Brian Rauf

2 weeks ago | heatcheckcbb.com | Brian Rauf

With 15:48 left in the national championship game, Houston forward Ja’Vier Francis grabbed an offensive rebound and called timeout with the Cougars holding a 42-30 lead. Kelvin Sampson’s squad had just ripped off eight consecutive points and was in complete control. The Alamodome sensed that Houston was on the verge of blowing the game open. The players and coaches in the Florida huddle, however, may have been the only ones that didn’t feel that way.

3 weeks ago | heatcheckcbb.com | Brian Rauf

One day after a historic loss to Houston, Duke still feels like the center of the college basketball universe. Yes, there’s anticipation for Monday’s national championship game. But the astonishment over the Blue Devils’ absence from it is just as prevalent. This Duke team felt preordained. Cooper Flagg put forth a season we’ve never seen in college basketball. A potential title game matchup against Florida would’ve been the most anticipated since Gonzaga and Baylor squared off in 2021.

3 weeks ago | heatcheckcbb.com | Brian Rauf

Houston’s shocking comeback against Duke on Saturday night will live in college basketball lore forever. It was the fifth-largest comeback in Final Four history — Houston trailed by 14 points with 8:17 to play — and the Cougars scored the game’s final nine points to escape with an all-time steal. Even in this loaded Final Four, the second-ever to feature four No. 1 seeds, the Blue Devils were viewed as the juggernaut.

3 weeks ago | heatcheckcbb.com | Brian Rauf

This Florida team has rarely made it easy for itself in the NCAA Tournament. Naturally, the Gators needed another second-half rally to advance to the national championship game. But that’s exactly what they did en route to a thrilling 79-73 victory over Auburn on Saturday. Walter Clayton Jr. led the way with 34 points, the most by any player in the Final Four since Carmelo Anthony had 33 for Syracuse in 2003.

3 weeks ago | heatcheckcbb.com | Brian Rauf

It’s rare for a team’s best player not to be its most important player, but that’s where Auburn stands ahead of Saturday’s Final Four showdown with Florida. Johni Broome is Auburn’s undisputed star. There’s no doubt about that, especially given his season-long accolades and awards list appearances. But even though Broome has “no limitations” following his elbow injury against Michigan State, freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford’s play will have more of an impact on Auburn’s championship hopes.