A pair of 32-win teams will square off in the first NCAA men’s basketball national semifinal on Saturday evening, as the 11-seed Ramblers of Loyola-Chicago meet the 3-seed Michigan Wolverines. Loyola-Chicago beat Miami (FL), Tennessee and Nevada with a trio of buzzer-beating shots before giving Kansas State a hide-tanning to make it to the Final Four. Michigan has taken down Montana, Houston (via a buzzer-beater of their own), Texas A&M and Florida State on their road to San Antonio. Loyola-Chicago makes their first Final Four appearance since 1963, and Michigan returns for the first time since 2013. Who goes in as the favorite in the Final Four odds?
Loyola-Chicago vs. Michigan 2018 Final Four Odds & Preview
When: Saturday, March 31, 2018, 6:09pm ETWhere: The Alamodome, San AntonioTV: TBSRadio: NoneLive Stream: March Madness LiveFinal Four Odds: Michigan -5
Why should you bet on the Ramblers’ Final Four Odds?
Many observers thought that the grinding defense of Kansas State would wear down the Ramblers’ attack, but all Loyola-Chicago did was jump out to an early lead and keep the Wildcats down. The Ramblers shot 57% from the floor, while K-State only managed a 34% performance. Ben Richardson led the way with 23 points, going 6 for 7 from downtown, breaking out from a relatively cold first three games in the tournament. That was needed, because top scorer Clayton Custer went just 2 for 7 on the night. Loyola-Chicago is now riding a 14-game winning streak, and their defense is the prime reason, as they rank fifth in the nation by permitting 62.4 points per game. However, their timely shooting from the field (over 40% outside the arc and around 60% inside it) is another factor that makes them dangerous.
The issue that Loyola will face in the Final Four is a disparity in talent level. Against teams like Michigan, Villanova and Kansas, the Ramblers will be playing against opponents who will be donning NBA uniforms this time next year, and there’s no one on Loyola’s squad who is on anyone’s pro draft radar. If you like Loyola-Chicago to cover (or even win) here, then you think Michigan’s streaky offense will go back to cold (which it could) and the scheme that the Ramblers bring is good enough to outscore a talented Michigan team for 40 minutes — or at least stay within five points.
Why should you put your money on the Wolverines’ Final Four Odds?
The Michigan Wolverines only put up 58 points in their win over Florida State in the Elite Eight on Saturday, as they shot just 39% from the floor. They contested nine of every ten shots from the Seminoles, though, which was a big factor in Florida State’s 32% shooting percentage. Charles Matthews was the team’s leading scorer, putting up 17 points and eight boards. Through the tournament, he has averaged 16.5 points per game. Moritz Wagner, who has led the team in scoring all season, went just 3 for 11, but he had some big rebounds in the game to extend possessions. The Wolverines were ice-cold from behind the arc, going just 4 for 22 a couple days after draining 14 shots from downtown against Texas A&M. They relied on penetration to the rim and trips to the free throw line, and it paid off.
Michigan also has a stingy defense, ranking eighth in the nation by permitting just 63.1 points per game. The Wolverines have put together their numbers through a Big Ten schedule, rather than a Missouri Valley Conference schedule. While Loyola-Chicago has beaten some talented teams, they haven’t played anyone yet with the roster that Michigan has.
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
If you look at the shooting that Loyola has put together in this tournament — with five different scorers shooting better than 51% on the season — they should find some holes in the Michigan defense. The Wolverines live and die by the three-pointer, and they survived Florida State because of the Seminoles’ difficulties rebounding. Loyola-Chicago can stifle the three-ball with their perimeter defense. I see Michigan winning, but I like the Ramblers to stay in that line. I’m predicting a final score of Michigan 63, Loyola-Chicago 60.
