Villanova to meet Michigan in NCAA national championship game
It's Final Four Saturday. San Antonio's Alamodome is home to the semi-final round of the NCAA Men's basketball tournament. The last four teams standing were No. 3 seed Michigan, No. 11 Loyola-Chicago, No. 1 Villanova and No. 3 Kansas. They will compete in the semi-finals for a chance to become this year's national champion.
Michigan (32-7) defeated Loyola-Chicago (32-5) in the first game of the evening. The Wolverines were a -5.5 favorite and covered the spread, defeating the Ramblers by a score of 69-57.
And Villanova (34-3) defeated Kansas (31-7) with a final score of 95-79. Ahead of the game, the Wildcats were a five-point favorite to advance to the final.
All times below are Eastern unless otherwise noted.
Villanova defeats Kansas
Villanova wins 95-79 and will play in their second National Championship game in the past three years.
After their 11-point run in the first half, the Wildcats never looked back. They led by 15 at the half and kept a double-digit lead through the entire second half.
Eric Paschall led Nova with 24 points. Devonte' Graham had 23 for Kansas.
Along the way they set a record. Their 18 3-pointers are now the most number of field goals outside the arc in a Final Four game.
The NCAA National Championship game is now set. Villanova will face No. 3 Michigan Monday night at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Villanova hits their first mid-range shot
13:12: Villanova hits their first mid-range shot tonight. They have yet to attempt a mid-range shot or a free throw, but have hit 17 from outside the arc or 50% of the 34 they've attempted.
11:58: Commercial time out. Villanova has a 20-point lead over Kansas, 67-47.
Second half is underway
Villanova started the second half empty. As Kansas turned down the court, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk was fouled and made both his free throws.
Taking the ball down the court, Phil Booth's shot is blocked, but Eric Paschall got the rebound and sank his fourth jump shot from 3-point range. Villanova is up 50-34 over Kansas.
Villanova leads Kansas at half
At the half, Villanova leads by 15. The 47 points the Wildcats have scored is the most Kansas has allowed in the tournament so far. Villanova is 13/26 from 3-point range.
Jalen Brunson leads the Wildcats with 13, while Devonte' Graham leads the Jayhawks with 10.
The story of this game has been Villanova's shooting from outside the arc. Villanova is 17-for-33, Kansas 13-for-30. The difference, thus far, is Villanova's 13 three-pointers. All but seven of their shots have been from behind the three-point line.
The Wildcats' 13 3-point field goals ties a Final Four record for most 3-point shots made.
Another record for Villanova
Villanova has held a 3-point shooting clinic Saturday evening. The Wildcats are 15-of-27 on field goals tonight. Thirteen of those are 3-pointers.
Meanwhile, Kansas is 11 for 24, shooting 2-of-4 from downtown.
Kansas goes on a 7-point run
The Jayhawks have scored seven unanswered points, cutting Villanova's lead in halt. Coming off the bench, Silvio De Sousa scored five in the past two minutes of play. Villanova is up 28-15.
Nova breaks NCAA 3-point record
The Wildcats broke the NCAA men's basketball single season record for made 3-pointers Saturday -- and there's still 12:46 to go in the first half. The teamhit 443 3-pointers this year.
They lead the Jayhawks 22-4.
Villanova is on fire
Villanova came out the gates hot and immediately went on an 11-o run. The Wildcats lead the Kansas Jayhawks 16-4.
Freshman forward Omari Spellman leads the team with six.
Next up: Kansas vs. Villanova
Kansas and Villanova are warming up ahead of tip-off. The winner will meet Michigan in the national championship. The game is scheduled for Monday night at 9:20 p.m. ET on TBS.
This is Villanova's second Final Four appearance in the last three years. Kansas is returning to the city and arena where it won its last NCAA title in 2008, CBS Sports writes.
Michigan defeats Loyola-Chicago
On the shoulders of junior Moritz Wagner, the Michigan Wolverines have defeated the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers 69-57.
Michigan went on a 38-16 run to close the game. Wagner lead Michigan with 24 points and Charles Matthews had 17.
The Wolverines will play for its first NCAA national championship since 1989 on Monday.
For Loyola-Chicago: Cameron Krutwig led the Ramblers with 17 points. Custer finished with 15 on the night and a career-high 14 rebounds.
Loyola-Chicago looks for a prayer
Down eight points with only a minute left, the Ramblers have begun fouling Michigan to conserve time on the clock. Michigan leads 68-57.
Michigan leads by 10
The Wolverines are up 61-51 against the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers. Michigan junior Moritz Wagner leads the team with 24 points with 2 minutes to go.
Marcus Towns leaves, returns to game after quad injury
Marcus Towns leaves, returns to game after quad injury
Marcus Townes momentarily left the game after dealing with cramping in his left thigh. He's now back in the game with 6:02 to go. Michigan leads 51-47.
Michigan closes the gap
The Wolverines have cut the 10 point deficit to a 3-point lead. Loyola-Chicago leads 47-44 with 7 minutes to play. Michigan fifth-year senior Duncan Robinson hit two big 3-pointers in the second half. He currently has six points. His team is 28-0 when he scores six points or more.
Loyola-Chicago leads by 10
For the second time tonight, Loyola went up by 10 points over Michigan. The Ramblers lead the Wolverines 41-31.
Clayton Custer now has 9 points for the Ramblers. They've answered back every time Michigan has scored.
Ramblers lead Wolverines at halftime
The Ramblers are leading the Wolverines 29-22 at halftime. Cameron Krutwig and Marques Townes lead Loyola-Chicago with 8 points each. Meanwhile, Moritz Wagner has 11 and Charles Matthews has 8 points for Michigan.
Loyola-Chicago is 24-0 when leading at halftime this year, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Ramblers take the lead back
Loyola tied it up with 6:47 left in the first half.
After some back-and-forth, Loyola went to the line and took two more. Towns added another bucket from inside the paint, securing a 9-point run for Loyola.
Half-way through the first half, Michigan up by one
After starting quick, Loyola was having trouble finding a bucket. Michigan went on a 9-point run. During that time, Loyola was 2-for-9. They could find the rim, but couldn't get many to go down.
Then both teams just went over seven minutes without a basket on either side. Michigan has been suffocating Loyola, but the Ramblers are starting to find their way back into the game.
Ramblers struggle to find their shot
Loyola-Chicago has struggled to find their shot early in Saturday's game. They've missed their last six shots. After a 9-0 run, Michigan leads 12-4 with 12:30 to go in the first half.
Michigan vs. Loyola-Chicago starting lineups
Michigan is the home team in tonight's game. Here's the starting five:
Zavier Simpson
Charles Matthews
Moe Wagner
Isiah Livers
Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman
The starter's for Loyola-Chicago are below:
Marques Townes
Ben Richardson
Clayton Custer
Donte Ingram
Cameron Krutwig