NFC SOUTH ROSTER RESET BEFORE THE DRAFT

SAINTS HOLD THRONE; RIVALS TRY TO REBOUND

The NFC South belonged to the New Orleans Saints for a second consecutive season in 2018, marking the first time in team history the Saints won the division title in back-to-back years.

The rest of the division experienced turmoil, though, as the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons disappointed with identical 7-9 seasons, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished last for the second year in a row.

As the four teams prepare for the 2019 campaign, the division still goes through New Orleans. However, the Saints need to muster up another round of mental toughness after their second heart-breaking postseason exit in as many years. But there is a silver lining, as the controversy stemming from the Saints' loss in the NFC Championship Game prompted change to the rules governing the NFL's replay system.

In Atlanta, the Falcons need new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter to get the most out of a potentially potent offense, which proved an issue for Steve Sarkisian over the past two seasons. Koetter has familiarity with quarterback Matt Ryan from previously serving as Atlanta's coordinator, so that will help. The Falcons also need to stay healthy, as injuries, especially on defense, contributed to the derailing of their 2018 season.

Head coach Ron Rivera is likely to continue calling defensive plays for Carolina, but the team's season will once again bank on the arm and legs of quarterback Cam Newton. The Panthers will also experience transition on defense with the departure of some veteran leaders, including longtime linebacker Thomas Davis, who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as a free agent.

As for Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers turned the head-coaching reins over to Bruce Arians, who came out of retirement to take the job. Arians' primary mission will be getting quarterback Jameis Winston to fulfill his potential as he enters the final year of his contract. Arians is trying to turn around a franchise that's coming off two straight 5-11 seasons and hasn't been to the postseason since 2007.

FREE AGENCY NOTABLES

BIGGEST ADDITION: Jared Cook, tight end.

Old Team: Oakland Raiders. New Team: New Orleans Saints.

Head coach Sean Payton mentioned at the NFL Scouting Combine that the Saints would look at tight ends before the 2019 NFL Draft, and Payton found what he was looking for. One of the league's top passing offenses received a major boost with the arrival of Cook, who signed a two-year deal with the team last month and projects to provide the Saints their best receiving tight end since Jimmy Graham left via trade in 2015. The Saints entered the offseason with Josh Hill, Garrett Griffin and Dan Arnold on the roster at the position after Benjamin Watson's retirement, so Cook offers a huge pass-catching upgrade. His 68 receptions for 896 yards and six touchdowns with the Oakland Raiders in 2018 out-paced all Saints tight ends combined the past season. The Saints enjoy utilizing a 12-personnel grouping (one running back, two tight ends), but now have the missing piece in the passing game with Cook, whose receiving ability in the middle of the field should help take away defensive pressure on wide receiver Michael Thomas.

BIGGEST LOSS: Tevin Coleman, running back.

Old Team: Atlanta Falcons. New Team: San Francisco 49ers.

Mark Ingram leaving the Saints and signing with the Baltimore Ravens warrants consideration here, but there are three other teams in the division that suffered losses, too (and the Saints' signing of RB Latavius Murray lessened the blow at bit for New Orleans). The Falcons once boasted one of the NFL's top backfields with an effective one-two punch featuring Coleman and Devonta Freeman, but they now must find a way to replace the production they lost with Coleman's departure. In four seasons with the Falcons, Coleman gained 2,340 yards rushing and 1,010 yards receiving with 29 total touchdowns (18 rushing) as an ideal complementary rusher to Freeman. With Coleman's exit, the Falcons first need a healthy Freeman, who played in just two games in 2018, and then they must figure out the pecking order among Ito Smith, Brian Hill and Kenjon Barner, who joined Atlanta in free agency after spending the 2018 season in Carolina, if they don't add a rusher via the draft.

SLEEPER ADDITION: Matt Paradis, center.

Old Team: Denver Broncos. New Team: Carolina Panthers.

Paradis' health is worth monitoring as he returns from a fractured fibula -- he's said he expects to be cleared to return by June -- but the Panthers were comfortable enough with his recovery to sign him to a three-year deal in the first days of free agency. Carolina's front five did a nice job last season paving the way for running back Christian McCaffrey and the league's fourth-ranked rushing attack. But Paradis fills the spot previously anchored by five-time Pro Bowl selectee Ryan Kalil, who retired after 12 seasons. The Panthers need Paradis to be more than just a competent replacement, as he'll be expected to be an immediate starter and leader on the offensive line. If he thrives in those roles, there's no reason why the Panthers can't continue being one of the NFL's top rushing units.

WHAT'S NEXT?

ATLANTA FALCONS: The Falcons did a good job of bolstering depth within the offensive line by signing guards James Carpenter, Jamon Brown and Adam Gettis. Defensively, though, the Falcons need to shore up the edges given the losses of Bruce Irvin (Panthers) and Brooks Reed (Cardinals). Adding a defensive tackle to help Grady Jarrett certainly wouldn't hurt, as would an injection of more talent at the cornerback position given the departures of Robert Alford (Cardinals) and Brian Poole (Jets). They have the draft capital to address those needs, with nine total picks. Outside of the draft, the Falcons are making progress on long-term deals for Jarrett, who received the franchise tag, and wide receiver Julio Jones.

CAROLINA PANTHERS: The Panthers took care of their own by re-signing safety Eric Reid and offensive tackle Daryl Williams, but the team should look to add another cornerback in a division full of high-powered passing games and in light of ranking 18th against the pass in 2018. Bringing in more pieces on the offensive line should be on the menu, too, given the amount of injuries the team endured on the front five last year. While the Panthers, who hold seven picks in the 2019 draft, signed defensive end Bruce Irvin away from the Falcons, adding another pass rusher through the draft would also make sense following the retirement of Julius Peppers. Carolina is set at QB1, but the Panthers should consider bolstering the competition behind Cam Newton at the position given his continued recovery from shoulder surgery.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: The Saints currently hold six total draft picks, but will be watching from the sidelines in the first, third and fourth rounds after dealing away those picks in trades. The lack of early picks signals the Saints might have a hard time snagging an immediate contributor, and that should be fine at team headquarters given that the pieces are mostly already in place for another run at a Super Bowl with a 40-year-old Drew Brees. At defensive tackle, Sheldon Rankins might not be ready for the start of the 2019 campaign while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in the postseason. The Saints have David Onyemata returning and signed Malcom Brown and Mario Edwards at the position, but it wouldn't hurt to add another big body to the rotation. If the Saints feel the same way, bringing back Tyeler Davison, who remains unsigned in a slow free-agent market for defensive tackles, more than makes sense. Davison knows the scheme well after four seasons in New Orleans.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Given head coach Bruce Arians' recent lukewarm take on Gerald McCoy, the defensive tackle position might be a high priority for the new coaching staff. Linebacker is likely on the wish list, too -- perhaps on the edge and inside, although the Bucs did sign edge rusher Shaquil Barrett. Inside linebacker is clearly a need after the departure of Kwon Alexander to the San Francisco 49ers. Tampa Bay recently brought in former LSU ILB Devin White, a projected first-round pick, for a pre-draft visit. Ultimately, there's a lot of retooling needed for a defense that is transitioning from a 4-3 to a 3-4 base under new coordinator Todd Bowles.

NFC WEST ROSTER RESET

RAMS RULE ROOST; CARDS INTRIGUE ABOUNDS

The league-wide obsession with Sean McVay reached satirical heights earlier this year, when the coaching carousel seemingly became the football version of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, with the Los Angeles Rams' head coach playing the gravitational role of the prolific thespian. "Ever shared oxygen with Sean? Wanna coach an NFL team??!" Admittedly, though, it's impossible to deny McVay's current place atop the NFC West marquee.

In the 15 years prior to McVay's arrival, the Ramswon the NFC West once, while finishing in the bottom half of the division nine times. Two years into McVay's tenure, the Rams have two division titles -- and they just went 6-0 against NFC West foes, winning each game by an average of 18 points. So, yeah, McVay has earned all the shine in these parts. Heading toward the 2019 campaign, Los Angeles isn't just the front-runner in the division, but a leading candidate to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, as the organization did this past February. That's not to say the Rams will cakewalk their way to a divisional threepeat, though. The NFC West doesn't lack for savvy coaching and capable quarterback play -- two vital ingredients for competitive Sundays in today's NFL.

Seattle was the one NFC West team that played the Rams tough last year, with the Seahawks losing the two showdowns by a combined seven points. Pete Carroll's club was supposed to be rebuilding, but the 'Hawks caught fire down the back half of the season, winning six of their last seven games and snagging a wild-card slot. A playoff loss at Dallas doesn't change the notion that the transitioning Seahawks were ahead of schedule in 2018 -- and could truly arrive in 2019.

Meanwhile, the 49ers are trying to regain relevancy after a season in injury-induced purgatory. At this time one year ago, San Francisco was hype central. Jimmy Garoppolo had replenished the Faithful with hope, winning all five of his post-trade starts to close out the 2017 campaign, and the Niners were a sexy playoff pick. When free-agent acquisition Jerick McKinnon tore his ACL on Sept. 1, it was a gut punch. When Jimmy G tore his ACL 22 days later, it was a knockout blow. With those two back in the fold and some talented free-agent reinforcements coming aboard (LB Kwon Alexander, who's recovering from a torn ACL of his own, DE Dee Ford and RB Tevin Coleman), are the post-hype 49ers poised to break through this fall?

Arizona holds up the rear in this division, but currently leads the pack in offseason intrigue. Are the Cardinals, with a new head coach (and a new Air Raid offense), about to spend a top-10 pick on a quarterback for the second year in a row? According to the good folks over at NFL Media Research, this has only happened once in the common draft era (going back to 1967): When the Baltimore Colts took Art Schlichter at No. 4 in 1982 and John Elway at No. 1 in '83. Of course, Elway, who didn't want to play for the Colts and threatened to play baseball instead, was traded to the Broncos within a week of his selection. If Arizona takes a certain baseball-playing quarterback at No. 1 in this year's draft, something tells me he won't be traded by Cinco de Mayo.

FREE AGENCY NOTABLES

BIGGEST ADDITION: Kliff Kingsbury, head coach.

Old team: Texas Tech (and USC, sort of). New team: Arizona Cardinals.

In November, Kingsbury was fired by Texas Tech after a third straight losing season dropped his career record to 35-40. In December, Kingsbury was hired to be USC's offensive coordinator. In January, Kingsbury became the Cardinals' head coach. Interesting winter, eh? Kingsbury, who was recently pranked by McVay (does that count for anything, resume-wise??), is known for his prolific offensive production. As a former Texas Tech star quarterback himself, Kingsbury put up video game numbers in Mike Leach's Air Raid attack. Then, as an offensive coordinator (at Houston and Texas A&M) and a head coach (Texas Tech), Kingsbury directed high-octane offenses while fostering a series of future NFL QBs, including Case Keenum, Johnny Manziel, Baker Mayfield (briefly, though not exactly swimmingly) and Patrick Mahomes. Clearly, Kingsbury's reputation as a QB whisperer was the driving force in Arizona's bold hire, but which QB do the Cardinals want Kingsbury whispering to: Josh Rosen (the 10th overall pick last year) or a potential target at No. 1 overall this year? That's the question that has owned the pre-draft rumor mill, and whatever the answer ends up being will play a decisive role in determining whether Arizona's polarizing gamble on Kingsbury pays off.

BIGGEST LOSS: Earl Thomas, safety.

Old team: Seattle Seahawks. New team: Baltimore Ravens.

With Richard Sherman playing for the rival Niners, Kam Chancellor unlikely to ever take the field again due to a neck injury and now Thomas relocating to Baltimore, the Legion of Boom has fully exited the room. Not to take anything away from Sherman and Chancellor, who each earned four Pro Bowl nods in Seattle, but Thomas was the most gifted Legionnaire. With instincts that can't be taught and range that can't be explained, Thomas was the dream single-high safety in Pete Carroll's Cover 3 defense. At 29 years old, with six Pro Bowls and three first-team All-Pros under his belt, the guy's on a Hall of Fametrack. It'll be exciting to watch his second act in Baltimore. But who will (attempt to) fill his shoes back in Seattle? Tedric Thompson got a crack at the job last season, after Thomas broke his leg in late September. Results were ... mixed. While he's penciled in as the starter right now, the 'Hawks could look to an intriguing safety class in this month's draft. Let's throw a dart at one prospect who could fit the bill: Maryland's Darnell Savage, a smart, instinctive center fielder whose 4.36 40 speed is on full display when he's closing on the football. And he just so happens to be on Seattle's list of pre-draft visitors.

SLEEPER ADDITION: Jason Verrett, cornerback.

Old team: Los Angeles Chargers. New team: San Francisco 49ers.

A first-round pick of the Chargers back in 2014, Verrett's body has, quite simply, failed him. Limited to just 25 games due to various injuries over the last five seasons, the cornerback missed the entire 2018 campaign after tearing his Achilles tendon on the first day of training camp. When he actually hits the field, Verrett plays the position at a high level. In 2015 -- the only season in which he's eclipsed four starts -- Verrett made the Pro Bowl and tied for Pro Football Focus' highest coverage grade among cornerbacks. With San Francisco still seeking a starting cornerback opposite Richard Sherman, handing Verrett a one-year, $3.6 million deal is the kind of low-risk, high-reward deal that could pay off in spades.

WHAT'S NEXT?

ARIZONA CARDINALS: The 2019 NFL Draft's No. 1 question: What's going on with the No. 1 pick? No one knows anything in the NFL's silly season, but it sure seems like Kyler Murray is on the verge of replacing Josh Rosen as Arizona's quarterback of the present and future. Yes, Arizona just traded up to nab Rosen 12 months ago. No, the pocket passer wasn't put in a position to succeed, given the sieve of an offensive line fielded by the Cardinals in 2018. Life isn't fair. And Murray, with his rare playmaking talent, appears to be a better fit in Kingsbury's modern offense -- not to mention, he offers the kind of escapability that would come in real handy with an O-line that remains suspect (though the recent acquisitions of OT Marcus Gilbert and OG J.R. Sweezy didn't hurt). If Arizona is indeed zeroing in on the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, the Cards will almost certainly flip Rosen to a team seeking a more traditional dropback quarterback. (Everyone's looking at you, Giants.)

LOS ANGELES RAMS: With just one pick in the top 90 -- No. 31 overall -- the Rams aren't likely to net a whole lot of instant-impact players in the coming draft. Fortunately, there aren't many glaring holes on this roster. The thinking here is that Les Snead will spend that first-round pick on a big body for the trenches. Los Angeles cut loose starting center John Sullivan, while Andrew Whitworth could be heading into his final season at age 37. Meanwhile, Ndamukong Suh's departure leaves a big hole at the nose, while Dante Fowler Jr. and Clay Matthews could be short-term solutions on the edges.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: The good news: With QB Kyler Murray seemingly destined to go No. 1 overall (one way or another), the Jimmy G-led Niners should be able to get the top player on their board at No. 2. The bad news: The top three players on most big boards (Nick Bosa, Quinnen Williams and Josh Allen) all line up on the defensive front, an area where San Francisco has already expended significant first-round capital in recent years. The fake news: That the bad news actually matters enough to alter this year's draft plan. How does a defensive line featuring Bosa, Dee Ford and DeForest Buckner sound to you? Like QB nightmare fuel? Good. Don't overthink it.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: First and foremost, the Seahawks need to figure out a path forward with their franchise quarterback. Heading into the final year of his current contract, Russell Wilson now wants a new deal by April 15, when Seattle begins its offseason program, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. While the price tag figures to be steep (potentially highest-paid-player-in-NFL-history steep), deadlines spur action. And it's hard to imagine the 'Hawks playing hardball in negotiations with the 30-year-old signal-caller. On the draft front, Seattle holds a league-low four picks, with only two in the top 120. So GM John Schneider will have to allocate his limited resources wisely. On the plus side: For the first time in recent memory, O-line isn't a crying need.

TEAMS SET TO ACE THE 2019 NFL DRAFT

This year’s draft sees about one-third of NFL teams in position to ace their picks. Can the Oakland Raiders expedite their rebuild with three first-round picks? How will the Giants use the selections they acquired in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade?

These are among the 10 teams set to ace the 2019 NFL Draft later in April.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

Selecting four times in the first 35 picks, including three times in the initial round, Jon Gruden and the Raiders absolutely must hit a home run during the draft. New general manager Mike Mayock knows this. The fan base knows this. It’s time for Oakland to expedite its rebuild before heading to Vegas in 2020.

The good news here is that these Raiders have a ton of holes to fill on both sides of the ball. Outside of going quarterback No. 4 overall, the team can take the best player available. That tends to lead to success on draft day.

NEW YORK GIANTS

We can question the Odell Beckham Jr. trade all we want, but now heading into the draft, general manager David Gettleman has an opportunity to make his mark on this rebuilding roster.

New York boasts two selections within the top 17 and a total of three selections in the top 40. Outside of running back and tight end, the Giants have needs all over the field. Could they go quarterback at No. 6? Maybe. If so, the Giants would finally have that heir apparent to Eli Manning. If not, best player available has to be the mantra here.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Taking full advantage of the NFL’s compensatory pick formula, the defending Super Bowl champions have six picks within the first three rounds. With draft-day magician Bill Belichick calling the shots, New England has an opportunity to move up the draft for a player of its choosing.

The Pats have needs at tight end and wide receiver on offense. Both are extremely deep in terms of the draft. Defensively, New England could use a long-term replacement out on the edge for Trey Flowers. That’s another incredibly deep position.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

By simply moving down in the first round of last year’s draft, general manager Brian Gutekunst picked up the 30th selection in this year’s draft. This gives Green Bay a real opportunity to be aggressive should the team decide to move up from its original 12th slot in Round 1.

Gutekunst’s ability to be proactive in free agency has certainly helped matters here. By virtue of adding pass rushers Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith as well as safety Adrian Amos, Green Bay can almost target a specific player in a trade up or go best player available with its two first-round selections.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Indianapolis is in a fine position after earning a surprise playoff appearance last season. General manager Chris Ballard traded down in the top 10 last year, picking up stud guard Quenton Nelson in the process. This netted the Colts an additional top-35 selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.

While the Colts themselves were not terribly active in free agency, they did add edge rusher Justin Houston at a need position. Like most of the teams here, this gives them an ability to go best player available. With needs at wide receiver and cornerback, Indy has set itself up nice to ace the draft.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

By merely retaining core free agents such as Brandon Graham and Ronald Darby, the Eagles were able to address needs before free agency really got going. Getting DeSean Jackson and Malik Jackson were also huge coups. Heck, Howie Roseman might have pulled off the best move of the offseason by trading for running back Jordan Howard. That was certainly a huge need.

The better news here? Philadelphia has an additional second-round pick by virtue of a trade with the Baltimore Ravens last year. That means Roseman and Co. boast three of the top-57 selections. With few holes to fill, this team can address major needs while gaining good value.

HOUSTON TEXANS

Houston is in an interesting situation in that it does have some major needs if the team wants to be taken seriously as a title contender next season. Who is the No. 2 receiver behind DeAndre Hopkins? Free-agent signing Matt Kalil can’t possibly be the answer at left tackle, right? These are two areas the Texans will have to address.

The good news here is that Houston boasts an additional second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. That gives the team the ability to move up from the 23rd overall selection in the first round. Could someone like D.K. Metcalf or A.J. Brown be the answer behind Nuke?

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Normally a team coming off a four-win campaign with only six total selections wouldn’t find itself on this list. That’s until we realize the 49ers are sitting pretty at No. 2 overall. They addressed some needs with edge rusher Dee Ford and linebacker Kwon Alexander in free agency.

Equally as important, GM John Lynch and Co. have no need for a quarterback with the second pick. This affords San Francisco a real ability to gain a ton of draft-pick assets in a potential trade-down scenario with a quarterback-needy team. If not, the draft’s top overall player, Ohio State’s Nick Bosa, could fall on to their lap.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

We really like what new Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta was able to do in his first free agency period in that role. DeCosta targeted need positions at running back and safety. He found upgrades in the form of Mark Ingram and Earl Thomas, respectively.

This should help DeCosta ace his first draft in his new role. That’s only magnified by the fact that Baltimore has additional selections in the third and fourth rounds. Considering the team gave up its second-round pick in a trade for Lamar Jackson last year, that’s no small thing.

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Even if Arizona were to go out there and select Kyler Murray No. 1 overall, the team would still be set up nicely throughout the remainder of the draft. It’s not an ideal scenario. Arizona picked Josh Rosen in the top 10 last year. Going quarterback early in consecutive drafts is a bad look for general manager Steve Keim.

Of course, the Cardinals could acquire draft pick assets for Rosen should they draft Murray. Add in the top selection in each round, and Keim has an opportunity to overcome recent personnel struggles.

TEXAS TECH PLAYS ON MONDAY

TEXAS TECH 61, MICHIGAN ST 51

WHEN: 8:49 PM ET, Saturday, April 6, 2019

WHERE: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

OFFICIALS: # Bo Boroski, # Jeffrey Anderson, # Doug Shows

ATTENDANCE: 72711

MINNEAPOLIS -- One of the first summertime meetings coach Chris Beard held with Texas Tech's basketball team in July included a challenge to the team: Make a reservation to play in the NCAA Tournament final.

The win gets Texas Tech that reservation for Monday night in the national championship game against Virginia.

Michigan State trailed for 30 minutes, 7 seconds in the 40-minute game and shot 31.9 percent from the field (15 of 47). Big Ten Player of the Year Cassius Winston had a team-best 16 points but shot 4 of 16 and committed four turnovers.

Mooney, in his first year at Texas Tech as a graduate transfer and his third college overall, filled the hero role. Teammate Jarrett Culver, the Big 12 Player of the Year, was quiet until a raindrop right-handed runner gave Texas Tech its first field goal in five minutes and a 54-51 edge with 2:28 left.

Culver finished with 10 points.

A bid by Michigan State senior Matt McQuaid to tie the game with a long 3-point attempt with 1:52 to go rattled in and out, and Culver made the first of two free throws 20 seconds later.

On Michigan State's next possession, Texas Tech got the ball back with its fourth steal of the game, this one by senior Norense Odiase. Culver then hit an uncontested trey from the top of the key, putting the Red Raiders up 58-51.

Odiase made two free throws to seal it with 39.7 seconds left after the Spartans' Kenny Goins clanked a 3-point try.

The Spartans stayed in the game at the free-throw line, making 14 of their 18 attempts.

Sophomore Xavier Tillman rattled in two free throws after Winston connected on four consecutive shots from the stripe, and Michigan State whittled a 12-point deficit to five (52-47) with 5:38 remaining.

The Spartans cut it to three with just over three minutes to play on freshman Aaron Henry's two makes, then made it 52-51 when Henry's slashing layup went in with 2:44 left.

Texas Tech roared out of the halftime locker room with buckets on four of five possessions and took an eight-point lead -- 39-31 -- on a three-point play by Kyler Edwards. The freshman drove hard from the left baseline and moved the ball from his right to left hand, putting it off the glass as he was fouled.

On the next possession, Mooney connected on a 3-ball from the wing, and after a Michigan State turnover, he drilled another to stake Texas Tech to a 45-33 advantage, prompting a red-faced Izzo to call timeout.

Most of the damage was done while Culver watched from the bench with three fouls.

Suffocating defense won the first half on either end, and neither team could find its legs. Only 15 of 49 field-goal attempts went through, and Texas Tech led 23-21 at the break.

Texas Tech's reservation awaits.

TOP GAME PERFORMANCES

TEXAS TECH		MICHIGAN ST
Matt Mooney 22	Scoring	Cassius Winston 16
Jarrett Culver 2	Assists	Kenny Goins 2
Norense Odiase 9	Rebounds	Kenny Goins 8
Jarrett Culver 3	Free Throws Made	Cassius Winston 6
Norense Odiase 2	Steals	Cassius Winston 1
Tariq Owens 3	Blocks	Kenny Goins 1

TEAM STATS SUMMARY

TEAM	POINTS	FG%	3PM-3PA	FTM-FTA	ASSISTS	REBOUNDS	BLOCKS	STEALS	TURNOVERS
Texas Tech	61	43.1	9-23	8-13	8	30	4	4	7
Michigan St	51	31.9	7-24	14-18	6	32	2	1	11

VIRGINIA PLAYS ON MONDAY

VIRGINIA 63, AUBURN 62

WHEN: 6:09 PM ET, Saturday, April 6, 2019

WHERE: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

OFFICIALS: # James Breeding, # Keith Kimble, # Doug Sirmons

ATTENDANCE: N/A

MINNEAPOLIS -- Shots in the driveway and the sign hanging in the Virginia practice gym were Kyle Guy's first thoughts when he realized a last-second whistle would send him to the free-throw line with a chance to lift Virginia into the national championship game.

Virginia will meet the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the championship final on Monday night after Texas Tech defeated Michigan State 61-51 in the second semifinal on Saturday night.

Time appeared to run off the clock as Guy launched a 3-pointer from the corner, but a foul was called on Samir Doughty, whose body made contact with Guy's legs.

Before Guy sealed the win, he made a 3 from the opposite corner, curling around a baseline screen.

Auburn junior Jared Harper made only one of two free throws with 5.4 seconds left to give the Tigers a 62-60 lead.

On the final possession, Guy missed a 3 from the corner and Auburn launched into a celebration as time appeared to expire.

Guy buried his face in his jersey -- although he claimed to hear the whistle and said he pulled up his jersey to focus for impending free throws -- but the music stopped as officials converged at the scorer's table and emerged with the verdict of three free throws.

Harper said he didn't see a foul but said the call "is not the reason we lost the game."

Auburn's furious rally in the final five minutes helped stage the dramatic finish, set up when Brown made three 3-pointers, including the go-ahead triple with 1:56 on the clock to give the Tigers a 59-57 lead.

McLemore made a pair of free throws to put the Tigers up four with 17 seconds left.

Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome, who had a game-high 21 points, was fouled near halfcourt with 1.5 seconds left, when Virginia coach Tony Bennett called timeout to set up Guy's last-second 3 in the corner. Jerome appeared to double dribble before the whistle was blown, but Pearl said he told his players to move on to the next play.

Doughty led Auburn with 13 points and Brown had 12.

De'Andre Hunter swished a short jumper that stretched Virginia's lead to seven, and Jerome's uncontested longball from the right wing rolled in for a 57-47 Virginia lead with 5:24 to play, which brought a timeout and the first sign of panic on the face of the Tigers.

Even with Auburn's perimeter shots coming up bricks, Virginia fell apart down the stretch, largely without Jerome. Brown sparked a 14-0 run with three 3-pointers from the corner -- almost all in the same spot. As Jerome went to the bench with his fourth foul, Brown threatened to steal the show by finding his range.

Brown trimmed the lead to 57-51, sticking his second 3-pointer of the game with four minutes left after Jerome picked up his fourth foul -- one minute after being whistled for No. 3 -- defending 70 feet from the basket.

Brown hit another corner 3-pointer on a feed from Harper, and Danjel Purifoy hit a 10-footer to bring the Tigers within 57-56 with 2:48 to play

Virginia is the only No. 1 seed at the 2019 Final Four. Last year at this time, Guy pointed out the Cavaliers were a few weeks into spring conditioning. That's because Virginia was the first No. 1 seed to ever lose to a No. 16 seed, bounced in Orlando by UMBC.

Auburn led 31-28 at halftime -- its largest lead in the first 20 minutes -- despite shooting 3 of 14 from 3-point range.

Last weekend, Guy had 25 points and did his best to match Carsen Edwards' shotmaking against Purdue to put the Cavaliers in the Final Four. In many ways, he built himself for the moment Saturday.

What about that sign in the Virginia practice gym?

Top Game Performances

Auburn		Virginia
Samir Doughty 13	Scoring	Ty Jerome 21
Bryce Brown 3	Assists	Ty Jerome 6
Anfernee McLemore 12	Rebounds	Ty Jerome 9
Samir Doughty 3	Free Throws Made	Kyle Guy 3
Anfernee McLemore 1	Steals	Kihei Clark 1
Austin Wiley 2	Blocks	Mamadi Diakite 5

Team Stats Summary

TEAM	POINTS	FG%	3PM-3PA	FTM-FTA	ASSISTS	REBOUNDS	BLOCKS	STEALS	TURNOVERS
AUBURN	62	38.2	9-31	11-14	9	30	3	3	5
VIRGINIA	63	49.0	7-19	6-12	15	29	9	1	8

SIX BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS FROM SATURDAY’S FINAL FOUR GAMES

College basketball has been a roller coaster ride ever since Duke started the season by routing Kentucky in October. It feels like the five months since have contained ten different seasons, with teams pin-balling up and down throughout the year. After all of that, Saturday treated us to two excellent Final Four games, leaving just one college basketball game on the calendar this season.

Monday will provide two programs a chance at the national championship, but first, let’s examine what happened in Minneapolis in the semifinal games.

1. TWO CALLS IN THE FINAL SECONDS SWING THE GAME

Virginia took control of the game in the second half against Auburn, building a lead of 10 points in the final minutes. Auburn knifed into that lead with a 14-0 run, holding Virginia scoreless for more than five minutes of game play.

Auburn held a two-point lead with less than ten seconds to play. As Virginia attempted to advance the ball, the Tigers used their two remaining available fouls-to-give to slow the Hoos. Before Auburn could commit its sixth team foul, Virginal guard Ty Jerome dribbled the ball off his own foot before retrieving it and recommencing his dribble. Because no Auburn player touched the ball, a double-dribble should have been called, essentially ending the game with an Auburn win.

Instead, the refs allowed Jerome’s mistake, Auburn took a foul, and Virginia had a chance to inbound to tie or win the game.

The Hoos inbounded to Kyle Guy, who rose for a 3-pointer to win the game. Guy missed the shot, yet was fouled by Samir Doughty. For a referee, calling a foul on the game’s final possession and essentially deciding the outcome requires courage and certainty. At full speed in the moment, the call seemed debatable. In slow motion on replay, Doughty absolutely fouled Guy by leaving his feet and contacting Guy’s legs.

Both plays ended up favoring Virginia, sealing the win late for the Cavaliers.

2. TY JEROME WAS THE BEST PLAYER ON THE FLOOR

For 35 of the game’s 40 minutes, Virginia outplayed Auburn, thanks in large part to Ty Jerome. The junior guard controlled the tempo for Virginia, initiated everything the Cavaliers did offensively, and scored within the flow of the game.

Jerome finished the game with 21 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. He made four of Virginia’s seven 3-point baskets in the game, almost seemingly whenever the Hoos needed a bucket.

When Jerome left the game with four fouls late, Virginia looked to be cruising to a victory. Without Jerome on the floor, the Cavaliers’ offense broke down. Auburn used Virginia’s offensive incompetence to spark the run that would help the Tigers take the lead.

3. VIRGINIA DOMINATED THE PAINT

Auburn came to the Final Four without its best frontcourt player after Chuma Okeke tore his ACL last weekend. It showed on Saturday night, with Virginia’s big men controlling the game at the rim.

Even though Virginia plays most of the game with three guards on the floor, the Hoos’ frontcourt stymied Auburn all game in the paint. The Cavaliers finished the game with nine blocks. Mamadi Diakite led the way with five rejections.

So much of what Auburn was looking to accomplish offensively was turned away at the rim, turning the Tigers into a jump-shooting team.

4. TEXAS TECH’S DEFENSE PREVAILS

Chris Beard has built a defensive juggernaut in Lubbock. The Red Raiders rank first in the nation in defensive efficiency, holding teams to just 84 points per 100 possessions this season. Every time Texas Tech takes the floor, the Red Raiders make life very difficult for their opponents for 40 consecutive minutes.

Saturday night was no exception. Michigan State was slowed to a stop by the Texas Tech defense. Only five Spartans scored in the game, with Michigan State shooting under 32% as a team. For just the seventh time this season, Michigan State committed more turnovers than it had assists. In fact, Texas Tech held Michigan State to its fewest assists of the season, as the Spartans posted a season low of six assists.

Cassius Winston and the Spartans constantly failed to find an answer, never getting into a rhythm offensively.

5. MATT MOONEY MADE UP FOR JARRETT CULVER’S SLOW NIGHT

Texas Tech’s offensive attack leans heavily on Big XII Player of the Year and future lottery pick Jarrett Culver. Against Michigan State on Saturday night, Culver struggled. The Spartans clearly game planned to bottle up Culver, holding him to only 3-of-12 shooting from the floor.

The Red Raiders were in need of a scoring pop with Culver contained, and Matt Mooney provided enough to put Texas Tech ahead. Mooney, at his third school in his collegiate career, scored 22 points on Saturday. He hit 4-of-8 from outside the arc, sparking the Tech offense.

Texas Tech’s biggest problems this season have come when no Red Raider other than Culver steps up and provides scoring. If Mooney can continue to shoot the way he did Saturday, Virginia’s defense will face a tougher test than expected.

6. MONDAY’S TITLE GAME SHOULD BE A BRUISING BATTLE

Texas Tech and Virginia will now meet to determine the national champion on Monday night in Minneapolis. Both teams have earned their way to the national final, beating some of the nation’s best teams as they advanced through the tournament. Prior to the NCAA Tournament, both won or shared the regular season crown in their respective conferences, two of the nation’s best leagues.

These two teams have succeeded this season in similar ways. Both are defined by their defense, each ranking in the top 3 in the nation in points allowed. Virginia and Texas Tech both allow less than 60 points a game, due to suffocating defense and a preference for a slow tempo.

We should be expecting a slugfest on Monday, a rock fight for the ages. Vegas can’t set the over-under total low enough for these two defensive bullies.