Miami Hurricanes and FAU Owls are in the Final Four. What to know and how to watch

The NCAA men’s basketball tournament has reach the Final Four, and two South Florida teams are still in contention for the national title. The Miami Hurricanes will play the UConn Huskies, while the Florida Atlantic University Owls will play the San Diego State Aztecs, setting up the potential for an All-South Florida title game.

Here’s what you need to know heading into the Final Four.

When are the games and how can I watch?

Both games will be played on Saturday at Houston NRG Stadium and will be televised on CBS and Paramount+.

FAU will play San Diego state at 6:09 p.m. Miami and UConn play shortly after the first game is finished, with a tentative tipoff time set for 8:49 p.m.

The national championship, featuring the winners from both matchups, is scheduled for Monday.

How did Miami and FAU reach the Final Four?

The Hurricanes (29-7), led by coach Jim Larranaga, are playing in the Final Four for the first time in school history one year after making it to the Elite Eight for the first time in school history. UM made the NCAA Tournament as the No. 5 seed in the Midwest Region after winning a share of the ACC regular-season title and reaching the semifinal of the ACC Tournament where it lost to Duke.

Once the NCAA Tournament began, Miami rallied to beat No. 12 seed Drake 63-56 and then pulled off three consecutive upsets against No. 4 seed Indiana (85-69), No. 1 seed Houston (89-75) and No. 2 seed Texas (88-81).

FAU, led by coach Dusty May, is having the best season in school history. The Owls are 35-3, won the Conference USA regular-season and tournament titles and are in the Final Four in just their second-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament. FAU was a No. 9 seed in the East Region and posted wins against No. 8 Memphis (66-65), No. 16 Fairfield Dickenson (78-70), No. 4 Tennessee (62-55) and No. 3 Kansas State (79-76) to get to the Final Four.

Miami and FAU are the only teams in the Final Four to each win three of their four games against higher-seeded teams in the tournament.

San Diego State, a five seed in the South Region, beat No. 12 seed Charleston, No. 13 seed Furman, No. 1 seed Alabama and No. 6 seed Creighton. UConn, a four seed from the West Region, beat No. 13 seed Iona, No. 5 seed Saint Mary’s, No. 8 seed Arkansas and No. 3 seed Gonzaga.

Who are the players to watch on Miami and FAU?

The Hurricanes have a balanced attack, with four players averaging double-digit points per game, but are led by ACC Player of the Year Isaiah Wong, who is averaging 16.2 points per game and leads the team in assists (116), steals (49) and free throws made (148).

Beyond Wong, Norchad Omier is averaging a double-double (13.3 points, 10.1 rebounds per game), while Jordan Miller (15.4 points, 6.1 rebounds) and Nijel Pack (13.8 points, team-leading 84 3-pointers made) also play a large role.

FAU has three players with double-digit scoring averages this season in sophomore Johnell Davis (13.9 points per game), Alijah Martin (13.1 points per game) and Vladislav Goldin (10.3 points per game).