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CBB: Breaking News Updates

Chas Post

No. 11 Loyola (CH) clinches second Final Four berth (March 24, 2018): The Ramblers are on a Cinderella run that we've only see three times prior. The 1986 LSU Tigers, 2006 George Mason, 2011 VCU, and now the 2018 Loyola (CH) teams are the only programs to reach the Final Four from a No. 11 seed, and no lower seed has ever made it to the promised land. But these guys are going to try and take the next step and win their semifinals matchup, something none of those teams could pull off. If you don't know by now, this Loyola team, led by Sister Jean, has real talent. They've defeated the likes of Kent State, Florida, Northern Iowa, Illinois State, Miami, Tennessee, Nevada, and Kansas State. That's a legitimate schedule. The best players on the team are Clayton Custer, the Iowa State transfer, who is leading the team with 13.2 points per game, and Donte Ingram, who records 11.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. But the thing that makes this team so hard to beat is their balance. They have five players who average double-digit points. And guys like Ben Richardson can explode at any time for 23 points like he did against No. 9 Kansas State in the Elite Eight.


No. 3 Michigan squeaks by No. 9 Florida State in Elite Eight (March 24, 2018): The team Loyola will be seeing in San Antonio on Saturday night will be Michigan, following their four-point triumph over Florida State. The Wolverines are in the midst of a historic season, despite not being talked about for most of the year. They are now 32-7, which is the most wins in a single year for the program and are headed to their second Final Four in the last six seasons, after losing to Louisville in the 2013 title game. Michigan proved over the last couple of days that they can win in a multitude of ways. In the Sweet Sixteen, they were firing on all cylinders, shooting 61.9 percent from the field and 58.3 percent from three-point range, en route to a 99-72 drubbing of No. 7 Texas A&M. But the threes weren't falling the following game, and yet John Beilein's crew fought their way to a 58-54 victory over an extremely athletic 'Noles team. They were led by Kentucky transfer, Charles Matthews, who dropped 17 points and pulled down eight rebounds. He has been the best player on the team in the NCAA Tournament, and will look to help Michigan get back to the national title game.


No. 1 Villanova pulls away from No. 3 Texas Tech (March 25, 2018): The highest seeded team remaining in the field, the Wildcats, fended off a late run from the Red Raiders and ascended to their second Final Four in the last three campaigns. Jay Wright and three key players: Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Phil Booth were a huge part of that title run that they'll try and recreate this season in Texas. The Wildcats were the favorites in many peoples eyes coming into the NCAA Tournament and after wins over Radford, Alabama, West Virginia, and Texas Tech, they're just two wins away from another championship. After handling their first two opponents with ease, they were tested a bit by the two Big 12 opponents. And yet in both games, Villanova came out on top by 12 points. West Virginia led 60-54 in the second half, and then the Cats turned it on and won 90-78. In the Elite Eight, Villanova struggled to shoot from outside, but found a way to grind out a win, led by Eric Paschall's impressive 12 points and 14 boards. I don't think it would shock anyone if Wright's team won their next two games and were the only team left standing.


No. 1 Kansas escapes No. 2 Duke in overtime thriller (March 25, 2018): In the best game of the weekend, a pair of blue bloods faced off with a Final Four berth on the line. And the stakes felt even higher because of who was on the floor for each team. Kansas is led by senior Devonte' Graham, who realizes that any game could be his last. And he's already been to two Elite Eights, but had previously failed to win the regional final. As for Duke, the Blue Devils have senior Grayson Allen, and a trio of freshman that are likely headed to the NBA: Marvin Bagley III, Wendell Carter, and Trevon Duval. That's four players that came so close to the Final Four, and yet failed to do so. It was a tight game all along, with Kansas' largest lead being seven points, which was quickly answered by a 7-0 Duke spirt. Allen had a potential game-winning floater hang on the rim at the end of regulation, but it rolled off. Then Malik Newman absolutely took over in the extra period, scoring 13 points in the five minutes, including a go-ahead three-pointer. Newman finished with 32 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. Bill Self is headed to his third Final Four and looking for his second national title.


Photo Credit: Die Hards.

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