Sizing up NCAA’s Final Four teams
SAN ANTONIO The maddest of Marches is winding down, the college basketball season now headed into April. All those upsets, crazy finishes and stellar performances have brought us to San Antonio, where a Cinderella and its telegenic nun join three power programs in the Final Four.
Based on the way the bracket has gone so far, don’t be surprised if there is more madness in store.
To get you ready, we’ve got a rundown of the teams, the top players and the coaches in this year’s Final Four.
THE TEAMS
Villanova: The Wildcats shoot threes like no other, play suffocating defence and have that look — the one they had winning a national title two years ago.
Kansas: The other No. 1 seed to get through, the offensively gifted Jayhawks are back in San Antonio, where Bill Self won his only title in 2008.
Michigan: Stingy D or raining threes, these scrappy Wolverines find ways to win.
Loyola-Chicago: Sister Jean gets much of the attention, but the Ramblers have rambled into the Final Four with a free-flowing, nothing-to-lose style.
TOP PLAYERS
Jalen Brunson, Villanova: The Wildcats’ unassuming, unquestionable leader is racking up player-of-theyear awards — and possibly a second title.
Devonte’ Graham, Kansas: Similar attributes as Brunson, only with an added dash of dynamism.
Moritz Wagner, Michigan: The big German is crafty inside, can step out to hit threes, can guard multiple positions — a matchup nightmare.
Clayton Custer, Loyola: The sharpshooting guard gets mistaken for a non-player off the court and is often the best in the game on it.
KEY CONTRIBUTORS
Cameron Krutwig, Loyola: The burly freshman gives the little Ramblers the presence they need inside at both ends.
Malik Newman, Kansas: The athletic sophomore has become dynamic option No. 2 to Graham.
Mikal Bridges, Villanova: He and Brunson may be the Final Four’s best 1-2 punch.
Charles Matthews, Michigan: His late-season emergence is a big reason the Wolverines reached San Antonio.
THE COACHES
Bill Self, Kansas: This may be the best coaching job of his Hall of Fame career.
Jay Wright, Villanova: The coolest — and best-dressed — coach in college basketball has changed the game and put the Wildcats in position for a second national title in three years.
John Beilein, Michigan: Redefined his team and himself by turning the Wolverines into one of the nation’s top defensive teams. Porter Moser, Loyola: A nation of college basketball fans is learning what everyone at Loyola already knew: Moser can flat-out coach.