Loyola-Chicago basketball is Final Four bound! Despite being a No. 11 seed, the Ramblers have overcome all the odds to reach the final weekend.
The slipper fits! For yet another season, a Cinderella has risen in college basketball. This time, it has been the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers coming up with the miraculous run. One of the best mid-majors in the country throughout the season, it is wonderful to see the team reach the final weekend of the NCAA Tournament. Like Gonzaga last year and many others in the seasons prior, this run at glory is a testament to what makes college basketball.
Any program can win a National Championship, regardless of size, recruiting classes, or conference affiliation. With a berth in the Final Four now in hand, Loyola-Chicago is exemplifying that nature of the sport. What makes it all the more special is that the team is just hitting their stride of play in the Big Dance.
In the first three rounds, Loyola-Chicago won their matchups by a combined four points. Against Kansas State in the Elite Eight, though, the Ramblers got off to a hot start and never let up. They thrived on both ends of the floor, hitting over 60% of their shots while holding the Wildcats to less than 40%. This was their best all-around game of the tournament so far and the dominant win sets them up well for next weekend.
The Ramblers’ star player on the night was Ben Richardson. The senior, who entered the game averaging just 6.4 points per game, erupted. He finished the game with 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Richardson was the catalyst on offense all night long behind his playmaking abilities and red-hot 6-for-7 shooting from 3-point range. Due to the nature of this being a relatively low-scoring game, only two other Loyola-Chicago players reached double-figures in scoring: Marques Townes (13 points) and Donte Ingram (12 points).
Kansas State struggled to find scoring once again without Dean Wade. Xavier Sneed was the best scorer on the night with 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting but there was not much help. Kamau Stokes (13 points) and Barry Brown (14 points) were the next men up but combined to shoot just 10-for-28 from the floor. Against the tough defense of Loyola-Chicago, Kansas State was unable to consistently put the ball through the hoop.
Moving forward, all the hype should be on Loyola-Chicago. This has truly been a magical run and there is no reason that it has to stop now. With the way that the NCAA Tournament has gone so far this year, now is not the time to count our any upsets. The Ramblers have outperformed expectations at every step of the way over the past couple of weeks. Even if they are a massive underdog in their next game or two, who is to say that they should ever be counted out?
In the Final Four, Loyola-Chicago will face off against the winner of Michigan-Florida State. Despite the excellent play of the Ramblers throughout the tournament, they will likely be underdogs once again in that matchup. Behind veteran leadership and a quality coach, the team could be poised for another upset.
Loyola-Chicago has stolen the heart of America during the last couple of weeks. Now in the Final Four, this run is no longer a miracle. The Ramblers did not have an easy road to the last weekend as they have been tested in just about every game. In every one, though, they have prevailed. Will they do it again next weekend?