First look at the 2019 Final Four

How they beat you: Auburn wants to run. Bruce Pearl strongly believes in mastering the tempo, especially with junior Jared Harper (15.2 points per game) at the controls. Harper's small size overwhelms you, but he plays without fear and understands exactly how to get down. Harper's speed helps pave the way for Bryce Brown, whose throng of triples helped bury Kentucky in the Elite Eight. Remember, Auburn ranks sixth in the country in adjusted offensive effectiveness, according to KenPom. Even without the versatile Chuma Okeke (38.7% 3, 1.8 GSP and 1.2 GGB), Auburn was able to defend against the Wildcats' physical frontlines with PJ Washington and Reid Travis.

Defensively, this is where the Tigers made the most significant progress of this tournament and throughout the SEC tournament. Holding a heavyweight like Kentucky at only 71 points in a game in OT – and less than 24% against the depths – with the same number of turnovers (14) as aids, was the difference. The help defense was great, but Auburn's individual defense was even more important. She was competent enough to avoid over-helping – and avoiding open triples. – Jordan Schultz

How do you beat them: You must limit Auburn's assets because her offense helps to determine the tenor she establishes defensively. Auburn returned to Kentucky for defensive reasons, but it took a triple barrage and a good half-court offense for the stops to end. When the Tigers find themselves in the half-court, the key is to force the ball out of Harper's hands. His pick-and-roll creativity often helps to overcome the lack of offensive weapons and create a clean look for Brown (40.7% of the 3 and a team top of 15.8 PPG). Auburn is the fourth country to score points and ranks in the top 25 with a percentage of 3 points. Slip all Harper bullet screens and get beaten by someone else, preferably indoors. He and Brown won the second All-SEC team. Even limiting one of them greatly impairs the Tigers' ability to score points. – Jordan Schultz

Michigan State Spartans

How they beat you: Cassius Winston and the inner defense. These two forces of nature are not making history, but they have been a very big part of the state of Michigan to qualify for the Final Four. Winston is a master with the ball in his hands, scoring from both sides of the arc, making fouls and, in particular, providing an accurate point assist to the pending teammates. It has no favorite speed and can make you fall as easily as blowing through you.

As the season progressed, Winston's helpers were increasingly attributed to Xavier Tillman, the still underrated second student who was last seen delivering a thunderous and decisive dunk to the end of the Spartans' victory over Duke. On the other side of the ball, MSU has been the elite all season long to impose the misfires. Few defenses can cast Tillman, Nick Ward and Kenny Goins on you and have (almost) always two of these guys on the ground. – John Gasaway

How do you beat them: Attack the offensive glass. The very name "Izzo" is supposed to be synonymous with rebound, but, for some reason, this particular group is known to fight on its defensive boards. LSU and Duke combined 37% of their chances, and one of the best crimes against MSU defense is a missed shot. When the Spartans get a defensive score, invest early in possession by refusing the ball to Winston. Do not let the Spartan offense dedicate these first 10 seconds of the shot clock to Winston who will sound in the half-court, as he dies dead. Never keep Tillman beyond the bow and do not be afraid to put Aaron Henry on the line. – John Gasaway

Texas Tech Red Raiders

How they beat you: Chris Beard has reached the first final of his school with the most effective defense of the United States. The secret of the Red Raiders is in their staff. With Tariq Owens (6 feet 10 inches), Matt Mooney (6-3), Jarrett Culver (6-6), Davide Moretti (6-2) and Norense Odiase (6-8) – and guys like Brandone Francis ( 6-5) and Kyler Edwards (6-3) coming off the bench – Beard has the size and athletics (Owens has an average of 2.4 blocks per game) to avoid defensive imbalances and support each other when & # 39; They are beaten. When opposing players drive, they must go through two or three capable Red Raiders. When these attempts fail over time, they are content to shoot at the perimeter. Here's the problem: Texas Tech recovers often to challenge these shots. See: Owens blocks Rui Hachimura's shot late in Saturday's win against Gonzaga. Michigan was happy with three points (1 of 19) in their loss to Texas Tech in the Sweet 16.

"Defensively, they read the screening report," said Isaiah Livers of Michigan. "They knew what the guys liked to do, they knew who the shooters and the drivers were and you had to get by." In attack, they play against Culver, a first round pick that requires additional defensemen and opens the floor to his teammates. They will go to iso and attack the mismatch. At the beginning of the game Gonzaga, Mooney realized that he could post Josh Perkins. Mooney, Moretti and Owens can all score. Evidence? Culver finished 5-in-19 in the win over Gonzaga. – Myron Medcalf

How do you beat them: It all starts with Culver. In their losses, he was frustrated. Against Gonzaga on Saturday, he struggled to be beautiful against Hachimura and other defenders. However, once he has succeeded, it is difficult to stop Texas Tech. In total, Culver made 30 turnovers in the six Texas Tech defeats. With Culver in trouble, Texas Tech made less than 45% of their shots in the arc in five of the six defeats.

It is also important to have a good leader, who can both facilitate action in attack and get defensive stops. The teams that beat Texas Tech this season had this list of quality leaders: Tre Jones, Nick Weiler-Babb, Devon Dotson, Jordan McCabe, Kamau Stokes and Makai Mason. Opponents must also take advantage of their perimeter pace and end up on chances at the second chance. Anything that a team can do to get Owens, their leading advocate, is also encouraged. He has failed four times and finished 11 games with four fouls this season. Overall, you can not defeat Texas Tech without an always effective offensive effort and a defensive assault on Culver. Easier to say than to do with the group, though. – Myron Medcalf

Virginia Cavaliers

How they beat you: Ask any CCA coach and he'll tell you it's exhausting to face the Cavaliers. Tony Bennett's team keeps all opponents away from his pace with his straight and half-court style. The Cavaliers play the slowest tempo of the country. Virginia's business card is still on the defensive with the Cavaliers ranked in the top seven in adjusted defensive efficiency for the sixth straight season. They pack the paint, block the traffic lanes and essentially try to force their opponents to take three contested points.

But this year's Virginia team is slightly different – the Cavaliers can score. In fact, their offensive efficiency is greater than their defensive efficiency. Ty Jerome is one of the country's most confident guards, able to be shot for himself or for others. Kyle Guy tirelessly launches behind the scenes and screens, looking to open up to the jumpers. The key is De – Andre Hunter. The future choice in the top 10 brings a dimension to the offensive end of the plateau that Virginia did not often have with Bennett. They wear the teams with their style, they take care of the ball, they make shots and they force the teams to make difficult jumpers – it is terribly difficult to beat the Cavaliers. – Jeff Borzello

How do you beat them: Having Carsen Edwards on your team is a good start. Well, since Purdue is still lost despite Edwards' superhuman effort, it may not even work. Listen, Virginia is very hard to beat. The Cavaliers have lost only six times in the last two seasons, including two this season against Duke and the 16-on-1 shock against UMBC. They are not perfect, however.

The offensive, although improved compared to previous years, can still struggle if the guards do not shoot. After a series of wins in February and March when Virginia shot 40% or more after 3 games in five straight games, the Cavaliers shot 33.3% or less in each of their last five games. Guy's resurgence in the perimeter of the second half of Saturday is the main reason Virginia is still playing. Hunter had been relatively anonymous for three full games until Saturday's overtime play.

Now, how do you brand Virginia? The easy answer is simply to make 3 points. Purdue made 14 wins on Saturday, while Duke buried 13 defeats earlier this season. This is not the only way, though. Virginia can still be beaten by teams much longer and athletic than them. As mentioned, Duke did it twice and Florida State treated it to double digit in the ACC tournament. – Jeff Borzello