The Unlikely Final Four

It has certainly been an eventful yet stressful month of March for college basketball fans. Whether if you're a fan of an underdog, supporting your own school, or rooting for your bracket you bet money on, this is the sport for you. We always expect upsets to happen every year, but definitely did not see a 16-seed beat a 1-seed in the first round (hi Virginia). There was 68 teams that entered, now only 4 remain. Michigan, Loyola-Chicago, Kansas, and Villanova. Just like everyone predicted. Michigan was a sleeper that only certain people saw coming, I don't think anyone expected Loyola thats for sure, but Kansas and Villanova lead the charge as one of the two teams to potentially win the whole tournament.

Loyola vs. Michigan will be an interesting matchup because a lot of viewers want Loyola to win, but will they be outplayed by the BIG10 champs in Michigan? The Wolverines play in a power conference is college basketball against top notch competitors, but the Ramblers of Loyola have played with a chip on their shoulder throughout the whole tournament that has motivated them to keep winning games. Despite coming from a smaller conference, they have a small yet crafty team that has a productive offense with players who can shoot and cut to the basket effectively. Michigan will have to defend the 3-point line well and overall limit the offense of the Ramblers to win the game.

The other matchup might be the best possible game of the tournament: Villanova and Kansas. Two powerhouse schools going at it looking to secure a spot in the championship game. Kanas and head coach Bill Self has had a streak of not making it past the Elite 8 and is looking to keep advancing in the tournament with the help of senior Devonte' Graham. Graham has led the Jayhawk's offense the whole season and is looking for a career game versus Nova. On the other side, the Wildcats are led by Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson with the best offense in the country. It will come down to who can capitalize on free throws especially towards the end of the game because it will certainly be a close one. If I had to make any bets on it, Michigan will beat Loyola, Villanova will defeat Kansas, and Nova will be the National Champions after beating the Ramblers.