NCAA Basketball: Most overrated/underrated teams from 2018 AP preseason top 25
By Brian Rauf
Underrated: Loyola-Chicago Ramblers
The fact that Loyola is not ranked is absolutely stunning to me.
The Ramblers – who were essentially No. 26 in the poll – have four of their top seven scorers back from a team that made the Final Four a year ago, including reigning Missouri Valley Player of the Year Clayton Custer.
Head coach Porter Moser’s team showed a distinct identity during that run through the NCAA Tournament. They play smart, efficient basketball with an extremely high level of execution on the offensive end to go along with stifling defense. That defense never allowed an opponent to score 70 points during the last month and a half of the season and they were 6-2 in games decided by four points or less, showing their ability to execute late in close games.
Next. Predicting conference champs for 2018-19. dark
Given the level we saw this core reach in March, it’s hard for me to imagine them not at that same stature again in 2018-19. Non-conference tests against Nevada and Maryland will give them opportunities to re-earn some credibility in the eyes of pollsters but this group has earned the right to be ranked.
Expect them to spend a majority of the season with a number next to their name.