College Basketball Handicapping – Final Four Facts And Stats

Final Four Facts and Stats

While politics and sports collide at this year’s Final Four, it shouldn’t slow the ratings with three No. 1 seeds ready to roll in Indianapolis with more entertaining basketball on the horizon. However, with both Kentucky and Duke posted as 5-point favorites, perhaps a little review of history will guide you to this year’s winners.

No. 1 Kentucky ( -5 ) vs. No. 1 Wisconsin

No. 1 Duke ( -5 ) vs. No. 7 Michigan State

There are plenty of tourney tips, previews and matchup analysis provided by the main stream media. But you won’t see some of the facts and stats regarding results.

* In 2008, all four No. 1 seeds made it to the Final Four. That’s the only time it’s ever happened, and this is the fifth time in 36 years that three No. 1 seeds have made the Final Four

* In the last 26 Final Four’s, 30 of the 52 games have been decided by 8 points or more, and the average winning margin of these 52 games has been 9 points per game.

* In the last 26 championship games, a No. 1 seed is 11-1 SU vs. any seed lower than No. 1.  Should Michigan State make the finals, they will be a prohibitive underdog to win.

* Since 1985, there have been five championship games featuring No. 1 vs. No. 1, and all five were decided by single digits.

* Teams that win the Saturday semifinal game by 10 points or more are 9-3 SU in the championship game.

* Championship game scoring has been down the last five years with a average of 122 PPG and the winner scoring less than 70 points in four of those games. Only once in the previous 24 years had the total points scored been lower than 122.

* Kentucky is 1-3 ATS and Wisconsin is 2-2 ATS in this year’s NCAA Tournament. Duke  and Michigan State are both 4-0 ATS.