The stage is set for the 2016 college basketball Final Four, with two ACC teams (North Carolina & Syracuse) on one side, while representatives from the Big East (Villanova) and the Big 12 (Oklahoma) playing on the other end.
North Carolina are the only number one seed who survived the field, making it with all double digit wins. Syracuse are the fifth double digit seed in tournament history to make it into the Final Four and the first team seeded as #10. Both Oklahoma and Villanova are number two seeds, knocking off number ones (Kansas & Oregon) along the way.
North Carolina Tar Heels
Regular season: Won ACC regular season and conference tournament titles; 14-4 in conference play, 32-6 overall.
History: Five times NCAA champions (last time in 2009). This is their 19th Final Four appearance and first since 2009.
2016 NCAA Tournament: A #1 seed, they beat Florida Gulf Coast 83-67 in the first round, Providence 85-66 in the second round, Indiana 101-86 in the Sweet Sixteen and Notre Dame 88-74 in the Elite Eight.
Up next: Syracuse, who they beat twice during the regular season, home & away.
Leading tournament scorer: Brice Johnson (21 points, 9.8 rebounds, 63% from the field).
Oklahoma Sooners
Regular season: 12-6 in the Big 12, 29-7 overall. Finished third in the league, lost in conference tournament semifinal.
History: Twice tournament runner-up (last in 1988). It’s their fifth Final Four, the previous one being in 2002.
2016 NCAA Tournament: A #2 seed, they beat Cal State Bakersfield 82-68 in the first round, VCU 85-81 in the second round, Texas A&M 77-63 in the Sweet Sixteen and Oregon 80-68 in the Elite Eight.
Up next: Villanova, who they beat 78-55 during the regular season.
Leading tournament scorer: Buddy Hield with 29.3 points per game.
Villanova Wildcats
Regular season: 16-2 in the Big East, 33-5 overall. Won the Big East regular season title, lost in the conference tournament final.
History: NCAA champions in 1985, their only win. It’s their fifth Final Four appearance and first since 2009.
2016 NCAA Tournament: A #2 seed, beat UNC Asheville 85-56 in the first round, Iowa 87-68 in the second round, Miami 92-69 in the Sweet Sixteen and Kansas 64-59 in the Elite Eight.
Up next: Oklahoma, a team they lost to by 23 points in the Pearl Harbor Classic earlier this season.
Leading tournament scorer: Ryan Arcidiacono with 16 points per game, shooting 62.5% from the field.
Syracuse Orange
Regular season: 9-9 in the ACC, 22-13 overall, finishing 10th in the regular season, while losing in the second round of the conference tournament.
History: Champions in 2003, their only tournament-era title. It’s their sixth Final Four and first since 2013.
2016 NCAA Tournament: A #10 seed, beat Dayton 70-51 in the first round, Middle Tennessee 75-50 in the second round, Gonzaga 63-60 in the Sweet Sixteen and Virginia 68-62 in the Elite Eight.
Up next: North Carolina, a team they’ve lost to twice during the regular season in conference play.
Leading tournament scorer: Michael Gbinije, averaging 16 points and 4 assists per game.