Coach ,

We have two teams we all thought would be there for sure Gonzaga and Baylor. UCLA and Houston are playing great basketball at the right time.

Will we have the first undefeated season since 1975 with Gonzaga winning it all or will one of the other 3 find a way to knock off the Bulldogs?

Let’s take a look at each team.

UCLA Vs Gonzaga

Gonzaga is looking for their first-ever National Championship. They have been very impressive in their run to the Final Four. As much as everyone discusses their offense they have been stellar on the defensive side of the ball. In the Elite Eight matchup vs. USC, they mixed up and came out in a 1-2-2 press and caused some early turnovers and jumped out to a big league.

On offense they are balanced. They can beat you from the perimeter or they can go inside. They like to blitz their opponents by getting out in transition and making it a track meet. 

Let’s take a look at how Gonzaga gets into a spread ball screen.

To call UCLA a Cinderella story is fascinating since they have won the most national championships (11) in men’s basketball. UCLA returns to the Final Four for the 19th time and first since 2008.

Be on the lookout for UCLA’s multiple ghost screen sets they use. Coach Cronin has done a great job and getting the hot player in each game the ball in areas they like to operate in. 

As much as Cronin likes to hang his hat on defense his offensive play calling has really impressed me. UCLA will need to control the tempo and prevent Gonzaga from getting out and running in transition to have a shot in this one.

Be on the lookout for UCLA multiple ghost screen sets they have used throughout the tournament: 

Also watch for them to dominate offensive boards. Coach Savino discusses here that every great rebounder must have the right mentality to attack the basket. This already has helped them win a game in the tournament. Will this be the deciding factor tonight?

Houston vs. Baylor

The Battle of Texas for the right to go to the Final Four.

Baylor has their mojo back and is playing great basketball. Houston will have their hands full with Davion Mitchell. He is one of the most explosive one-on-one players in that nation. The Baylor offense will look to spread the floor, use Iverson cuts, and ball screens on offense to take advantage of their skilled guards to draw two defenders and kick out for 3 pointers. 

Coach Drew has built the Baylor Basketball program on skill development learn how he does it at Baylor:

Advanced Guard Workout 

Guard Development Workout

Houston is a well-balanced team on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Where Houston has the advantage in this game is on the offensive glass. They are rebounding 39.8 percent of their misses which is 2nd in the nation this year. 

Coach Sampson discussing PNR Defense and Offensive Spacing

On offense, the Cougars will run lots of Iverson Cuts.

If you like the play diagrams check out Coach Bergstraser's new 2021 NCAA Tournament playbook with 67 tournament teams represented.

Enjoy the Final Four,

Leigh, Lason, and Marc and the Coaches Community Team