Each team's X-factor in the Final Four

The Final Four is officially set after two thrilling weeks of action.

The national semifinals will feature this season's two most dominant programs, a defensively tough Houston squad, and a UCLA team that overcame the midseason loss of its best player.

Here's one X-factor from each of the four teams remaining in this year's NCAA Tournament.

Justin Gorham, Houston Cougars

Gorham has been one of the Cougars' unsung heroes throughout the campaign. The 6-foot-7 forward leads the nation's sixth-best rebounding team with 8.7 boards per game, including nearly four on the offensive glass. Gorham's 15.4 offensive rebound percentage ranks 11th in the NCAA.

"Big guys that are athletic with no motors are wasting their skill sets. Justin is not the most talented dude, but there's a lot to be said for his motor," Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson told reporters after his team's Sweet 16 win over Syracuse.

"Nate Hinton last year, Justin this year - we've had a lot of guys that buy into rebounding in this program and none more so than Justin."

Gorham enters Saturday's Final Four matchup vs. Baylor coming off back-to-back 10-rebound performances. The Cougars are averaging 12.8 second-chance points through four NCAA Tournament contests. Seizing control of the boards will allow Houston to control the pace and limit the number of possessions for the Bears' high-scoring offense.

Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua, Baylor Bears

Tchamwa Tchatchoua gives Scott Drew's team a little bit of everything - he's an energizer off the bench, a versatile defender, and a menacing rim-protecting presence. The UNLV transfer has added another aspect to Baylor's potent offense with his ability to finish above the rim in pick-and-roll scenarios.

But perhaps his biggest impact on Saturday will be on the glass. Tchamwa Tchatchoua was one of the Big 12's top rebounders in limited minutes and will need to exert his physicality in the paint against Gorham and the Cougars' elite rebounding guards. While the Bears don't have many weaknesses, they do rank 296th in defensive boards per game.

Anton Watson, Gonzaga

Watson relinquished his starting role to Andrew Nembhard in the later stages of the regular season, but he remains an important part of Gonzaga's rotation. The former four-star recruit is one of the best defenders on the Zags' roster. Watson finished sixth in the WCC in total steals and ninth in swats despite playing less than 20 minutes per contest this campaign.

The 6-foot-8 forward reads passing lanes well and is an excellent help-side defender, often positioning himself to take charges or provide rim protection. Watson can also provide serviceable minutes as a small-ball five when Drew Timme sits.

"In my very first interview this year, I told everyone, 'Anton Watson is one of the best players on this team,' and he's just continued to work hard," the All-American big man told reporters after the Bulldogs' Round of 32 win over Oklahoma.

"He's been big for us all year. He doesn't get half the credit he deserves just from the impact he has on this team offensively and defensively. He's really come into his own, and it's something that we really need."

Kenneth Nwuba, UCLA Bruins

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin threw Michigan a curveball in Tuesday's Elite Eight matchup when he elected to use redshirt sophomore forward Nwuba for extended minutes. The Nigerian big man, who played just 24 minutes through four NCAA Tournament games, nearly eclipsed that total with 20 in the regional final.

Nwuba didn't look out of place on the floor, to his credit. The 21-year-old picked up five boards, a pair of charges during the first half, and did an admirable job defensively against Wolverines star Hunter Dickinson.

Cronin may turn to Nwuba again for some key minutes against Timme. It's hard to envision anybody stopping the Gonzaga star after his dominant performance against the Mobley brothers, but crazy things tend to happen this time of the year.