Lehighton head boys’ basketball coach Trevor Miller likes Duke. Jim Thorpe head boys’ coach Brian O’Donnell favors Florida. Northern Lehigh head girls’ coach Chris Heery is hopeful for Houston.

Who do you like to be the next NCAA men’s basketball champion?

A sampling of local boys’ and girls’ basketball coaches shared their picks and reflected on their favorite Final Four and championship game memories, as college basketball enters its final weekend beginning this afternoon.

Florida faces Auburn, and Duke takes on Houston in the Final Four matchups at San Antonio’s Alamodome today, with the championship game set for Monday night.

In case you missed it, this marks the first time since 2008 that all four No. 1 seeds have advanced to the Final Four. Back then, it was Kansas, Memphis, UCLA and North Carolina — also in San Antonio.

There weren’t any true Cinderella teams making a deep run this year, though McNeese State, Colorado State and Drake delivered some surprising first-round wins.

So, what do the coaches think?

Trevor Miller,

Lehighton Boys

“I have Florida vs. Duke in the final. I believe it will be a more defensive game than people expect, but I think Duke will win. They’ve been the best team all year and have the best player in the country in Cooper Flagg.

“As a UNC fan, I’m not sure it’s a fond memory, but I’ll never forget the 2016 national championship game between UNC and Villanova — when Kris Jenkins hit the three at the buzzer to win the title.”

Brian O’Donnell,

Jim Thorpe Boys

“I believe the final will be Houston and Florida, with Florida winning it all. I think Houston squeaks by Duke in a tight defensive battle. Houston has been lockdown all season on defense, and in the tournament, that’s what can win you a championship. Florida is one of the hottest teams in the nation, and I think they get past Auburn in a high-scoring game, then outlast Houston in the final two minutes of the national title game.

“My favorite Final Four would have to be the last time all four No. 1 seeds made it. I’m a big Memphis fan, and my brother is a big Kansas fan. He got bragging rights that year, but I loved watching that Memphis team with Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts. Also, they’re my prime example to players of why free throws can win — or, in this case, lose — you a game.”

Chris Heery,

Northern Lehigh Girls

“Defense wins championships, and I think Houston has the best defense. Great teams can shut down their opponents when the game is on the line. This has been one of the best NCAA tournaments in a while. I’m excited to see who can outlast the rest.”

Scott Murphy,

Marian Catholic Boys

“Duke vs. Florida in the final, and Duke is the champ. Duke’s depth and ability to switch all screens at every position will cause problems, just as they have all March.

“As a Duke fan, my favorite memory is Bobby Hurley’s alley-oop pass to Grant Hill in the 1991 title game vs. Kansas. The two helped lead Duke to its first national title, and it was extra special because my longtime childhood friend, Jimmy Barron, is a Kansas fan.

“Go Blue Devils!”

Jim Barron,

Tamaqua Boys

“I think Duke beats Florida in the final. Cooper Flagg is the best player on the court, and Kon Knueppel is the most fundamentally sound player in the nation.

“My favorite championship game memory is Mario Chalmers hitting the three to send the game to overtime against Memphis in 2008.”

Jeremy Coleman,

Palmerton Girls

“I had Florida and Houston in the final, with Florida winning. As far as memories, there was Villanova’s 2016 buzzer-beater in the final, and the 2020 season ending because of COVID. I can’t imagine playing and having a season end that way.

“In the women’s tournament, I had South Carolina and UConn, with South Carolina winning it all.”

Pat Wanamaker,

Northwestern Boys

“I think Duke is the best team remaining. They’re loaded at every position and their young core is playing like seasoned veterans. I’m really excited to see the offense vs. defense battle between them and Houston. I also really like the way Florida plays as one unit.

“Overall, I like Duke and Florida in the final, with Duke winning a close game.

“My favorite championship memory — and one of the best finals of all time — was 2016: UNC vs. Villanova. Marcus Paige hit the best shot in UNC history that no one remembers, because Kris Jenkins followed it with the game-winner.”

Nadia Gauronsky,

Lehighton Girls

“I’m going with Florida and Duke for the men, and UConn and South Carolina for the women. Duke and UConn are my champions.

“I like how men are invested in Caitlin Clark and respecting the game on the women’s side.”

Luke Medico,

Weatherly Boys

“It will be Duke and Florida in the championship game, with Duke winning 78–70.

“My mind immediately goes back to the early to mid-1990s — watching Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Chris Webber, Jerry Stackhouse, Rasheed Wallace, etc. It was a magical time in college basketball when every game meant something.”

Bob Hahn,

Pleasant Valley Boys

“I think the final will be Duke vs. Auburn. That’s the matchup I’ve had in my bracket since the beginning. I believe Duke will win. Their defense is stifling. They have length, pressure the ball well, and have a fantastic rim protector. Defense wins in this tournament.

“My favorite memory is when Butler and Gordon Hayward made it to the finals against Duke. I always root for the underdog, and Butler was so fun to watch. When Hayward put up that final shot, I really thought it was going in.”

Bob Fahler,

Northern Lehigh Boys

“I’m going with Houston. They do all the important things well. They rebound on both ends and are tenacious on defense. Plus, they have a great coach in Kelvin Sampson, who wins wherever he goes.

“I vividly remember the 1988 title game between Kansas and Oklahoma. The coaches were Larry Brown (my favorite) and Billy Tubbs. The halftime score was 50–50, and the game was played at an unbelievable pace. One of the most entertaining games of its time!”

Pat Crampsie,

Panther Valley Boys

“I think Auburn is a team to beat this weekend. I think they are the toughest team left in the tournament.

“My favorite memory was definitely when Carmelo Anthony and Jerry McNamara won the national championship (with Syracuse). It was so cool to see a local kid from Northeastern PA on that stage.”

My Thoughts

First of all, none of the coaches picked Auburn — despite the Tigers holding the top spot in the polls for most of the season.

Tough call here. I really like what I’ve seen from both Florida and Duke. Cooper Flagg is the real deal. The Blue Devils are a complete package. But ... somehow I’m leaning toward Florida as the team destined to win it all. Their double-digit comeback against Texas Tech was a sign.

As for memories, I go back to the 1970 Final Four. It was the first one I remember watching, and it’s always stayed with me. It was a classic collection of teams:

There was 7-foot-4 Artis Gilmore — taller than Wilt Chamberlain! — from little-known Jacksonville, who mesmerized with his size and skill. Rex Morgan was a scrappy guard, and Pembrook Burrows was another 7-footer on a team that averaged nearly 100 points per game.

Bob Lanier, soon to become an NBA star, was a dominant center on equally unknown St. Bonaventure, and Jimmy Collins was a standout guard on New Mexico State. (Collins later became a successful coach at the University of Illinois at Chicago.)

Of course, UCLA was the favorite, and the Bruins defeated Jacksonville in the final. Sidney Wicks gave up six inches to Gilmore, but managed to contain him and earn tournament MVP honors. Alongside Wicks and Curtis Rowe, I always remember John Vallely.

And one last note on 1970 — it was the year LSU’s Pete Maravich averaged 44.5 points per game, a record that still stands today.

Thanks again to the coaches for their input and continued cooperation.

Enjoy the games!