Final Four 2018: Michigan Wolverines vs Loyola Ramblers live blog

[live_blog_entry id=”LBE17″ title=”Wrap-Up” author=”20858″]

This was everything we’d hoped for, with both teams showing a lot of grit and determination. Ultimately, Michigan’s poor shooting night evened out, and that was too much for Loyola to overcome.

It’s worth noting that the Ramblers really looked fatigued in the last two minutes of the game, a result of Michigan picking up the pace and making Loyola chase the ball on both offense and defense.

While it may be the end of a great story, Loyola gave the country a lot of great memories and many smiles through their fantastic play and — of course — Sister Jean, who was the darling of the entire tournament.

Michigan will be a tough matchup for either Villanova or Kansas, but will likely be an underdog to either team. Look for Moritz Wagner, our MVP of this game, to make his presence felt again in the championship game.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry title=”Big Mo With Big Blue” author=”20858″ id=”LBE16″]This has been a huge swing of momentum in Michigan’s favor, and it all stems from their active hands on defense, and keeping the ball moving on offense. They have Loyola really out of sorts right now, with no cohesiveness or plan to what they’re doing. The communication which carried them for most of the game has seemingly shut down. It’s becoming quicksand for the Ramblers.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE15″ title=”Wolverines! ” author=”20858″]Now it’s Michigan’s turn to bring some heat. Ball movement, keeping the Ramblers from standing and easily contesting shots is opening things up for the Wolverines. This one is far from over. If Duncan Robinson gets hot, look out.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE14″ title=”Welp…” author=”20858″]Not only has “shrug man” made an appearance, but the pace of this game really favors Loyola right now. Michigan needs to get the Ramblers running to climb back in this game. Seven points at this pace, trading baskets, isn’t going to be overcome.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE13″ author=”20858″]Very few teams communicate with each other on the court as well as Loyola. There are a lot of verbal and visual cues being passed from player to player. That’s a result of some good coaching.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE12″ title=”First Half Breakdown” author=”20858″]

LOYOLA CHICAGO – 29    MICHIGAN  – 22   @HALFTIME

It looked like this one might get out of hand and become a Michigan romp, but after a rocky start, Loyola found their game. Once the Ramblers started going inside-out and forcing the Michigan defenders to move to the paint, shots started opening up and fouls started happening. The Ramblers finished the half on a 25-10 run to overcome the early Michigan lead.

Michigan has been playing on a pretty even level for the entire first half, and has been able to keep the Loyola shooters from having a lot of open looks from outside. Some lapses in defense at the end of the half cost them at least four points. That could turn out to be a huge difference in this game.

The Wolverines will really have to watch the fouls in the second half. Playing from behind they’ll be prone to pressing a little more, and getting into early foul trouble in the second half could prove fatal.

Right now, momentum is all on Loyola’s side, but that can change quickly at the start of the half. The Ramblers need to be prepared for Michigan to come out gunning the way they did at tipoff.

FIRST HALF LEADERS

Loyola: Cameron Krutwig – 8 pts, Aundre Jackson – 8 pts.
Michigan: Moritz Wagner – 11 pts, Charles Matthews – 8 pts.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE11″ author=”20858″]Loyola fans are now 🔥 after a slow start by the Ramblers

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE10″ title=”Sweet finish before the buzzer ” author=”20858″]https://twitter.com/marchmadness/status/980212181537931264

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE9″ title=”Cubs Are Ramblin’ ” author=”20858″]Looks like the Cubbies are all in on Loyola.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE8″ author=”20858″]Absolutely true, and so far Loyola wants to live and die by the three. Michigan is too good defensively to be one-dimensional against.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE1″ author=”20858″]Our pregame poll (see bottom of post) has 44 percent of responders predicting a close win for Loyola tonight.  Would have to agree with that.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE7″ title=”Michigan Starters ” author=”20858″]https://twitter.com/umichbball/status/980204665609572353

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry title=”How the game stacks up before tipoff” author=”20858″ id=”LBE6″]Still of the opinion this game will be decided at the free throw line. Such evenly matched teams who play a similar game will nullify each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Many rainbow 3s? Probably . Cameron Krutwig is my pick to be a huge difference-maker in this game for the Ramblers.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE5″ title=”Loyola Starters ” author=”20858″]https://twitter.com/RamblersMBB/status/980200062558097410

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE4″ title=”Loyola preview ” author=”20858″]https://dawindycity.com/2018/03/30/loyola-basketball-facing-mirror-image-final-four-michigan/

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE3″ title=”Michigan Preview ” author=”20858″]https://gbmwolverine.com/2018/03/31/michigan-basketball-vs-loyola-watch-storylines/

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE2″ title=”Pregame Poll ” author=”20858″]https://twitter.com/BustingBrackets/status/980173542519132161

[/live_blog_entry]