Streaking Loyola to face Kansas State’s tough defense

ATLANTA (AP) - No. 11 seed Loyola-Chicago (31-5) vs. No. 9 seed Kansas State (25-11)

Final, South Regional, Atlanta, Saturday, approximately 6:09 p.m.

BOTTOM LINE: Loyola boasts the nation’s longest active winning streak, 13 games. The Ramblers have extended the streak in the NCAA Tournament by excelling in the clutch, winning its four NCAA Tournament games by a combined four points, including Thursday night’s 69-68 win over Nevada. Kansas State is winning with defense and held Kentucky to a season low for points in Thursday night’s 61-58 win. Kentucky was the seventh straight opponent held under 59 points by the Wildcats.

HIGH SCHOOL BUDDIES: Kansas State senior Mason Schoen was a teammate of Loyola’s Clayton Custer at Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland, Park, Kansas. Custer also played on the same AAU team with Kansas State junior Amaad Wainwright.

HOT SHOOTING: Loyola shot 75 percent from the field in the second half against Nevada, making 18 of 24 shots.

LONG TIME COMING: The Ramblers’ lone Final Four appearance came when they won the championship in 1963. Kansas State’s most recent of four Final Four appearances came in 1964. The Wildcats are in their first regional final since 2010, when they lost to Butler.

QUOTABLE: “I don’t like what is going on in our business, to be honest. You know … you can’t do anything about it. If it is that bad and some of the stuff comes out, it needs to be changed, and I hope it does get changed. But all I can worry about is myself and making sure that I do things the right way and help them develop, and I know when the paper comes to your door or the news comes on, my kids don’t have to worry that I did something I’m not supposed to.” - Kansas State coach Bruce Weber on scandals in college basketball.

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