Everything you need to know about the 2024 Final Four

The 2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament has been whittled down to four teams, including last year’s NCAA champion UConn. The Huskies were a surprise winner last season as a No. 4 seed, who knocked off the likes of fifth-seeded Saint Mary’s, No. 8 Arkansas, and third-seeded Gonzaga in domineering fashion on their way to the school’s sixth Final Four appearance.

The domination did not stop there. UConn defeated No. 5 seed Miami 72-59 in the national semifinal, then collected the school’s fifth title with a 76-59 win over No. 5 San Diego State.

The Huskies look even tougher in 2024, with their smallest margin of victory a staggering 17 points in the NCAA Tournament thus far.

History is on the line for UConn, who’s going for a sixth national title, while two of the other three Final Four teams have a chance at a first-time NCAA championship. Below YouBet breaks down everything you need to know ahead of the 2024 Final Four set for this Saturday in Arizona.

Which teams are in the 2024 Final Four?

Defending champ UConn (35-3), a No. 1 seed and the East Region winner, will clash with No. 4 seed Alabama (25-11), who comes out of the West Region. Another No. 1 seed, Purdue (33-4), made it out of the Midwest Region and will confront No. 11 North Carolina State (26-14) from the South Region.

UConn and N.C. State also etched their names in history this season with both women’s teams reaching the Final Four as well. It’s the first time two schools have had their men’s and women’s team play in the Final Four in the same year.

UConn is not unfamiliar with both men’s and women’s teams competing in the Final Four in the same season. It previously happened in 2004, 2009, 2011, and 2014. Both teams won in 2004 and 2014.

When is the Final Four?

The 2024 Final Four will get underway Saturday, April 6. Tipoff of North Carolina State vs. Purdue is 6:09 p.m. ET, followed by Alabama vs. UConn at 8:49 p.m. ET.

Where is the Final Four?

The Final Four will be held in Glendale, Arizona inside State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals and college football’s Fiesta Bowl.

The Final Four has been held in Glendale one other time, in 2017, when No. 1 seed North Carolina defeated fellow No. 1 Gonzaga 71-65 to earn the school’s sixth NCAA basketball title.

How do I watch the 2024 NCAA Final Four?

You can catch the Final Four on TBS, TNT, and truTV or stream the games on the NCAA March Madness Live app.

Who is the favorite to win the NCAA Tournament?

UConn is the overwhelming -195 favorite to win the 2024 NCAA Tournament followed by Purdue, at +205. Both North Carolina State and Alabama sit at +1600 odds to hang a banner.

In the national semifinal round, UConn is a -750 favorite to beat Alabama. The Huskies are a 12-point favorite over the Crimson Tide, with the total set at 160.

Purdue is a -440 favorite in the first of the two national semifinal games on Saturday. The Boilermakers are favored by nine points over N.C. State, and the total is set at 146.

How many teams have won back-to-back national titles?

UConn will attempt to become the eighth school to go back to back in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. In the 85-year history of the tournament, seven schools have won consecutive titles. They are:

• Oklahoma State, 1945-46
• Kentucky, 1948-49
• San Francisco, 1955-56
• Cincinnati, 1961-62
• UCLA, 1964-65 and 1967-1973
• Duke, 1991-92
• Florida, 2006-07

How many Final Four appearances has UConn made?

The 2024 NCAA Tournament will mark UConn’s seventh Final Four appearance (1999, 2004, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2023, 2024). The Huskies won it all in 1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, and 2023.

How many Final Four appearances has North Carolina State made?

Though it’s been quite some time, the Wolfpack own the second most Final Four appearances among the four remaining schools in this year’s tournament.

N.C. State last played in the national semifinal in 1983 and reached the Final Four in 1950 and 1974. The Wolfpack own two national titles (1974 and 1983).

How many Final Four appearances has Purdue made?

The Boilermakers will appear in their third Final Four. Purdue played in the 1969 national semifinal and ultimately finished runner-up in the tournament that year. The school also reached the Final Four in 1980 and fell to UCLA, who then lost to Louisville in the championship game.

How many Final Four appearances has Alabama made?

The Alabama Crimson Tide are competing in the national semifinal round for the first time in school history.

When is the national championship game?

The 2024 NCAA national championship game is set for Monday, April 8, at 9:20 p.m. ET, inside State Farm Stadium.

What are the top storylines to watch in the 2024 Final Four?

The Final Four is replete with intriguing storylines. Here are a few of the key narratives surrounding each team: 

UConn — Not only could UConn become the eighth school to win back-to-back titles, but the Huskies could break a tie with Indiana and Duke for the fourth-most NCAA championship victories. With a championship banner in 2024, UConn would move into a tie with North Carolina for third-most national titles (six). UCLA has the most, with 11, and Kentucky is second all time, with eight.

Purdue — 7’4” center Zach Edey was named a finalist for the Naismith Trophy and could earn National Player of the Year honors for a second straight year. The first player in NCAA history with 750 points, 400 rebounds, 70 blocks, and 50 assists, Edey has averaged 30 points and 11 rebounds through four games in the NCAA Tournament and recorded a career-high 40 points in a 72-66 win over Tennessee in the regional final.

Alabama — Long hailed as a football school, with 18 national titles, the Crimson Tide have begun making a name for themselves in basketball as well. In 2024, Alabama will play in the Final Four for the first time in school history. In Nate Oats’ fifth season at the helm, the Crimson Tide finished fifth in the SEC and averaged the most points per game (90.6) in the nation. Led by guard Mark Sears (21.5 points per game, 43.4% 3-point percentage), this team can put up showstopping numbers but defense has been an issue, with the team ranking 357th of 363 schools in points allowed (81.1).

North Carolina State — No team seeded lower than 11th has made a run to the Final Four. The Wolfpack became the fifth No. 11 seed to advance to the national semifinal round, following in the footsteps of LSU (1986), George Mason (2006), VCU (2011), and UCLA (2021). None of the previous four No. 11 seeds won their national semifinal games. N.C. State will look to defy history, and it has already far exceeded expectations in 2024. Head coach Kevin Keatts was on the verge of losing his job after N.C. State finished 10th in the ACC, but N.C. State went on an unthinkable run to claim the ACC Conference Tournament, which earned the Wolfpack a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Now Keatts’ job is more than safe.