Final 4 festivities kick off in Houston

HOUSTON (AP) – The last teams in the NCAA Tournament have arrived and it’s time to get ready for the Final Four.

Villanova, Oklahoma, North Carolina and Syracuse began preparations in Houston Thursday for two semifinal games on Saturday that will determine the teams that will play for the title.

Coaches and players are speaking to reporters at NRG Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Houston Texans. Like many recent Final Fours, players are having to contend with shooting in a football stadium, where the small floor and wide circumference of the grandstands can play tricks on depth perception.

Oklahoma plays Villanova in the first semifinal Saturday night. They’ll be followed by North Carolina against Syracuse.

The winners play Monday night for the title.