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Montana Basketball: Can the Grizzlies will be the next Loyola-Chicago?

By Tristan Freeman

LAWRENCE, KS - DECEMBER 19: Head coach Travis DeCuire of the Montana Grizzlies reacts from the bench during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse on December 19, 2015 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - DECEMBER 19: Head coach Travis DeCuire of the Montana Grizzlies reacts from the bench during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse on December 19, 2015 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Loyola-Chicago is representing all mid-majors in the Final Four this weekend. Could the Montana Grizzlies follow the same path next season?

The Ramblers of Loyola-Chicago have done what few true mid-majors have accomplished in this modern era of basketball – arrive at the Final Four. They don’t have a guy that scores more than 13 ppg, but just plays strong defense and shares the ball better than most teams. Making this the perfect role model for the nearly 200 teams just like them.

There was an inkling that this team would be good. After losing just one player from last year’s team, the veteran-led Ramblers was able to win the Missouri Valley regular season and conference tournament to get their ticket for March Madness.

Now the question is “whose the next Loyola-Chicago?”. Which mid-major is most likely to be a double-digit seed next season and can make a deep run of their own? Assuming everyone goes well, one team immediately comes to mind.

After finishing the last season with a 16-16 overall record, Montana had a breakout 2017-18 season. The team finished with a 26-8 overall record and went 16-2 in a very competitive Big Sky Conference. After getting the automatic bid, the Grizzlies fell to current Final Four participant Michigan 61-47.

What makes this team my pick for “most likely to be the next Loyola-Chicago” is that barring unexpected departures, Montana will return all but one player on the team. The top three scorers will become seniors, including Ahmaad Rorie and Michael Oguine, who combined this year for 33 ppg, 9.4 rpg, and 5.7 apg.

Led by a future high-major coach in Travis DeCuire, the Grizzlies have the offensive firepower combined with a solid defense to make some serious noise next season. They also have a scholarship available that would be perfect for a grad transfer big to add even more depth in the paint.

Next: Preview of the 3X3U National Championship

What Loyola-Chicago is doing is special and is difficult to replicate in any season. But they are the third 11-seed this decade alone to make a Final Four run, all being mid-majors. Why can’t Montana make it No. 4? They certainly have the coach and the players to do it.

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