The Virginia Cavaliers slipped by Auburn Saturday, 63-62, in heartbreaking fashion for the Tigers. After Auburn had taken a 4 point lead, 61-57, on 2 clutch free throws by Anfernee Mclemore with 17 seconds left after coming back from 57-47 deficit with 5;24 remaining, Kyle Guy sank what looked like an impossible 3 pointer with 9 seconds left. Jared Harper was fouled with 7 seconds left and sank 1 0f 2 free throws.

Auburn had fouls to give and fouled Virginia twice. On the second one, the replay showed that Ty Jerome had actually double dribbled, but the referees didn’t see it. On the inbounds with 1.5 seconds left, Guy got a three off just as the buzzer was close to sounding. Samir Doughty was defending and fouled Guy on the shot. It was very close, but was a foul. According to the rule, Doughty impeded Guy from completing the shot as he came down on him as Guy was finishing his shot. It was a tough call to make at the end of the game, but it was a legitimate foul. Down 62-60, Guy, an 81% free throw shooter, calmly and courageously sank all 3 free throws.

It was tough for Auburn fans to take. It was heartbreaking. But the call was accurate even though it looked like Auburn had won the game when Guy’s shot missed its mark.

Texas Tech soundly defeated Michigan State, 61-51, with their suffocating defense.

This should be quite a defensive battle tonight. Here are the details.

No.1 South Seed Virginia (34-3) vs. No.3 West Seed Texas Tech (31-6)

U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, (66,655)

8:20 PM CT

CBS

Jim, Grant, Bill, Trace

Studio: Ernie, Clark, Kenny, Chucksedo

UVA by 1

UVA has the top scoring defense in the country only allowing 55 points per game while the Red Raiders have the best defensive efficiency team in the country. UVA features superb shooters in Guy, Ty Jerome and De’Andre Hunter. I like Guy, Jerome and Hunter to be the difference here in an intensely fought game with defense and 3 point shooting at a premium. Jarrett Culver, Matt Mooney and the underrated explosive Red Raiders’ offense and superior defense will give Virginia everything they want, but I like Guy and company to sink one more bucket and earn UVA their first national championship in program history.

Virginia 62, Texas Tech 60