Paths to Final Four: Florida Atlantic, San Diego State Take Next Step
No. 9 Florida Atlantic and No. 5 San Diego State are teams in the Final Four that no March Madness expert picks saw coming. Mid-major programs are what make the NCAA Tournament so special. These small schools make improbable runs, shocking the nation. It happens every year, and each time it’s something no one could have predicted.
The collision between the Owls and Aztecs in Saturday’s Final Four will be one to remember. We rarely see two mid-majors meet this far. In fact, the 2011 NCAA Tournament was the last time two mid-major teams faced in the Final Four, which was No. 11 VCU against No. 8 Butler.
These have been well-earned runs by Florida Atlantic and San Diego State. However, the path of each program reaching its first Final Four is vastly different.
Owls Come Out of Nowhere
Florida Atlantic joined Division 1 college basketball in 1993. From 1993 to 2022, the Owls appeared in only one NCAA Tournament, making a first-round exit in 2002. This season changed everything.
This was the first season FAU reached 20 wins since joining Division 1. It is at 35 victories and counting and will finish with the most wins in college basketball. If the Owls win it all, 37 wins would be the most since Gonzaga’s 37 in the 2016-17 season. According to NCAA basketball lines, they hold the highest odds to win the national championship (+600).
Florida Atlantic also appeared in the AP Poll’s Top 25 for the first time this season. It spent five weeks in the top 25, including No. 25 in the final week of rankings. The Owls were one of the most popular March Madness picks among mid-major teams. FAU had great guard play, balance and efficiency for most of the season.
However, this kind of run has been jaw-dropping. If the Owls simply won their first game in the NCAA Tournament, this would have been a successful postseason. Instead, they have a legit chance of winning a national championship. Florida Atlantic has made its first Final Four in its second NCAA Tournament. Not bad, not bad at all.
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, FLORIDA ATLANTIC IS GOING TO THE FINAL FOUR!!!!!!!!!!#WinningInParadise #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/0S7Z21pNNp
— FAU Men’s Basketball – Final Four Bound (@FAUMBB) March 26, 2023
Many major programs are jealous. How about Alabama? It was one of the sportsbook’s national title favorites and fell in the Sweet 16. The Crimson Tide have yet to make a Final Four and have one Elite Eight appearance in 2004. FAU fans should rejoice no matter the result on Saturday. Getting this far is no easy feat, even for major conference programs.
Long Time Coming for the Aztecs
San Diego State’s path has been far different. The Aztecs have been a power in the Mountain West for years. Coach Steve Fisher, who was with Michigan from 1988 to 1997, changed SDSU’s program.
Before he took over, the Aztecs made three NCAA Tournaments from 1969 to 1999. Under Fisher, from 1999 to 2017, San Diego State made nine tournaments. Its first win came in 2011 when it was a No. 2 seed. The Aztecs made two Sweet 16s and had six tournament wins with Fisher at the helm. SDSU steadily became a popular March Madness prediction over the last 20 years.
After the legendary coach retired, longtime assistant Brian Dutcher took over. Since the 2017-18 season, the Aztecs made four NCAA Tournaments. However, Dutcher had zero tournament wins before this season’s magical run. In 2020, March Madness was canceled, which was devastating for San Diego State. It was 30-2 and poised for a deep run with a No. 1 seed.
This season’s team finally broke through. Not only did the Aztecs make their first Elite Eight, they will play in the Final Four. SDSU has slowly built a national profile since Fisher was hired in 1999. There’s no doubt that this is one of college basketball’s best mid-major programs. Now, it has the chance to take the next step. The Aztecs’ odds to win March Madness are +350, which ranks second behind UConn at -125.
Don’t miss this much-anticipated clash between Florida Atlantic and San Diego State. Will the newcomer ruin the Aztecs’ title hopes, or will SDSU end the Owls’ shocking run? Las Vegas odds favor San Diego State by two points.
