This NCAA Tournament has been electric. First, saw the first 16 seed beat a 1 seed with UMBC stunning Virginia. Then, we watched Nevada pull off an epic comeback in the 2nd half against Cincinnati.
We also witnessed heartbreak as Isaac Haas fractured his elbow, effectively ending his tournament. We saw Loyola-Chicago’s Sister Jean become a media sensation, while also watching a fantastic match-up in Duke vs. Kansas for the rights to San Antonio.
Now, this Saturday, America will witness the Final Four. The quartet of remaining teams will battle it out in the Alamodome for a chance at the National Championship.
And, if you believe in karma, none of these teams were named in the FBI investigation!
With Saturday night quickly approaching, let’s break down the Final Four teams and who you can expect to hoist the trophy come Monday night.
4. Loyola-Chicago
Credit-Alyssa Schukar/New York Times
11-seeded Loyola-Chicago has been the most exciting team this NCAA tournament. The Ramblers are living the Cinderella story as just the third 11 seed to reach the Final Four (George Mason, VCU), and are looking to become the first seed lower than 9 to make the National Championship Game.
The Ramblers are an experienced team led by Marques Townes (11.5 ppg) and Clayton Cluster (11.5 ppg). They’ve also been a real force inside the paint.
Media darling Sister Jean and the resilient Loyola-Chicago team will look to keep their fairy tale story alive against Michigan. It will surely be an exciting and entertaining matchup.
3. Michigan
Credit-Michigan.org
The Wolverines make their second trip to the Final Four in the last six years and are looking for a different result this time around, having fallen to Louisville in the 2013 National Championship.
The Big Ten Champs are led by Charles Matthews, who’s averaging 16.5 ppg this tournament. His team has been hot shooting the ball as of late.
A last-second win over Houston in the second round propelled Michigan, making them perhaps the hottest team in the Final Four. However, the Wolverines will face a tough opponent in Loyola-Chicago, who will come ready to play and continue their string of upsets.
2. Kansas
Credit-Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
While they are a 1 seed, the Jayhawks have had to work hard to get to the Final Four. After beating Penn in the first round, Kansas overcame a gritty Seton Hall team, and scratched out nail-biting victories against Clemson and Duke to punch their ticket to San Antonio.
Malik Newman’s been a monster, averaging 21 ppg, with his two highest-scoring games coming against Seton Hall and Duke. LaGerald Vick is only averaging 13.5 ppg throughout the tournament, but he has the ability to go off at anytime.
Kansas will need to play tough and try not to fall too far behind Villanova on Saturday in order to earn a trip to the National Championship.
1. Villanova
Credit-Michael Heiman/Getty Images
The Wildcats arrive in San Antonio as the most dominant team in the Final Four. Due to the layout of the bracket, everyone thought 1-seeded Villanova would trample their competition since the start of the tournament.
It turns out everyone was right. The Wildcats flat out overpowered their competition, steamrolling their way through the East Region. Most noteworthy is floor general and National Player of the Year, Jalen Brunson, who’s averaging 17.5 ppg.
Mikal Bridges is also becoming a force to reckon with this tournament, averaging 16 ppg. Dante DiVincenzo has shot the ball well, especially from beyond the arc.
Villanova faces its toughest opponent in Kansas on Saturday. Even if you’re not a basketball fan, this game is must-watch television.
Pundits and analysts can spew stats all day. But it’s called ‘March Madness’ for a reason. Who do you think will come out on top?
