Loyola-Chicago Basketball: Why the Ramblers will upset Miami

Loyola-Chicago basketball swept the MVC championships. Now, the Ramblers will earn national attention with an opening round win over Miami.

The 6-11 matchups are often fascinating and Loyola-Chicago vs. Miami fits that mold. Both teams are hot entering the tournament. Loyola has won ten straight games while Miami has won four of its last five. Miami has faced a more rigorous schedule but Loyola has proven it can defeat good teams.

The Ramblers marquee win this season is a road victory over Florida. They have shown that they are undaunted in tough environments and they are capable of defeating more athletic opponents. The Ramblers have no problem playing the underdog role and can definitely pull the upset.

But how could they do this?

Glad you asked! Miami is clearly the more athletic team and will likely try to push the pace against Loyola-Chicago. However, it is easier to slow a game down than to speed one up, so I like the Ramblers’ chances of controlling the tempo. The Ramblers can trap the Hurricanes into a halfcourt-oriented game and negate the ‘Canes’ superior athleticism.

Additionally, the Ramblers are impressive from beyond the arc (39.8%) and will benefit from open looks. While Miami plays solid defense, the ‘Canes are susceptible to lapses in defending the perimeter. Guards Clayton Custer (40.4%), Donte Ingram (39.9%), and Ben Richardson (39.7%) will punish any slow rotations from Miami.

Loyola-Chicago will also have opportunities to extend possessions as the ‘Canes are vulnerable on the defensive glass. The Ramblers will be able to slow the pace even further by grabbing offensive rebounds. The rebounding battle is crucial to the Ramblers’ upset bid, especially when they are on offense.

Both teams take good care of the ball and limit their turnovers. Though Miami avoids turnovers, the Ramblers’ defense will still provide a sturdy test. Loyola is one of the stingiest defenses in the country as they rank fifth in the country in scoring defense and 24th in defensive efficiency. The Ramblers also defend without fouling, as they committed the second-fewest fouls per game in the country this season.

Next: Best bets to win the title

Factor it all in and I love the Ramblers to pull off this upset. Chicago’s best college basketball team has the makeup to be this tournament’s Cinderella. To conclude, I’ll borrow a lyric from The Allman Brothers Band, “I was born a Ramblin’ Man.”

Game info: Thursday 3/15, 3:10pm ET, truTV, in Dallas, TX