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NCAA Basketball: Is Loyola-Chicago being overvalued for 2018-19?

By Tristan Freeman

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Loyola Ramblers fans cheer before the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal against the Michigan Wolverines at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Loyola Ramblers fans cheer before the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal against the Michigan Wolverines at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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After making the Final Four last season, many are still high on Loyola-Chicago for 2018-19. But are the Ramblers even the best team in the Missouri Valley?

The Loyola-Chicago Ramblers are still part of the NCAA Basketball conversation, after beating Miami, Tennessee, Nevada and Kansas State on their way to the Final Four of this past season.

They also have been part of a furious debate among many basketball writers and analysts. There have been many early preseason top-25 lists, with the Ramblers all over the place.

The Big Lead’s Jason McIntyre raised eyebrows having Loyola-Chicago ranked No. 5 on his list, while our latest one had them outside of the top-25. Many more have them scattered somewhere in between.

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So why the huge gap? A huge part of it is recency bias, with the glow of the Final Four run still on the Ramblers. They also benefit from bringing back three key players, including reigning Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year Clayton Custer. Head Coach Porter Moser not going anywhere either helps as well.

Loyola-Chicago also loses three key players as well, including double-digit scorers Donte Ingram and Aundre Jackson. This program isn’t on the level to simply replace that kind of proven talent, so a dip has to be expected.

Their Final Four should also get a closer look at. The four wins were impressive, but don’t forget that they needed three game-winners to advance. Had they not made any of those shots, not a single writer would even consider having them in a preseason top-25 list.

And are we sure that Loyola-Chicago is even the favorite to win the Missouri Valley next season? Their opponents in the conference tournament this past season was Illinois State, who returns just about their entire roster. That includes three different guys who averaged over 15 ppg. They have the ability to push the Ramblers all next season and could very well overthrow them in 2019.

Next: 10 Teams who can win their first national title in 2019

Don’t get me wrong, Loyola-Chicago will still be a very good team for 2018-19. I just question whether the hype is based on the past, or about what they bring for next season based on the roster. But I also didn’t expect them to make a Final Four run in 2018 either, so I very well could be wrong again.