Wow. If you didn’t know why they call it “March Madness”, what has happened over the last two weeks is all you need to see. I will try to recap all the madness that has happened, give a good preview of the Final Four, and of course, my amazing opinions that are obviously never wrong. If you want proof, I correctly predicted the down year of college basketball leading to a much crazier and more fun March Madness. Read that and nothing else!
Review
Underdogs
Below are just a couple of the reasons why it has been the year of the underdogs:
- UMBC becomes the first 16-seed to beat a 1-seed in NCAA Tournament history–and it was in convincing fashion too.
- For the first time since 2008 two 13-seeds won a game (Buffalo and Marshall)
- 13-seed Marshall won its first tournament game in school history
- Both 7-seeded Nevada and Texas A&M upsetting 2-seeded Cincinnati and North Carolina to make the Sweet 16
- 11-seed Syracuse also had a good run making the Sweet 16 after having to play a First Four game
- Florida State as a 9-seed was able to make the Elite Eight beating 1-seed Xaiver and 4-seed Gonzaga along the way
- The entire South Region
Of course the main topic of upsets is Loyola-Chicago, who made their first Final Four since 1963, back when Sister Jean was a sweet, young thing.
Here's what Sister Jean looked like the last time Loyola-Chicago went to the Final Four: pic.twitter.com/74huzc2FEs
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) March 25, 2018
Powerhouses
While there has been a ton of upsets, there have also been some powerhouses able to find their way into the Final Four. Michigan has put together a magical run of their own, and some of their own madness including a buzzer beater against Houston in the Round of 32. Villanova–the best team in the country entering the tourney–has beaten everyone convincingly, with their only scare being West Virginia in the Sweet 16–a game that they pulled away from anyhow. Kansas has had plenty of bumps in the road, but have managed to make it to the Final Four. After a rough start against Penn they were able to put them away convincingly, but haven’t had the same luck with the rest of their match ups. While they were ahead late against Seton Hall and Clemson, they were never able to bury either one. They also nearly lost to Duke, and have to thank Grayson Allen for not being clutch on the final shot of regulation or the final two shots in overtime.
Preview
Michigan (3) vs Loyola-Chicago (11)
Tip Off 6:09 pm EST
Line: Mich (-5.5)
The two hottest teams in the country, and one has to give. Loyola-Chicago on a 14 game winning streak. Michigan is on a 13 game winning streak. Both have needed some luck in order to get to this point. This is game to watch. They might not be better than Villanova or Kansas, but this will be certainly the more entertaining game. Both got here with defense and clutch scoring, but points should be at a premium as both have only scored 70+ just once up until this point.
Michigan has relied on Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, Mortiz Wagner, and Charles Robinson to lead the way in scoring, as well as Duncan Robinson providing almost 27 minutes a night coming off the bench. That is the formula that has got them to this point so it is hard to imagine they go away from that game plan barring injury or early foul trouble.
For Loyola-Chicago, they have had someone different step up every game and deliver the goods. One game it’s Donte Ingram, next game it’s Clayton Custer, the game after that its Marques Townes. You never know who’s going to burn you, and that is why they have made this far.
Villanova (1) vs Kansas (1)
Tip Off 8:49 pm EST
Line: Nova (-5)
We got a true powerhouse match up with this game. Whoever wins this will be the Vegas favorite to win the championship on Monday for sure. Both teams having very easy paths on their way to this point with each team only having one scare along the way. They have found an easier time scoring with each team scoring 80+ three times in four games played. Both teams have been in close games, but have responded differently.
For Villanova, their biggest scare was against West Virginia, a game where they trailed by six about halfway through the second half. They responded by finished the game outscoring West Virginia 35-18 and winning the game by 12. Against Texas Tech, they jumped out to an early lead and Texas Tech fought their way back in. Villanova never let Texas Tech come withing five points and when it got late in the game, Nova put the Red Raiders away at the Free Throw line. For Kansas, it is a little different. With double-digit leads against Clemson and Seton Hall it seemed like they had it in the bag, but late runs by both teams kept it close. Kansas while obviously winning never seemed to put those teams away and in fact let them stay in the game.
Outside the first round Villanova has won their games by 23, 12, and 12 points. Outside the first round for Kansas has won their games by a combined 12 points–4 points each game.
Predictions
Michigan vs Loyola-Chicago: Michigan
I can see this game going down to the final shot, and I can see it going both ways. However, when it comes down to the Final Four, the team with better talent beats the Cinderella. I like both teams a lot, but I am simply playing the odds.
Villanova vs Kansas: Villanova
This game that features two elite teams are probably going down to the wire as well. Still, I like Villanova. If they are up late I have reason to believe they will put Kansas away, as they have done that the entire tourney. If Kansas is up late but only by a small margin? I don’t know if they can put the nail in the coffin like Nova can. Nor do I believe if Nova gets the final shot Kansas will get lucky like they did against Duke. In summary, if the game is close, Villanova will win.