Can Loyola-Chicago complete its miracle run?
Two of the NCAA tournament’s most exciting teams meet each in the Final Four, as mid-major Loyola-Chicago will look to write another chapter in its Cinderella story and Michigan will aim to continue its impressive March run after surging late in the Big Ten season.
Both teams have already provided their share of memories, with Loyola’s 98-year-old super-fan Sister Jean DoloresSchmidt ruling the national spotlight as the underdog team busted brackets and Michigan’s second-round buzzer-beater — a Jordan Poole 30-foot prayer — serving as the biggest single highlight reel of March Madness thus far.
At first glance, it’s impossible to ignore the obvious with this matchup. Loyola is just the fourth No. 11 seed to reach the Final Four. And that alone seems to point to the third-seeded Wolverines, who won the Big Ten tournament title before the NCAAs, as the favorite here. But closer inspection reveals a much more enticing matchup between two high-octane offenses that don’t rely on one player alone and two stout defenses that have been overshadowed on both these teams’ thrilling runs to San Antonio. Loyola’s path to the Final Four: The Ramblers won their first three NCAA tournament games on jumpers in the final seconds. They beat No. 6 seed Miami (Fla.) in the first-round off a Donte Ingram buzzer-beater, No. 3 Tennessee in the second round off a Clayton Custer pull-up with three seconds left and they topped No. 7 Nevada in the Sweet 16 off a Marques Townes three-pointer with six seconds left. Then they demolished a ninth-seeded Kansas State team that knocked off Kentucky in the previous round. Michigan’s path to the Final Four: The Wolverines took down No. 14 seed Montana in the first round before clipping No. 6 Houston on the stunning buzzer-beater in the Round of 32. They looked as impressive as any team has in the tournament in hammering Texas A&M in the Sweet 16. Then they survived a defensive battle against a gritty Florida State team in the Elite Eight to earn its place in San Antonio. How Loyola has the edge: The Ramblers have a spacedout offense predicated on the extra pass and the “hockey assist” as coach Porter Moser has called it. When this team is shooting at its regular percentage — Loyola averages 50% per game — that’s tough for any team to stop. That’s especially the case in this tournament when four different players have taken turns having the hot hand in each victory. Moser also makes his team even more of a matchup nightmare when he goes to a smaller, five-guard lineup. Usually when teams penetrate, defenses can scheme around a big man or a player who can’t light it up from outside. Not with this team. How Michigan has the
edge: The Wolverines, like many power conference teams, have assets Loyola doesn’t. But coach John Beilein’s team will have to top the Ramblers with a mix of athleticism (feeding the post offensively, using length on perimeter defense) and beating Loyola at its own game — turning to several players to spark the offense and playing strong defense off screens. Moe Wag- ner is 6-11 matchup nightmare Loyola hasn’t seen who can stretch the floor with his versatility and shot-making. The same goes for 6-8 Duncan Robinson. Key player for the Ram
blers: Cameron Krutwig. The 6-9 freshman big man will have his hands full with Wagner and will be tasked with stepping out of the paint more than he’s comfortable to contain the 6-11 forward. In that sense, he can’t get into foul trouble. On offense, he’ll have to continue his stellar inside-out passing and lowpost game that’s been a difference-maker in Loyola’s other tournament wins. Key player for the Wolverines: Charles Matthews. The 6-6 guard is bigger and stronger than most of Loyola’s backcourt players, and he’ll have to play like it against Michigan. His 17 points and eight rebounds were instrumental in Michigan beating Florida State in a physical game. Which team reaches the ti
tle game? Loyola. Mid-major or not, this is a team that has more weaponry and dimensions than Cinderella Final Fours of the past such as George Mason or Virginia Commonwealth. The Ramblers’ tournament success has been a product of a (somewhat) beatable system, but their chemistry within that system is what makes Michigan another power conference team that will be left powerless.