Aztecs know Final Four combatants Michigan and Arizona well, having faced both during the regular season
San Diego Union-Tribune • • sports
Key Points:
- San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher attended the Final Four in Indianapolis, where No. 1 seeds Michigan and Arizona will face off in a highly anticipated matchup between two historically dominant teams according to the Kenpom metric.
- Dutcher’s Aztecs played both Michigan and Arizona earlier in the season, losing heavily to Michigan 94-54 and Arizona 68-45, highlighting the physicality and size advantages of both teams.
- Michigan and Arizona rank as the third and fourth best teams in Kenpom history, with elite defensive efficiency and strong offensive metrics, but contrasting styles: Arizona excels in rebounding while Michigan dominates defensively with shot-blocking.
- Dutcher predicts Michigan will narrowly win due to their rim protection against Arizona’s inside attack, though he acknowledges the unpredictability of a single-elimination Final Four game.
- Both teams have evolved through their encounters with SDSU, with Michigan becoming a juggernaut after their game and Arizona learning to win through effort and defense, key factors for their deep NCAA tournament runs.
