At least once a week, AEI Sports brings together knowledgable writers on a topic to debate and discuss in a live chat. In this edition, we previewed the Final Four on the eve of the games. Thanks for reading as always, and remember to subscribe to this website, as we post new content daily. Also, follow us @aeisports on Instagram and Twitter!

Ethan Isaacson [10:39 PM]

How’s it going

Aden Berger [10:40 PM]

joined #finalfour2018 by invitation from Ethan Isaacson.

Ethan Isaacson [10:41 PM]

Thanks for joining me Aden, let’s jump right into it. What are your thoughts on the games tomorrow?

Aden Berger [10:42 PM]

I think the Michigan vs. Loyola game will be extremely close.

They are pretty similar teams. They both shoot threes and move the ball well.

Ethan Isaacson [10:43 PM]

Despite some of the narrative, both these teams are built on the defensive end.

Aden Berger [10:43 PM]

Very true. I am in love with Loyola’s defense.

They get so many deflections and hold teams to the final seconds of the shot clock very often.

Ethan Isaacson [10:44 PM]

I expect a slow, low scoring game. Both of these teams are in the bottom quartile of tempo, and are in the top 20 of adjusted defense.

Aden Berger [10:44 PM]

I don’t know who matches up with Wagner for Loyola.

Like he is too mobile for Krutwig.

Ethan Isaacson [10:45 PM]

Which Mo Wagner will show up? The shooter we saw against A&M, the interior force we saw against Florida State, or the neither we saw against Houston?

This isn’t new, he’s been pretty inconsistent all year.

Aden Berger [10:45 PM]

I think he will shoot well. I see Michigan spreading around most of their scoring and I think that suits Wagner well – when he is one of many shooters

Ethan Isaacson [10:46 PM]

Not sure if Michigan is capable of that. Their offense devolves into Abdur-Rahkman and Simpson fairly quickly.

Aden Berger [10:47 PM]

I like Duncan Robinson as well. I don’t like when Abdur-Rahkman goes into alpha mode and attempts takes over. I’m not sure he’s really capable of much of iso scoring.

Ethan Isaacson [10:48 PM]

Also, once Michigan was able to get Florida state to play slow is when they were able to take over the game. That won’t work against Loyola Chicago. Loyola Chicago likes to play slow

Aden Berger [10:49 PM]

I think it will come down to the final few minutes. I think Loyola will move the ball well and everything will depend on whether Michigan forces it to one guy or moves the ball well.

Ethan Isaacson [10:49 PM]

Both of these teams have had their fair share of miracle moments at the end of games already.

Aden Berger [10:50 PM]

Yeah. Let’s get down to it. Who do you think wins?

Ethan Isaacson [10:50 PM]

I wonder how Custer will do. This is some of the best opposing guard play he will have faced all season.

Aden Berger [10:50 PM]

I think he is up to the challenge

He has passed every test thrown at him

Ethan Isaacson [10:51 PM]

I like the Ramblers balanced offensive attack against Michigan more than I like Michigan’s offense against Loyola. I’ll take the underdogs.

Aden Berger [10:52 PM]

I can definitely see that, but with these teams so evenly matched I tend to take the team with more talent. I’ll take the Wolverines.

Ethan Isaacson [10:52 PM]

Onto Kansas vs. Villanova

Initial thoughts?

First of all it’s crazy how chalk this half of the bracket was, and how absurd the other half was.

Aden Berger [10:53 PM]

I am pleasantly surprised by Kansas so far

I did not like them but Malik Newman has been amazing and Svi has been great when needed

I think Devante’ Graham has another level to go to and it could be in this game, but I think Villanova has too much talent

Ethan Isaacson [10:54 PM]

Both of these teams are fairly reliant on the outside shot

Aden Berger [10:54 PM]

Just like the other game these are very similar teams. They are both jump shooting teams

Ethan Isaacson [10:55 PM]

Villanova has had the better defense taking the whole year into account

Aden Berger [10:55 PM]

I want to see Mikal Bridges make a statement

Brunson vs. Graham will be incredible

Ethan Isaacson [10:56 PM]

Bridges has been phenomenal starting in the big east tournament – on the defensive end too. He did well against Sexton.

But I do feel Kansas has a better interior presence in Udoza Azubuike

Aden Berger [10:56 PM]

I like Spellman

He isn’t as good as Azubuike but he is still good

Ethan Isaacson [10:56 PM]

Spellman is a shooter – on offense

Aden Berger [10:57 PM]

I think ultimately I believe in Villanova more as a shooting team and therefore I believe they will win

Ethan Isaacson [10:58 PM]

Villanovas defense has really impressed me – but Kansas will be a new level of challenge.

They were able to do well against Xavier’s arsenal of weapons twice this year though.

Aden Berger [10:59 PM]

If Bridges can neutralize Graham, which I think he can, Villanova will win

I could see DiVincenzo going off too.

Ethan Isaacson [11:02 PM]

I’ll take Nova too. I love both offenses, but trust the Wildcats to get a stop when it matters more. Azubuike is an X-factor but Nova has shown well on the defensive end.

Aden Berger [11:02 PM]

Ok we are in agreement here.

I also think Nova would beat either of Loyola or Michigan

I think Kansas is better then either of them too

Ethan Isaacson [11:03 PM]

I tend to think the same – but Michigan and Loyola Chicago both play a good defense, slow down the game type of ball that can be hard to beat.

And both Nova and Kansas teams are jump shooting teams which means if they miss their shots they’re at risk

Aden Berger [11:03 PM]

But Nova also can slow the game down and play defense, and they have a far superior offense

Ethan Isaacson [11:04 PM]

The shots not going has rarely happened to Nova in particular this year.

I agree Villanova or Kansas would be the favorite regardless of who they play, but it’s no sure thing

Aden Berger [11:04 PM]

I just can’t see Nova losing to any of these remaining teams unless they go ice cold form three

And there is no reason to believe that will happen

Ethan Isaacson [11:05 PM]

I see Kansas as a very formidable opponent for the Wildcats in the 1st round. I went back and forth on that game many times.

I’d say Villanova has less than a 50% chance to win the whole thing. Would you agree?

Aden Berger [11:06 PM]

I just go back to them being similar teams, but I think Villanova is the better version. Brunson and Graham are both great, and Newman and DiVincenzo are good shooters, but no one can stop Bridges

I just can’t see Villanova losing this tournament

Ethan Isaacson [11:08 PM]

There we go, so in summary, we both agree Villanova is the favorite, but I see them as barely having above a 50/50 shot at winning their first game, and no lock in the 2nd either. Big difference in the extent to which we believe they are the favorite here.

Thanks for chatting Aden

Aden Berger [11:09 PM]

This was fun