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NCAA Final Four 2018 Preview (Loyola-Chicago Vs. Michigan, Villanova Vs. Kansas): Game Time Start, Channel Info

Both NCAA Final Four games will be held on Saturday, and here is everything you need to know.

NCAA Final Four 2018 Preview

The first matchup will see the No. 11 Loyola-Chicago Ramblers (32-5) face the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines (32-7) at the Alamodome in San Antonio. That game will begin at 6:09pm EST and will air on TBS.

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The Ramblers have displayed great defensive play this season. Loyola’s 78 points against Kansas State in the Elite Eight were among the team’s highest total points in a game this season.

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Michigan boasts an even stronger defense, however. The Wolverines rank No. 4 in adjusted defensive efficiency, per KenPom.com, vs. No. 19 for Loyola.

Aundre Jackson, Donte Ingram, Clayton Custer and Marques Townes will be among the Ramblers players to watch.

Michigan’s key contributors include 6-foot-11 Mortiz Wagner, the sharp-shooting, trash-talking German forward.

The second semifinal on Saturday will see two top-seeds face off: the Villanova Wildcats (34-4) and the Kansas Jayhawks (31-7).

That game, also held at the Alamodome, will begin at 8:49pm EST and will also air on TBS.

Villanova has yet to win by fewer than 12 points in this year’s NCAA Tournament.

Jayhawks players to watch for include senior point guard Devonte Graham. The Big 12 Player of the Year is averaging 17.2 points, 7 assists, and just over 1 turnover a game.

Udoka Azubuike, a 7-foot sophomore, is also a major asset for Kansas, as is Malik Newman. Newman, a 6-foot-3 transfer from Mississippi State, averaged 24 points per game in the Big 12 Tourney and is shooting nearly 50 percent from three in the NCAA Tournament.

 

Pablo Mena

Writer and assistant editor for usports.org. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.

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