Virginia vs. Auburn: What to watch for in the Final Four semi
A glimpse at the first Final Four semifinal before the festivities begin in Minneapolis on Saturday:
Need-to-know info
Time: 6:09 p.m. ET
Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
TV: CBS
KenPom ratings: Virginia No. 1, Auburn No. 11
Last meeting: Auburn 68, Virginia 67 on Dec. 7, 2009 in Auburn, Alabama
All-time series: Tied 2-2
What to watch for
Who dictates the tempo?
Virginia has advanced to the Final Four at its own pace. Wins over Oklahoma and Oregon came in which they had 56 and 55 possessions, respectively. The overtime win over Purdue in the Elite Eight? Just 62.
Auburn has won by playing four consecutive games of 70-plus possessions.
Something has to give on Saturday.
The key for the Tigers will be breaking through and finding opportunities to run before Virginia can set up its defense.
But that's easier said than done. Virginia has allowed just 14 fast-break points in the NCAA Tournament. Tony Bennett's team simply doesn't get beat down the court on defense.
Auburn at the 3-point line
Auburn found ways to beat Kentucky without relying on the 3-pointer last weekend.
But when the Tigers were at their best against Kansas and North Carolina, they made a combined 30 threes in two games.
For the season, Auburn takes 49.5 percent of its field-goal attempts beyond the arc, a ratio that ranks eighth in the country. Bryce Brown and Jared Harper have attempted a combined 578 3-pointers this season.
They'll be challenged against a Virginia defense that holds its opponents to 28.7 percent shooting from the perimeter, the third best 3-point efficiency defense in the country.
The Cavaliers have allowed double digit 3-point makes just three times this season: Feb. 9 against Duke (a loss), Feb. 23 at Louisville (a win), and last Saturday's win against Purdue.
The Tigers' weakness
If there's one place Virginia can exploit Auburn, it's on the offensive glass.
The Tigers are a bottom-25 defensive rebounding team this season, although it hasn't hurt them too much in the NCAA Tournament, where they've allowed 11 second-chance points per game.
However, Virginia's Mamadi Diakite enters Saturday's contest with 12 offensive rebounds in the tournament. Averaging 7.5 points and 4.3 rebounds for the season, Diakite has stepped up in the postseason, averaging 13 points and nine rebounds in the four tourney games.
Players to watch
Virginia: G De'Andre Hunter (14.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
Hunter hasn't had the best of tournaments, averaging 10.5 points in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, but the Cavaliers survived. Virginia's best pro prospect will get another opportunity to shine this weekend.
Auburn: G Bryce Brown (16.0 ppg, 41.0 3FG%)
Brown broke out with 25 points in the second round against Kansas and 24 in the Elite Eight win over Kentucky. During Auburn's 12-game winning streak, he has attempted 111 3-pointers - more than nine per game. The light is permanently green.
(Advanced stats courtesy: Ken Pomeroy)