2018 Loyola Chicago Ramblers
- Seed: No. 11
- Tournament Run: Final Four
- Final Ranking: No. 7
Never has the tournament given us a more iconic off-the-court star than "Sister Jean" (Jean Dolores Schmidt) the team chaplain for Loyola-Chicago who rose to fame as the symbol of the Ramblers' improbable run to the 2018 Final Four. That's why America fell in love with Loyola-Chicago and why Sister Jean is still one of the most beloved figures in the game at the age of 104.
As a No. 11 seed in the South region, the Ramblers made waves by taking down No. 6 seed (No. 22 ranked) Miami (FL) in the first round of the tournament 64-62. Then, they stunned No. 3 seed (No. 13 ranked) Tennessee 63-62 in the second round on a late buzzer-beater.
Life in the Sweet 16 wasn't any more comfortable for the Ramblers. A 69-68 win over No. 7 seed Nevada kept their run alive in dramatic fashion.
In the Elite 8, they made light work of No. 9 seed Kansas St. 78-62 to reach the Final Four. However, the magical March of Loyola-Chicago would come to an end with a 69-57 loss to Michigan in the National Semifinals. Still, the Ramblers and Sister Jean would forever be adored by college basketball fans for the unforgettable memories they gave us during their run to the game's biggest stage.
Who will be this year's Cinderella? Which small school will come from nowhere to topple one of the game's giants and make us believe in the impossible again?
The fact is, we just don't know that that's why March Madness is unlike any other sporting event in the world. So buckle up again friends because, in less than two weeks, another unheralded team might just take us on a thrill ride and steal our hearts all over again.