Live Blogging: Shish on College Basketball: 2018 NCAA MBK National Semifinal: Loyola-Chicago Ramblers vs. Michigan Wolverines 03/31/2018

NCAA MBK National Semifinal: Loyola-Chicago vs. Michigan 03/31/2018

TBS TV Broadcast

Hello and welcome to another edition of ‘Live Blogging on Shish on College Basketball’. Tonight it is the NCAA National Semifinals. In the first game it is the Cinderella Story of this tournament the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers taking the battle tested Michigan Wolverines. Ramblers are the champions of the South Region as a #11 seed. While the Wolverines are the champions of the West Region, as #3 seed , in that region.

This College Basketball Fan knew Loyola was going to be a team that was capable of winning a game or two in the tournament, when they went into Gainesville to defeat Florida back in December. But this run to San Antonio is improbable. The Ramblers made it to the National Semifinals with wins against Miami (FL), Tennesseee, Nevada, and Kansas St.

Statistically the Ramblers are led by Clayton Custer in scoring and assists. Donte Ingram leads Loyola in rebounding.

Meanwhile the Wolverines, are a battle-tested tournament team. Winners of the last two Big Ten Tournaments, a Sweet 16 last year. And a Final Four team this year. They got to the National Semifinals with wins over Montana, Houston, Texas A&M, and Florida St.

​But in tonight’s game, they need their talented team to make this a lop-sided game, because they shoot pitifully from the free throw line.

Statistically the Wolverines are led by Mo Wagner in scoring and rebounding. Zavier Simpson leads Michigan in assists.

It is the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers and Michigan Wolverines. The winner advances to the 2018 National Championship. This game will start shortly.

Game Location: The Alamodome, San Antonio, TX

Possible Starting Lineups:
#11 Loyola University Chicago Ramblers:
G: C. Custer
G: B. Richardson
​G: M. Townes
​F:D. Ingram
C: C. Krutwig

#3: Michigan Wolverines:
​G: C. Matthews
G: M. Abdur-Rahkman
​G: Z. Simpson
F: I. Livers
F: M. Wagner

​
Loyola is in Maroon. And Michigan is in Maize.

1st Half:
20:00: Michigan wins the tipoff. Loyola will have the Possession Arrow, in their favor. 
18:50: Matthews with a 3-point FG. LUC 0, MICH 3
18:30: Krutwig with a FG. LUC 2, MICH 3
17:58: Townes with a jump shot. LUC 4, MICH 3
16:09: Wagner with a 3-point FG. LUC 4, MICH 6
15:43: T.V. Timeout #1: LUC 4, MICH 6

14:25: Wagner with a layup. LUC 4, MICH 8
13:37: Matthews with a FG. LUC 4, MICH 10
12:40: Teske with a tipin. LUC 4, MICH 12
12:38: Ramblers Timeout #1: LUC 4, MICH 12
​12:26: Jackson makes both free throws. LUC 6, MICH 12
11:56: T.V. Timeout #2: LUC 6, MICH 12
​​
10:13: Jackson with a layup. LUC 8, MICH 12
9:19: OFFICIAL REVIEW: Officials determining whether Townes makes a jump shot. 
9:19: Townes makes a jump shot. LUC 10, MICH 12
8:55: Wagner with a rebound and a layup. LUC 10, MICH 14
8:28: Poole makes 1 of 2 free throws. LUC 10, MICH 15
8:14: Jackson makes both free throws. LUC 12, MICH 15
7:53: T.V. Timeout #3: LUC 12, MICH 15
​
7;53; Satterwhite makes 1 of 2 free throws. LUC 13, MICH 15
6:47: Krutwig ties the game with a layup. LUC 15, MICH 15
5:56: Krutwig makes both free throws. LUC 17, MICH 15
5:25: Townes with a layup. LUC 19, MICH 15
4:55: Wagner with a layup. LUC 19, MICH 17
4:27: Jackson gets his own rebound and the layup. LUC 21, MICH 17
4:05: Wagner with a FG. LUC 21, MICH 19
3:40: T.V. Timeout #4: LUC 21, MICH 19
​
3:40: Custer makes both free throws. LUC 23, MICH 19
3:02; Loyola is in the Bonus. 
2:47: Krutwig draws a goaltend. LUC 25, MICH 19
2:47: Wolverines Timeout #1: LUC 25, MICH 19
1:26: Matthews makes a layup and a foul. LUC 25, MICH 22
:35: Krutwig with a FG. LUC 27, MICH 22
​:17.8:Both teams are in the Bonus.
:17.8: Wagner misses a free throw. 
:00: Ingram makes a jump shot at the buzzer. LUC 29, MICH 22
:00: The end of the 1st Half. Loyola will inbound the ball to start the 2nd Half.

Halftime:
LUC 29, MICH 22

Halftime Leaders:
Scoring; Wagner (MICH) 11 points
Rebounding: Wagner (MICH) 10 rebounds
Assists: 3 players with an assist

Halftime Thoughts:
The Ramblers are getting to the foul line. Ramblers are 9/10, while the Wolverines are 2/5 from the free throw line. 

2nd Half:
20:00: Loyola will inbound the ball to start the 2nd Half. Michigan will have the Possession Arrow, in their favor.
​19:40: Krutwig with a fade-away and a foul. Krutwig makes a free throw. LUC 32, MICH 22
19:18: Wagner with a jam. LUC 32, MICH 24
17:45: Robinson with a 3-point FG. LUC 32, MICH 27
17:17: Richardson with a FG. LUC 34, MICH 27
16:46: Abdur-Rahkman with a layup. LUC 34, MICH 29
16:31: Custer with a layup. LUC 36, MICH 29
15:56: T.V. Timeout #1: LUC 36, MICH 29
​
15:20: Matthews with a layup. LUC 36, MICH 31
15:11: Custer with a 3-point FG. LUC 39, MICH 31
14:02: Custer with a jump shot. LUC 41, MICH 31
13:33; Matthews with a jump shot. LUC 41, MICH 33
12:35; Matthews makes 1 of 2 free throws. LUC 41, MICH 34
12:12: Jackson with a layup. LUC 43, MICH 34
11;43: Simmons with a 3-point FG. LUC 43, MICH 37
11:25: T.V. Timeout #2: LUC 43, MICH 37
​
11:25: Custer makes both free throws. LUC 45, MICH 37
11:10: Poole makes a FG. LUC 45, MICH 39
10:18: Robinson makes a 3-point FG. LUC 45, MICH 42
10:06: Ramblers Timeout #2: LUC 45, MICH 42
​
9:19; Krutwig with a shot and a foul. Krutwig misses the free throw. LUC 47, MICH 42
7:35: Poole with a layup. LUC 47, MICH 44
7:31: T.V. Timeout #3: LUC 47, MICH 44
​
7:31: Townes left the game with possible cramps. 
6:46: Wagner with a 3-point FG. LUC 47, MICH 47
6:20: Poole makes both free throws. LUC 47, MICH 49
5:48: Matthews with a layup. LUC 47, MICH 51
​
4:59: Wagner with a rebound, the basket, and the foul. Wagner makes a free throw. LUC 47, MICH 54
4:43: Krutwig with a hook shot. LUC 49, MICH 54
3:45; Wagner with a layup. LUC 49, MICH 56
3:20: Richardson with a jump shot. LUC 51, MICH 56
2:58: Wagner with a 3-point FG. LUC 51, MICH 59
2:15; Abdur-Rahkman makes a jump shot. LUC 51, MICH 61
1:46: Custer with a FG. LUC 53, MICH 61
1:39: T.V. Timeout #4: LUC 53, MICH 61
​
1:33: Matthews with an exclamation point. LUC 53, MICH 63
1:10: Custer with a layup. LUC 55, MICH 63
1:02: Abdur-Rahkman makes both free throws. LUC 55, MICH 65
:49.6: Krutwig makes a jump shot. LUC 57, MICH 65
:49.6: Abdur-Rahkman makes 1 of 2 free throws. LUC 57, MICH 66
:27.9: Robinson makes both free throws. LUC 57, MICH 68
:13.1; Robinson makes 1 of 2 free throws. LUC 57, MICH 69
:13.1: Michigan is in the Double Bonus.
:00: The game is over.

Final:
LUC 57, MICH 69
Michigan advances to the National Championship Game. They will play the winner of Kansas/Villanova.

Final Leaders:
Scoring: Wagner (MICH) 24 points
Rebounding: Wagner (MICH) 14 rebounds
Assists: Simpson (MICH) 3 assists

Final Thoughts:
Loyola showed some toughness, but their 2nd Half turnovers and Mo Wagner and Wolverines taking over the last 13-1/2 minutes of the game, proved that the clock struck Midnight for the Ramblers. For the Wolverines, they need better guard play from Simpson and Abdur-Rahkman on Monday. 

Coming up next, Kansas Jayhawks and Villanova Wildcats. 

This is Paul Shishkoff, Jr. This has been 'Live Blogging on Shish on College Basketball'. Thanks for visting this page.