Clark, and she or he’s going to need to expend quite a lot of power to get open seems. It’s quite a bit more durable to make photographs in opposition to the Gamecocks’ size and quickness. Second-chance factors could possibly be an issue if the Hawkeyes aren’t in a position to compete on the boards, and foul hassle is probably a problem. Iowa must capitalize on open seems and turnovers in transition. I’ve stated it earlier than and I’ll say it once more: On the subject of South Carolina, each basket counts, and Iowa goes to wish each single level to drag off an upset. The Gamecocks will make it again to the title sport, however the Hawkeyes go down capturing. The choose: Iowa

(Picture of Kayana Traylor and Taylor Soule: Alika Jenner / Getty Photographs)