Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
SATURDAY’S GAMES
SOUTH REGION
(9) Kansas State (25-11) vs. (11) Loyola (31-5) 6:09 p.m., TBS The highest remaining combined seeds in a regional final in the seed era (since 1979) pit the Wildcats against the Ramblers. Kansas State hasn’t been to a Final Four since 1964, Loyola since 1963. The Ramblers have been late-shot artists, needing huge baskets in the final seconds to win their first three NCAA games. The latest came from Marques Townes, whose 3-pointer with six seconds remaining Thursday was the dagger in a 69-68 Sweet 16 victory over Nevada. Kansas State led most of the way against Kentucky and hung on for a 61-58 triumph. Xavier Sneed came up huge with 22 points. Backcourts have driven both teams’ success. Both start three or four guards. Could the difference be Loyola center Cameron Krutwig, the Missouri Valley Conference freshman of the year?
WEST REGION
(3) Michigan (31-7) vs. (9) Florida State (23-11) 8:49 p.m., TBS After two slogs, Michigan ripped through Texas A&M with 52 first-half points on its way to a 99-72 victory. Moritz Wagner, the 6-11 matchup nightmare, had 14 points in the first half against the Aggies. If the Wolverines, one of the nation’s top teams in scoring defense, continue this offensive production, this run won’t end any time soon. Florida State was just as impressive in defeating Gonzaga 75-60. The Bulldogs didn’t have an answer for the Seminoles’ length as Florida State advanced to the Elite Eight for only the third time in school history and first since 1993.