NCAA Tournament 2018: B/R Expert Predictions, Updated Results for Elite Eight

The 2018 Final Four is set!

It has been a wild ride, but three elite programs and one long shot will face off for the NCAA men's basketball title.

After a thrilling overtime win against Duke on Sunday, No. 1 seed Kansas will play a fellow top seed, Villanova, on Saturday in San Antonio.

That'll be the late game after No. 11 seed Loyola of Chicago tries to keep its Cinderella run alive under the watchful eye of Sister Jean Dolores-Schmidt against No. 3 seed Michigan.

No. 1 Kansas 85, No. 2 Duke 81, OT

Nati Harnik/Associated Press

In a seesaw battle, Bill Self's Kansas Jayhawks advanced to the Final Four with an overtime win against the Duke Blue Devils. Duke held a 36-33 lead at halftime, but Grayson Allen couldn't make a potential game-winning shot as the clock ticked down in regulation. That set up a tour de force by the Jayhawks' Malik Newman in overtime.

Top Performers

Newman scored all 13 points for Kansas in the extra frame and finished with 32. Trevon Duval netted 20 to lead Duke.

X-Factor

Foul trouble was an issue for both teams. Wendell Carter Jr. and Udoka Azubuike fouled out after spending significant minutes on their respective benches.

Marvin Bagley III also wasn't a big enough factor for the Blue Devils. After scoring 22 points in each of Duke's three previous tournament games, he was held to just 16 by Kansas.

Next Round

Kansas will face No. 1 seed Villanova in Final Four action Saturday in San Antonio.

—Updated by Carol Schram

No. 1 Villanova 71, No. 3 Texas Tech 59

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Top-seeded Villanova used a major rebounding advantage and a healthy edge at the free-throw line to offset poor shooting and win the East Regional final in Boston, advancing to its second Final Four in three years.

The Wildcats (34-4) shot only 33.3 percent from the field and were 4-of-24 from three-point range after making 44 threes in their first three NCAA tournament games. But they held No. 3 seed Texas Tech (27-10) to 33.3 percent shooting as well and dominated the boards 50-28 while recording 19 offensive rebounds.

Villanova led 36-23 at halftime thanks to a 20-6 run that turned around an early 9-1 deficit. The Wildcats never trailed in the second half.

Top Performers

Eric Paschall recorded 12 points and 14 rebounds for Villanova, while Jalen Brunson scored 15 to go with four assists. That duo shot 15-of-18 from the foul line. Keenan Evans finished with 12 points for Texas Tech but was just 3-of-14 from the field.

X-Factor

Villanova had a 15-point edge at the foul line, making 29 of its 35 free throws to Texas Tech's 14-of-18. The Wildcats were 15-of-16 in the second half, including a perfect 10-of-10 in the last 1:15.

Next Round

Villanova will play No. 1 seed Kansas in Saturday's Final Four.

—Updated by Brian J. Pedersen

No. 11 Loyola of Chicago 78, No. 9 Kansas State 62

David Goldman/Associated Press

The Loyola of Chicago Ramblers squeaked through the first three rounds of March Madness with heart-stopping wins. Saturday was different in Atlanta. Loyola-Chicago jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first five minutes and never let up, knocking off another underdog in the No. 9 seed Kansas State Wildcats.

Top Performers

Ben Richardson's 6-of-7 shooting from long range anchored his 23-point effort for the Ramblers. He added four assists and six rebounds. Barry Brown (14 points) and Xavier Sneed (16 points) both hit double digits for the Wildcats.

X-Factor

Whether it's their fans' Gryffindor scarves or the support of team chaplain Sister Jean Dolores-Schmidt, Loyola-Chicago has created a captivating mythology in this tournament that makes them the quintessential likable underdog. Gaining confidence and getting better as the tournament goes on, can the Ramblers win two more games?

Next Round

How odd does this sound? Loyola-Chicago will face No. 3 seed Michigan in the Final Four.

—Updated by Carol Schram

No. 3 Michigan 58, No. 9 Florida State 54

Alex Gallardo/Associated Press

The No. 3 seed Michigan Wolverines fended off a late challenge by the No. 9 seed Florida State Seminoles to return to the Final Four for the first time since 2013.

John Beilein's team appeared to be ready to cruise to the finish after Duncan Robinson knocked down a three-pointer with 2:24 left. Florida State came back, however, and got as close as three points following PJ Savoy's shot from beyond the arc with 1:16 remaining.

Michigan had a nervy finish, as it missed four free throws in the final two minutes, but Robinson's pair of foul shots with 21 seconds left secured the victory.

Top Performers 

Charles Matthews led the Wolverines with 17 points to go with eight rebounds, two blocks and a steal.

Phil Cofer was Florida State's top scorer, as he produced 16 points, while Savoy added 12.

X-Factor

Five of Robinson's seven points were crucial, as he drilled a three-pointer to open a 10-point advantage and hit both of his free throws to finish off the victory.

Next Round

Michigan will face No. 11 seed Loyola of Chicago in the Final Four on Saturday in San Antonio.

—Updated by Joe Tansey