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2023 Final Four has no McDonald's All-Americans for first time since 1979

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 3/27/23

The Final Four is normally a star-studded event. Sure, there's usually a "Cinderella" or two on a once-in-a-lifetime run, but the bluebloods as well well as blue-chip players can usually be found in March Madness' final round.

Except this year. There's no Duke, North Carolina, Michigan State, Arizona, Syracuse, etc. or any of the big-name players and former superstar recruits that normally come along with those programs.

Perhaps not surprisingly, then, there will be no McDonald's All-Americans on the court next weekend.

A sign of the times: This is the first Final Four without a single former McDonald's All-American since the NCAA tournament began seeding teams in 1979. (Via @ESPNStatsInfo)
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 26, 2023

This year, the Final Four consists of No. 5 San Diego State versus No. 9 Florida Atlantic and No. 5 Miami versus No. 4 UConn -- with the Huskies being the only "usual" amongst the group. In fact, it's the first Final Four appearance for every program but UConn.

There were several former McDonald's All-Americans who got close to the Final Four, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

Brandon Miller and Jaden Bradley's Alabama team was knocked out by San Diego State in the Sweet 16 in a massive upset. Jordan Walsh of Arkansas was knocked out in the Sweet 16 and Dillon Mitchell's Texas Longhorns just lost to Miami in the Elite 8.

Borzello called it a sign of the times and perhaps it is. With the transfer portal being immediate and non-blueblood programs being able to offer NIL money, perhaps we're seeing an evening of the playing field in college basketball.

Certainly this season more than ever, elite status no longer guarantees elite performance in March Madness.

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