NCAA Tournament 2018: Latest Bracket Picks and Odds Advice Before Final Four

The Final Four of the 2018 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament kicks off on Saturday in San Antonio, Texas. The primary story is Loyola-Chicago's incredible run, as it is only the fourth double-digit seed to make the Final Four (VCU was the last to do so in 2011).

However, the other three schools bring interesting storylines to the table as well. Michigan has won its last 13 games, played lights-out defense and was on the right end of one of the tournament's best highlights.

Villanova is going for its second national title in three years and has the most explosive offense in the country. And Kansas just posted a victory over Duke in what was arguably the best game of the entire tournament.

On paper, this should be a fun Final Four. Here's a look at the latest odds, per OddsShark, the bracket and some picks and advice leading into the games.

Bracket

Odds

Villanova (-5) vs. Kansas: 154.5 O/U

Michigan (-5.5) vs. Loyola-Chicago: 129.5 O/U

Picks and Odds Advice

Villanova vs. Kansas

According to the Pomeroy College Basketball Ratings, Villanova has the most efficient offense in Division I. The Wildcats are also one of three teams to rank in the top 15 in offensive and defensive efficiency (the other two being Duke and Michigan State).

Kansas isn't far behind in the offense rating (fifth, per Pomeroy), but it will be difficult for the Jayhawks to win a shootout with Villanova if the game flows in that manner. Three of the Wildcats' top five scorers shoot 51 percent or better from the field, and Villanova makes 49.9 percent of their field goals overall (KU is just behind at 49.3 percent).

However, if this game is decided by free throws, Villanova has the big edge, as the Wildcats make 78 percent of their shots from the charity stripe (compared to 70.5 percent for KU).

On the Kansas side, the key to a win might be the play of senior guard Devonte' Graham, who has made just 33.9 percent of his shots during March Madness. His point-per-game average during the last three games (11.7) is far lower than his season mark (17.2).

Of course, Graham is one of the main reasons why KU went this far in the first place, and if he and sophomore guard Malik Newman (21.8 points per game during the NCAA tournament) both have solid outings from the field, then this could certainly go in the underdog's favor.

That being said, the Wildcats' offense has looked unbeatable in this tournament, as it hasn't scored fewer than 81 points in any of the four games or won by fewer than 12.

Although laying five points may be steep against a tough Kansas team that just took down Duke, Villanova is hard to bet against given how well it has played of late.

Pick: Villanova -5 and over 154.5

Loyola-Chicago vs. Michigan: Against the Spread

The 11th-seeded Ramblers of Loyola-Chicago have enjoyed one of the most remarkable runs in NCAA tournament history, and they have a chance to make history in the Final Four. With a victory over Michigan, the Ramblers would become the first double-digit seed to ever make the national championship game.

Destiny seems to be on their side, as they beat their first three opponents by just four points. All three of those victories featured clutch shots with six seconds or fewer on the clock. They then crushed Kansas State to make it to San Antonio.

However, Michigan has also enjoyed some late-game heroics as well, as freshman guard Jordan Poole nailed a buzzer-beating three-pointer to beat Houston in the second round.

The Wolverines also upset Michigan State and Purdue to win the Big Ten tournament and clinch their conference's automatic bid into the Big Dance.

Both teams play stingy defense: Per Pomeroy, Michigan is fourth in defensive efficiency, while the Ramblers rank 19th. Both teams also play at a snail's pace, as neither school ranks in the top 300 (out of 351 D-I teams) in adjusted tempo.

Therefore, it's hard seeing this game turning into a shootout, or either team pulling away from the other barring a poor shooting night from the field by one side.

Ultimately, a spread of 5.5 points is enticing given how well Loyola-Chicago has played in the tournament's first two weeks, so look to take the points.

However, the guess here is that Michigan wins the game outright thanks to its excellent defense, which has held all but one of its last 12 opponents to under 70 points in regulation.

Pick: Loyola-Chicago +5.5 and under 129.5