Basketball Action this week on ESPN

Published

2 years ago

March 31, 2022

The 2022 edition of March Madness has produced the unexpected, making it one of the most gripping tournaments in recent history and setting the stage for spectacular Final Four and Championship showdowns.

ESPN will bring all the live and exclusive action from the Final Four on Saturday April 2 and Sunday April 3.

First, the Women’s Final Four begins on Saturday April 2 at 10am AEDT on ESPN2, when Louisville meet South Carolina.

#1 South Carolina will be favoured to progress, on the back of Aliyah Boston, arguably the best player in the nation. She recorded her 27^th straight double double on route to the Final Four.

Louisville lost two of its final five games heading into March Madness, prompting many to write them off. They play without the expectation of the other highly fancied colleges, and given the high stakes, it could just be an edge.

The second Women’s Final Four clash immediately follows at 12.30pm AEDT with UCONN facing off with Stanford, also on ESPN2.

Stanford are the defending national champions and will be expected to book their ticket to another March Madness final.

UCONN needed a thrilling double-overtime win over NC State to reach the Final Four, their 14^th straight appearance at this tournament stage.

Sunday April 3 sees the Men’s Final Four hit the court, with both matches back to back, live on ESPN from 8am AEST.

The Men’s tournament is filled with four NCAA heavyweights, Villanova, Kansas, North Carolina and Duke, who together have claimed nine National Championships since 2000.

First up in the Final Four, Villanova take on Kansas at 8am AEST.

Villanova entered the tournament as one of the hot favourites to take the crown, but will have to do it amid significant setbacks.

Injury has cruelled the Wildcats at the worst possible time, star Justin Moore suffered a torn achillies in the Elite 8 win over Houston, ending his tournament.

#1 ranked Kansas await them in the Final Four, and the Jayhawks showed their class, powering past Miami 76-50 in their last game.

Kansas are on a nine game winning run and have been led throughout the tournament by star pair Remy Martin and Ochai Agbaji, who will prove hard to stop.

Their last National Championship came in 2008, which is the longest wait for any of the Final Four.

Following on at 10.30am AEST, it’s one of the most anticipated matchups in years as NCAA heavyweights North Carolina and Duke collide for a place in the Men’s National Championship game.

It will be the first time that the two colleges have met in NCAA tournament history.

But the storylines surround legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K) who will retire following the tournament.

Duke are chasing a fairytale triumph to send Coach K out with a Hollywood ending, and the Blue Devils have gone to another level, going on a 13-2 run in their past 15 games.

Duke are chasing its sixth National Championship, having last claimed the trophy in 2015.

North Carolina have already spoiled one farewell, upsetting Coach K and Duke in his final regular-season home game, some weeks ago.

The Tar Heels have clicked into gear in the second half of the college basketball ball season, and with recent wins over Duke, Baylor and UCLA, they have the belief that they can get it done against the big schools.

ESPN will have live and exclusive coverage of the Women’s National Championship game is on Monday April 4 at 10am AEST and the Men’s National Championship game on Tuesday April 5 at 11am AEST.

All live games and individual reairs for the Men’s, Women’s and NIT tournaments will be available to watch through the ESPN App also.*

March Madness on ESPN

Saturday April 2

10am AEDT, Louisville vs South Carolina, ESPN2

12.30pm AEDT, UCON vs Stanford, ESPN2

Sunday April 3

8am AEST, Villanova vs Kansas, ESPN

10.30am AEST, North Carolina vs Duke, ESPN

Monday April 4

10am AEST, Women’s National Championship, ESPN2

Tuesday April 5

11am AEST, Men’s National Championship, ESPN