What's Up In The Missouri Valley: March 2018

The Morning Dish – Thursday, March 22, 2018--Hoopville

Side Dishes:
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Missouri State announced Dana Ford as its new coach Wednesday. Just 33 years old-one of the youngest coaches in NCAA Division I-Ford was most recently the head coach at Tennessee State the past four years, compiling a 57-65 record. His teams there were known for playing well against their toughest competition, winning at Middle Tennessee State, taking North Carolina State and Texas to the wire and even pushing Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Ford also played in the Missouri Valley Conference at Illinois State and was an assistant at Illinois State and Wichita State.
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Tonight’s Menu:

The NCAA Tournament fires back up again with regional semifinals in the South and West. First up in the South is No. 11 Loyola Chicago vs. 7 seed Nevada (7:07 p.m. Eastern, CBS). This one will come down to whether the Ramblers’ excellent team defense can slow down the Wolf Pack’s potent offensive attack. This is a sport that favors offense now, so the advantage is with Nevada, though the physicality in the NCAA Tournament could be an equalizer.

The Morning Dish – Friday, March 23, 2018--Hoopville

As little order as there has been in college basketball this year, an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight that so far includes a 3 seed, two 9 seeds and an 11 seems strangely appropriate.

A bizarre season and bizarre NCAA tourney became only moreso Thursday, as lower seeds won three of four regional final games. Such a down-is-up, left-is-right tourney has it been that an 11 seed winning Thursday night was barely an upset at all compared to the other happenings.

The 11 seed moving on is Loyola Chicago, which edged No. 7 Nevada 69-68 to continue an incredible postseason run. A team that would not have been in the tourney if not for winning the Missouri Valley Conference final, the Ramblers’ first NCAA Tournament trip in 33 years now has won three tourney games by a combined four points, and the school is suddenly just three wins away from duplicating its 1963 feat when it won the national championship.

Loyola once again overcame a slow start by locking down defensively and playing efficiently on offense. In particular, the Ramblers unleashed one of the most beautiful 10-minute stretches of basketball that perhaps has ever been played in the NCAA Tournament to start the second half.

Leading 28-24 at the break, Loyola hit 13 consecutive shots to start the second half, not missing in the first 10:52 out of halftime. Ten of the 13 shots were layups, as shorter Loyola repeatedly beat Nevada with cuts, crafty drives and reverse layups. (It should be pointed out, the Wolf Pack’s defense in this stretch also wasn’t pretty)

It was reminiscent for a time of Villanova’s “perfect game” against Georgetown in the 1985 NCAA final. Even so, Nevada was not done, fighting back admirably to tie the score at 59-59 with 4:06 left. The Ramblers had every answer, though, and Marques Townes delivered the dagger with a three-pointer at the end of the shot clock with 6.2 seconds left for a four-point lead, after the Wolf Pack curiously decided to trust their defense and did not foul.

Loyola’s style of play has had any number of modern buzzwords attached to it about ‘spacing’ and ‘NBA concepts’ and such. The Ramblers aren’t doing anything that hasn’t been done in basketball for over 80 years-spacing, cutting, passing the ball and unselfishness are as fundamental parts of the game as they come (read almost anything written about offense by John Wooden). When Loyola gets cranking, though, it’s a picture of beauty.
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Side Dishes:
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Evansville announced on Thursday that it has come to terms with Walter McCarty. An Evansville, Ind., native, McCarty is best known by college hoops fans as a valuable member of Kentucky’s 1996 national championship team, and most recently he has been an assistant for the Boston Celtics with Brad Stevens.

While one Missouri Valley Conference school hired a coach, another has an opening again after Niko Medved left Drake after one year to go to Colorado State, where he was formerly an assistant for six years before taking his first head coaching job at Furman. Acknowledging that coaches working paying jobs have the right to do what is best for their families and that head coaches jumping to better jobs doesn’t happen nearly as much as many think, we’re seeing a few more instances of coaches going one-and-done at schools the last couple years, and it’s not a good trend.

NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Recap/Preview (and other News and Notes) – Friday, March 23rd--Hoops HD

They will play the Loyola Ramblers – they overcame an early 12-point deficit and had a 12-point lead themselves in the 2nd half where they hit their first 12 shots to start the 2nd half. Even after the Wolf Pack made their customary 2nd half comeback, Marques Townes hit a dagger 3 to give Loyola a 2-possession advantage with 10 seconds to play. Nevada hit a 3 with 5 seconds left on the clock, but since they still had fouls to give, they were not able to foul Loyola to the point where they would have to shoot a 1-and-1 and the clock ran out on their season. Loyola has now won 3 games by a grand total of 4 points, yet they find themselves on the doorstep of their first Final Four since their championship season in 1963.
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After the Dan Hurley hire became official at UConn yesterday, there were 2 other notable vacancies that were filled – Walter McCarty will take over at Evansville and Niko Medved will become the new head coach at Colorado State as well. But the major domino that will potentially fall this weekend will be when Chris Mack meets with the Louisville staff to discuss their head coach vacancy.

3x3U Tournament--Hoops HD

Missouri Valley
Donte Thomas, Bradley
Tevonn Walker, Valparaiso
Brenton Scott, Indiana State
Bennett Koch, Northern Iowa

Are You Waking Up To the Valley Yet?--Valley Hoops Insider

Bradley’s Donte Thomas chosen for 3 on 3 event--Peoria Jounal Star
Bradley extends Wardle through 2022-23 season--Peoria Jounal Star
Donte Thomas Selected to Play in Inaugural 3X3U National Championship--bradleybraves.com
Brian Wardle Receives Contract Extension Through 2023--bradleybraves.com

Scout basketball awards--Bradley Scout

Evansville hires Celtics assistant Walter McCarty as head coach--Fansided
‘McCarty Party’ Has Started--Valley Hoops Insider
Evansville hires Walter McCarty as men’s basketball coach--Peoria Jounal Star
Editorial: Welcome, Walter. Now comes the hard part--Evansville Courier & Press
University of Evansville hires Boston Celtics Walter McCarty as men's basketball coach--Evansville Courier & Press
Insider: New UE basketball coach Walter McCarty isn't done selling himself--Evansville Courier & Press
Walter McCarty lays out vision for new era of Evansville basketball--Evansville Courier & Press
Three UE players look to return to team under new coach Walter McCarty--Evansville Courier & Press
Walter McCarty gives Evansville basketball a fresh style — literally--Evansville Courier & Press
New season-ticket sales are soaring for Evansville basketball--Evansville Courier & Press
UE agrees to terms with Walter McCarty to become Head Men’s Basketball Coach--gopurpleaces.com
Walter McCarty introduced as Purple Aces head men’s basketball coach--gopurpleaces.com
ACES INSIDER-Purple Aces Nation welcomes new men's basketball coach Walter McCarty in style--gopurpleaces.com
ACES INSIDER - Purple Aces Nation getting on board with McCarty--gopurpleaces.com
ACES INSIDER - Profiles in Purple Courage--gopurpleaces.com

Jay Bilas bashes mid-majors and Illinois State’s Dan Muller fights back--Fansided
Coaches recall former ISU player Upshaw's character, compassion--The Pantagraph
Big week continues for former, current ISU assistants--The Pantagraph
Autopsy: Ex- ISU player Upshaw had 'sudden cardiac death'--The Pantagraph
Pistons honor ex-Redbird Upshaw with honorary call-up--The Pantagraph
Muller defends MVC and mid-majors among frustration with NCAA selection committee--Vidette Online
Marra: March Madness satisfying yet again--Vidette Online
ISU hoops' alum Upshaw dies after court collapse--Vidette Online
"Penny" Collins named Tennessee State's next head coach--Vidette Online
BU's Wardle receives contract extension through 2023--Vidette Online
How an ex-high school social studies teacher helped put Michigan in the Final Four--CBS Sports
Arrangements Made for Former Redbird Zeke Upshaw--goredbirds.com

Five ISU women's players won't return--The Pantagraph

TODD AARON GOLDEN: Loyola's success can happen at ISU ... if administration is committed to thinking big--Terre Haute Tribune Star

New ISU women's coach Hall ready to hit recruiting trail no matter where it leads her--Terre Haute Tribune Star
Vicki Hall Named Head Women’s Basketball Coach--The Statesman
Vicki Hall Named Head Women’s Basketball Coach--gosycamores.com

March Madness: Numbers and notes--Hoopville

Perception.
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Nevada vs. Loyola Chicago. Offense vs. defense with added sidebars. Nevada coach Eric Musselman is so intense like his dad Bill, but enjoying every moment of this wonderous ride. Loyola coach Porter Moser spent several years learning the trade as an assistant to the late Rick Majerus at Saint Louis. And of course Sister Jean. Ninety eight years ‘young’. She was around in ‘63 when the Ramblers won it all under George Ireland. Today, she leads the team in prayer, with a few tidbits from the scouting report added. Just a great story and Sister Jean, a great person and inspiration to us all.

The Morning Dish – Saturday, March 24, 2018--Hoopville

Tonight’s Menu

The first two teams in the Final Four will be determined in action this evening.

First up is the South regional final in Atlanta, where Loyola-Chicago takes on Kansas State (6:09 p.m.)

The Morning Dish – Sunday, March 25, 2018--Hoopville
2018 NCAA Tournament second week review: Final Four has a distinct retro feel to it--Hoopville

Understanding that tournament performance in itself does not justify NCAA Tournament selection or seeds, we’ve tried to stay away from some of the suggestions of what Loyola’s tournament run proves. Besides, the Ramblers could’ve easily been knocked out in the first round by Miami (Fla.) if not for Donte Ingram’s buzzer-beater, or in the second round by Tennessee if not for Clayton Custer’s shooter’s roll, or in the third round if Marques Townes doesn’t drill a three at the end of the shot clock in the final seconds against Nevada.

That doesn’t mean there can’t be or aren’t more general takeaways. Chief among them has to be that the NCAA Selection Committee’s recent awakening to the idea that a team’s quantity of top-level wins as the chief measure of tournament worthiness-regardless of number of opportunities in such games-is a crock.

Loyola had one Quadrant 1 win this year in two opportunities. That didn’t mean for a second that the Ramblers weren’t capable of winning a lot more if they’d had more opportunities for such games. Loyola did win a bunch of Quadrant 3 games (15-2 record in them), and its performance in March suggests strongly what we’ve asserted: that dominance over teams in the 100-200 range nationally deserves more respect than it receives in the selection criteria. Also, perhaps it should be acknowledged that this is one the RPI got right: the Ramblers were No. 22 in the final regular season RPI, nearly 20 spots higher than any other major computer ranking.

The bigger lesson from Loyola’s play, though, and the play of teams like the Ramblers, should be taken from the closeness of games. Consistently, time and again, teams like Loyola, Bucknell, Buffalo, College of Charleston, Marshall, UNC Greensboro and Stephen F. Austin (all this year) show that quality teams from non-spotlight leagues that win a lot of games in the regular season are fully capable of playing with top teams in the postseason. The No. 1 task of the Selection Committee every year, more than any other, should be trying to get a read on these teams, and figuring out why teams that are considered to have no shot at at-large bids are still capable of playing the top teams in the country right down to the wire.

A number of these teams would be more than capable of winning a game or two as at-large picks, and maybe more. An ancient excuse about such teams is “they’re not national title contenders anyway,” yet Loyola’s run has proven clearly that is not true. How many other teams like the Ramblers capable of a run at or to the Final Four have been sidelined in recent years by the committee’s clear cold shoulder at them? Middle Tennessee State this year? Illinois State last year? Valparaiso two years ago? It’s time to demand that the committee is doing more to evaluate these teams’ quality as fairly and honestly as possible.

Rushed Reactions: #11 Loyola-Chicago 69, #7 Nevada 68--Rush The Court
Rushed Reactions: #11 Loyola-Chicago 78, #9 Kansas State 62--Rush The Court
Final Four Fact Sheet: Loyola-Chicago Ramblers--Rush The Court
Sweet 16 Preview: Ranking eight games--College Basketball Talk

4. No. 7 NEVADA vs. No. 11 LOYOLA-CHICAGO, Thursday 7:07 p.m.

Line: Nevada -1.5
O/U: 143.5
Projected score: Nevada 72.5, Loyola-Chicago 71

I think the worst thing that could have happened to Loyola-Chicago was for Nevada to win the way they won the last two games. It basically came down to Eric Musselman having guys on his roster that could makes play and didn’t care what the scoreboard said or the pressure of the moment. And now those dudes are confident.

Loyola is a good, well-coached basketball team. They execute offensively, they shoot the leather off the ball and they clearly have God on their side with Sister Jean. But I would not want to play this Nevada team with the Martin twins, Jordan Caroline and Kendell Stephens in this kind of a rhythm.

PICKS: Give me the Wolf Pack. They were able to make shots on both Texas and Cincinnati, who were two of the very best defensive teams in the country this season. Playing against Loyola, who is a good defensive team in their own right, will feel like every shot is wide-open as a result. I’d lean the under here, but I probably will stay away myself.

16-21. CLAYTON CUSTER, CAMERON KRUTWIG, MARQUES TOWNES, DONTE INGRAM, BEN RICHARDSON and AUNDRE JACKSON, Loyola-Chicago: This might seem like a shot at Loyola-Chicago, but it really isn’t. There’s a reason these guys are playing in the Missouri Valley instead of a bigger league, and with the exception of maybe Clayton Custer, I can’t see them cracking the starting lineup for any of the teams left in the Final Four.

But this Loyola team is not about the individual talents of the players on this roster. That’s not what makes them so good and so fun to watch. The reason they are here in the Final Four is that Porter Moser has himself a group of guys that compliment each other perfectly. They execute offensively and they are connected defensively. They are all the clichés of what a coach wants in a player, and anyone that truly understands how basketball is supposed to be played can appreciate watching this group do what they do best.

Loyola-Chicago licenses Sister Jean’s name, image for t-shirts, bobbleheads--College Basketball Talk
Why Villanova, Kansas, Michigan and Loyola-Chicago will (or won’t) win a national title--College Basketball Talk

LOYOLA-CHICAGO
WHY THEY WILL WIN: It’s destiny

Someone needs to investigate Loyola-Chicago for accepting impermissible benefits, because I think that Sister Jean has some kind of deal with a higher power. They’ve won on three buzzer-beaters. Three of the four teams they’ve faced had a star player dealing with a major injury. Against Tennessee, the game-winning shot bounced off the rim and/or backboard a half-dozen times.

There is something going on here, and I’m not sure that it’s done yet.
WHY THEY WON’T WIN: The talent gap is just too big

With all due respect to the teams that Loyola-Chicago has beaten thus far in the tournament, but they are not the most talented. Miami was missing their best player. Tennessee wins more on defense and effort than by being the most talented team on the floor. (I had Loyola in the Sweet 16, NBD.) Nevada was probably the most talented team they’ve played, but they play iso-ball. Kansas State was missing their best player.

And now, the Ramblers have to face-off with a Michigan team that has a pro in the middle, one of the best defenses in the sport and a masterful tactician on the sideline. Win that, and they get a No. 1 seed. I’m not saying they can’t win, but this is the first time where they are clearly the inferior team.

2018 Final Four: The seven story lines you need to know this weekend--College Basketball Talk

1. WILL THE NATIONAL CHAMPION BE A ‘CLEAN’ PROGRAM?
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It’s been such a relief talking about 16-seeds beating 1-seeds and Sister Jean’s appearance in the Final Four, I cannot even tell you, and if Karma is a thing, it probably played a role in the likes of Arizona, Auburn, USC, Louisville and every other program that was mixed up in the FBI’s investigation having their season end earlier that expected.

But that leads me to the next question: Are we sure that all of the teams in the Final Four are clean?

I’ll never say never — in this day and age, I’m not going to vouch for anyone, not in this climate — but I would be fairly surprised if shoe companies were funneling players to Loyola-Chicago.
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3. WHEN DOES CINDERELLA’S DANCE END?

Loyola-Chicago is just the fourth No. 11-seed to reach the Final Four, following in the footsteps of LSU in 1986, George Mason in 2006 and VCU in 2011. None of those teams won a game in the Final Four. In fact, no team seeded lower than a No. 8-seed has ever won a game in the Final Four. Villanova won two in 1985, when they became the lowest-seed to win the national title, which UConn has been the beneficiary of the other two No. 8-seeds to win a game: Butler in 2011 and Kentucky in 2014.

The Ramblers have more than proven themselves at this point, and if they can find a way to beat a Michigan team that probably should have lost to No. 6-seed Houston in the second round, they’ll do something that’s never been done in the history of the sport.

This run still has some legs left in it.

Get to know each Final Four team
No. 11 Loyola-Chicago
Coach: Porter Moser
Overall record: 32-5
Scoring leader: Clayton Custer (13.2 ppg.)
Rebounding leader: Donte Ingram (6.3 rpg.)
Assists leader: Clayton Custer (4.2 apg.)
Final Four appearances: Two (1963, 2018)
National championships: One (1963)
Why they'll win it

For Sister Jean's sake, Loyola has that team-of-destiny feel because of a selfless style on both sides of the ball. Point guard Clayton Custer leads a precise offense where a new guy steps up in each round. The defense has limited its last four tournament opponents to 63.5 points per game. This isn't Cinderella. This is a team capable of winning the whole thing.
Why they won't

The Ramblers are up against a team that plays a similar style, and Michigan brings inside-out post players. Loyola is shooting 70.6 percent from the free-throw line, which is inflated by a 15-of-18 performance against Kansas State. The Ramblers will have to be even better than they were in the first two weekends. That's asking a lot.
X-factor

Cameron Krutwig is an excellent passer, and he's been effective on defense throughout the tournament so far. The 6-9 center will have to be better against even better post players in San Antonio.
Fun fact

Six Loyola players have scored in double figures in the tournament, and all five starters average between 8.2 and 11.5 points per game. Aundre Jackson, who comes off the bench, is the team's leading tournament scorer at 12.3 per game.

Final Four 2018: Ranking each team's chances to win the national championship--Sporting News

4. Loyola-Chicago

Why they might win it: Is there a more cohesive team in the Final Four. Obviously not, or the Ramblers would not be here. They have very good players, but unlike some of the other mid-major breakthrough teams of this decade, they do not appear to have a Gordon Hayward or Fred Van Vleet in the rotation. They have won 32 games because they do what is right for the moment, and they do it together. Watch how they work together to cut off dribble penetration around the foul line. There is a precise, orderly ballet to their rotations, and that is how they came to be the No. 18 defense while ranking 102nd in turnovers forced and 297th in block rate. They rarely foul – tournament opponents are averaging only 10.1 free throws against them in the NCAAs. They give up the 15th fewest free throws per field goal attempt in Division I.

The offense does not have the same cachet, and yet in this tournament the focus has been so intense and the execution so precise that the Ramblers have been able to generate a long line of layups. They are shooting .587 on 2-pointers in the NCAAs. That is not uncommon; they are No. 9 in that category nationally. But it is more difficult to achieve in this atmosphere because of the improved quality of teams and the higher stakes – and their number actually has gone up.

Why they won’t: Loyola beat very good teams to get this far. Miami has multiple pros and was good enough to earn a road win at North Carolina. Tennessee was the SEC co-champion. Nevada won the Mountain West by two games and finished with 29 wins. But it gets even more imposing at the Final Four. If you’re wondering if there are any bracket breaks at this level, you’re probably the bracket break.
Ultimately, individual talent is going to matter in San Antonio. Coaches are going to lose tons of sleep this week searching for every coaching maneuver they can anticipate, and the difference is going to be whomever is this year’s version of Kemba Walker or Tyus Jones or Anthony Davis or Wayne Ellington might be. That guy doesn’t play for the Ramblers. But if he watches how magically they play the game of basketball, he might secretly wish he did.

Loyola-Chicago licenses Sister Jean’s name, image with her blessing--Sporting News
March Madness: DeCourcy ranks best games from 30 years of NCAA Tournament coverage--Sporting News

19. Texas A&M vs. UNI, second round, 2016.

This was less consequential than Illinois’ comeback, but more amazing. The Aggies trailed Northern Iowa by 12 with 35 seconds remaining. That game is over. Just ask Leonard Hamilton. Except it wasn’t. Texas A&M desperately pressured in the backcourt, and UNI committed four turnovers that allowed the Aggies to run off 14 points to just two for the Panthers. Had any one of UNI’s blunders been avoided, it would have won the game instead of winding up in overtime. And no one was surprised that the team losing the massive late lead had little stomach for the extra period. Texas A&M 92, UNI 88.

8) Who is Loyola’s best pro prospect? Is it Sister Jean?
Yeah, it’s Sister Jean. No, it’s actually Donte Ingram, who’s athletic, committed to playing defense and can shoot. He’s a senior and may be the player who benefits most from this Loyola run—he’s certainly good enough to earn an invite to Summer League at the very least. Still, the beauty of the Ramblers is how well they define “sum of their parts.”

Final Four: Can Loyola-Chicago's Cinderella Run End with Title?--Sports Illustrated
Final Four: How Can Michigan End Loyola-Chicago's Cinderella Run?--Sports Illustrated
Final Four Breakdown: Which Factors Will Decide Michigan vs. Loyola-Chicago?--Sports Illustrated
Loyola–Chicago's Sister Jean is March Madness Merchandise Gold--Sports Illustrated
These Clutch, Crunch-Time Players Could Be Game-Changers in the Final Four--Sports Illustrated

Loyola-Chicago’s entire starting lineup

Body of work: It wouldn’t be fair to only pick one of the four players whose individual efforts propelled this tournament’s deepest Cinderella run all the way to the Alamodome. Chicago kid Donte Ingram downed Miami in the first round, leading scorer Clayton Custer got the shooter’s bounce needed to send Tennessee home, Marques Townes sank Nevada’s comeback hopes with a three with 6.3 seconds left and Ben Richardson spearheaded a relatively stress-free Elite Eight win over Kansas State with a career-high 23 points, hitting six of seven threes. (“It was [Richardson’s] turn,” said Custer.) And it’s not just the final minute where this philosophy plays out: Going back to the Missouri Valley Conference tournament final, the Ramblers have had a different leading scorer in each of their last five games. While Custer, who transferred after one year of high-major hoops at Iowa State, leads Loyola in scoring and tends to direct traffic in the offensive half-court, five Ramblers average double figures.

Is there more in store? The three key rotation pieces still waiting their “turn” are freshman center Cameron Krutwig and top bench options Lucas Williamson and Aundre Jackson. (Jackson led the Ramblers with 16 points in the second-round win over Tennessee.) Loyola’s crunch-time constant is not the person who takes the biggest shot but the pass that precedes the shot: Only Duke has more assists this tournament than the Ramblers’ 68.

An Unlikely Reviver of Chicago's Hoops Title Dreams, Loyola Has Become the Darling of the City--Sports Illustrated
Tales From Chicago's Up-Close Introduction to Rambler Fever--Sports Illustrated
Sweet 16 roundtable: Intriguing matchups, predictions for NCAA tournament regionals--The Dagger

5. Which of the following teams is most likely to make the Final Four: Kansas State, Loyola Chicago, Nevada, Florida State, Clemson or Syracuse?
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Bushnell: This is going to sound crazy, but I’m going with Loyola. The Sweet 16 game could go either way, but if the Ramblers win it, their defense is capable of giving Kentucky fits. They have the shooting Davidson had in a tight first-round battle with the Wildcats, and they have the athleticism and switchable defense Davidson didn’t have.

Pereles: Nevada. The Wolf Pack have length all over, the Martin twins can really score, and Kendall Stephens is one of the tournament’s most under-appreciated players. Eric Musselman’s squad should be able to overwhelm Loyola with its size, athleticism and skill, then compete with Kentucky for similar reasons. Plus, couldn’t we all go for more shirt-ripping and f-bombs?

6. Give us your “second chance bracket.”

Eisenberg: Kentucky over Nevada; Gonzaga over Michigan; Duke over Kansas; Villanova over Texas Tech. Duke over Gonzaga.

Travel problems plague Villanova, Loyola Chicago, Gonzaga en route to NCAA regionals--The Dagger
Loyola Chicago holds off furious Nevada comeback, wins 69-68--The Dagger
Did refs miss travel on Loyola Chicago in final seconds of win over Nevada?--The Dagger
Sister Jean responds to Loyola Chicago breaking her bracket--The Dagger
New Sister Jean bobbleheads are on the way after Ramblers reach Elite Eight--The Dagger
Loyola Chicago, Sister Jean heading to Final Four after beating Kansas State--The Dagger
Pandemonium, disbelief, and the Loyola Final Four run that even Loyola never dreamt of--The Dagger
These old photos of Sister Jean and Stanley from The Office at Loyola are perfect--The Dagger
Michigan's answer to Sister Jean: Jalen Rose's trash-talking grandma--The Dagger
Student center shakes from mayhem at on-campus watch party as Loyola Chicago reaches Final Four--USA Today
Ben Richardson becomes fourth different hero for Loyola Chicago in Elite 8 win over KSU--USA Today
Michigan players know they will face Loyola Chicago, but do they know about Sister Jean?--USA Today
4 reasons Final Four-bound Loyola Chicago will win the national championship--USA Today
Loyola Chicago, team of 'winners' bound for Final Four, turns NCAA tournament fans into believers--USA Today
Loyola Chicago, NCAA tournament darling, returns home to Final Four party in Chicago--USA Today
Final Four preview: No. 3 Michigan vs. No. 11 Loyola Chicago — keys to victory--USA Today
Former LSU coach Dale Brown has advice for fellow No. 11 seed Loyola-Chicago: Remove distractions--USA Today
Jalen Rose's 100-year-old grandma calls out Sister Jean: 'It's over'--Detroit Free Press
Loyola's Sister Jean, feeling fine and having fun, is an example for us all--USA Today
Loyola Chicago's Final Four run lifts Missouri Valley, and it's wake-up call for selection committee--USA Today
Loyola is the team of Chicago’s college basketball dreams--Fansided
NCAA Tournament 2018: 5 best shooters in the Sweet 16--Fansided

I will present these honorable mentions by way of the 2nd and 3rd Team All-Sweet 16 Shooters lists, along with the rates at which each player makes and takes 3-point shots per 100 possessions and their 3-point FG%:

3rd Team
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Donte Ingram | Loyola Chicago (#0)

3PM/100 Poss: 4.1 3PA/100 Poss: 10.3 3-Pt%: 39.6

Hit game-winning 3-pointer with 0.3 seconds left to beat Miami in 1st round

2nd Team
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Clayton Custer | Loyola Chicago (#13)

3PM/100 Poss: 3.5 3PA/100 Poss: 7.7 3-Pt%: 46.0

Hit game-winning shot with 3.6 seconds left to beat Tennessee in second round

Bus problems make travel to Sweet 16 a headache for Gonzaga, Villanova, Loyola--CBS Sports
The most important player for each Sweet 16 team--CBS Sports

Loyola Chicago — Donte Ingram
Loyola has proven to be a tough out in March Madness because the Ramblers defend well and cause matchup issues for their opponents, a big part fo the reason Loyola Chicago won 30 games this year, including a 19-1 record in its last 20. One of the bigger matchup issues is Ingram, who plays multiple positions at 6-6. He’s a tremendous defensive rebounder, can pass and move the ball and oh, by the way, he shoots almost 40 percent from three as a player who spends time at the five. Loyola’s matchup issues won’t be as pronounced against Nevada’s lineup (more on this in a minute), but Ingram will have to play well for the Ramblers to win.

NCAA Tournament 2018: Loyola-Chicago in the Elite Eight and Sister Jean may be the celebrity of the year in sports--CBS Sports
Loyola beats Nevada 69-68, continues improbable NCAA run--CBS Sports
NCAA Tournament 2018: Loyola's recipe to make the Elite Eight is winning genes, Sister Jean and strength in numbers--CBS Sports
Loyola-Chicago vs. Kansas State is most unpredictable Elite Eight game in NCAA Tournament history--CBS Sports
NCAA Tournament 2018: Eight things to know after Thursday's Sweet 16 games--CBS Sports

1. Loyola-Chicago and Sister Jean are a Cinderella-in-waiting

Loyola-Chicago and its famous nun mascot, Sister Jean, captivated the hearts of college basketball fans across America this week. But it was Loyola's potent offense that pulled them to within one game of a Final Four appearance.

The Rambler's shot an unthinkable 56 percent from the floor in dispatching the Nevada Wolf Pack by a slim 69-68 margin, thanks in large part to hitting 16-of-22 of their layups,. They scored 34 of their points inside the paint and the Pack had no answers for their run-gun-and-share offense.

"It comes from spending so much time together in the offseason," coach Porter Moser told CBS Sports after the game. "Grinding together, whether it's conditioning or boot camp. We're a close group. Our culture, our locker room has been great from the beginning. They're unselfish, they share the ball and they believe. It's sincere."

March Madness odds: Ranking each of the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 games 1-8--CBS Sports

2. No. 7 Nevada vs. No. 11 Loyola-Chicago (South). LINE: NEVADA -1.5.

It's a meeting between dark horse and Cinderella. The best part is how good these teams are. Nevada was clearly the top team in the Mountain West; Loyola was streets ahead of all other teams this season in the Missouri Valley. So not only will this game give us an unexpected team in the Elite Eight that will be playing for the Final Four, but it's going to be a fun watch too.

Nevada is the No. 6 team in offensive efficiency in college basketball. The Ramblers are a top-15 team in shooting from 2-point and 3-point range. Plenty of March star potential here as well. The Wolf Pack have the Martin twins and Jordan Caroline. Loyola has two guys who have hit end-of-game winning shots to get to this point in Donte Ingram and Clayton Custer. Who gets the next shining moment?

If Nevada wins, maybe it will be coach Eric Musselman, who has gone on record to say he's taking off his shirt again if his team moves on. So there's that. Plus, more Sister Jean is a great thing. She alone warrants this game at No. 2. I'm still loving the fact that a 98-year-old nun has become the biggest celebrity of this NCAA Tournament. Only in college basketball.

NCAA Tournament 2018: Eight things to know after Friday's Sweet 16 games--CBS Sports

No. 9 Kansas State vs. No. 11 Loyola-Chicago (6:09 p.m. ET): Never in the history of the NCAA Tournament has a No. 9 played a No. 11. But that exact seed matchup between Kansas State and Loyola-Chicago, respectively, will transpire on Saturday. The Ramblers of Loyola have Sister Jean on their side, and Kansas State? The Wildcats escaped Kentucky -- along with #HandshakeGate2018 -- unblemished.

Pick: This is where I foresee the Sister Jean magic running out. I like Kansas State, a 1.5 point-favorite according to SportsLine, to win and cover the spread here.

Kansas State vs. Loyola-Chicago odds: 2018 NCAA Tournament Elite 8 picks from model on 21-9 roll--CBS Sports
March Madness 2018: Loyola-Chicago's Cinderella run continues on to the Final Four--CBS Sports
NCAA Tournament 2018: Loyola-Chicago is in the Final Four and Twitter is beside itself--CBS Sports
WATCH: Loyola Chicago players share hilarious story--24/7 Sports
NCAA Tournament 2018: The high school friendship that started Loyola's Final Four run--CBS Sports
NCAA Tournament 2018: Eight things to know after Saturday's thrilling Elite Eight games--CBS Sports

1. Loyola's the real deal: Loyola won its first three NCAA Tournament games by a combined four points coming into Saturday's Elite Eight. So, if you weren't fully bought in -- call it a fluke, call it luck, etc. -- I would understand. But it's time to put that behind you. Loyola is the real deal. This is legitimately one of the best teams in the country. The Ramblers made easy work of Kansas State, doing so by flashing their high-level passing, higher-level shooting and togetherness as a team that has transformed them into an unstoppable force.

2. Everyone wants a piece of Sister Jean: The 98-year-old team chaplain of Loyola Chicago, Sister Jean Doloroes, has taken college basketball by storm over the past week. She has been given the bobblehead treatment, she's got her own custom 'Air Sister Jean' sneakers, and now she's got NFL teams fighting for her services. No, really.

Hey @RamblersMBB, how about you let Sister Jean stay in Atlanta for football season. Cool?
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) March 25, 2018

How can you not love the gal and her swag?!

SISTER JEAN HAS HER HAT ON BACKWARDS pic.twitter.com/9rKTQHEV7z
— Whitney Medworth (@its_whitney) March 25, 2018

...
6. Loyola and Michigan are the hottest teams left: When it comes down to the final field, all the remaining teams are among the hottest. But as with Michigan and Loyola, it really feels as if both these two teams are the hottest. Together, they boast a 27-game winning streak coming into the Final Four. And both offenses are chugging along at an elite level. It will be an incredibly game centered around offense when these two meet in San Antonio.

NCAA Tournament: Watch out Loyola -- resilient, resourceful Michigan can beat you in many ways--CBS Sports
Final 4 bound: No. 11 Loyola beats Kansas State 78-62--CBS Sports
Villanova, Kansas, Michigan and Loyola-Chicago create an unusual but fun Final Four--CBS Sports
March Madness: Eight things to know as NCAA Tournament field narrows to Final Four--CBS Sports

8. Loyola-Chicago vs. Michigan will be pure entertainment: No. 11 Loyola is the Cinderella many across the country will be cheering for in the Final Four, and not just because it happens to be one of the best teams in the country. It has 98-year-old team chaplain Sister Jean, it has a lovable roster led by Clayton Custer and coach Porter Moser, and it has an all-around fun team that shares the ball on offense, passes as well as any team left in the field, and has the ability to keep pace with anyone.

So when the Ramblers face off against Michigan, college basketball fans will be put in a predicament. The Wolverines are as fun to watch as any team remaining. Their high-octane offense is only one-upped by their top-end defense, and when they've got their outside shot falling they're unstoppable (ask Texas A&M.)

This matchup may not look good on its face, but from a basketball standpoint, this will be highly entertaining, high level hoops with higher stakes.

March Madness 2018: The 16 best games of the NCAA Tournament so far--CBS Sports

6. Loyola-Chicago 69, Nevada 68, Sweet 16

This unlikely No. 7-versus-No. 11 Sweet 16 matchup ended up feeling like four games in one. Nevada jumped on top early, Loyola then closed the half by taking the lead and holding the Wolf Pack scoreless for the final seven-plus minutes before halftime. Loyola started the second half 13-for-13 from the field, then Nevada mounted its eventual charge back into the game only to fall one point short.
...
8. Loyola-Chicago 63, Tennessee 62, second round

A 10-point lead evaporated in the final moments for Loyola but the Ramblers held on it what would the second of three straight wins decided by two points or less.
...
12. Loyola-Chicago 64, Miami 62, first round

Like Michigan and Kansas, Loyola has its own moment of "what if" in the First Round. Marques Townes drops the first of his multiple game-winners.

Loyola Chicago coach reveals what he fears most about Michigan--CBS Sports
2018 NCAA Tournament: Four things to know about the Final Four--CBS Sports

2. Loyola-Chicago matches the lowest-seeded team to reach Final Four

Loyola-Chicago's Final Four appearance makes just the fourth time in NCAA Tournament history that an 11 seed has advanced this far in the Big Dance. The Ramblers join LSU (1986), George Mason (2006), and VCU (2011).

Loyola can do what no 11-seed has done before it though, as a win over Michigan would put it in the title game. None of the previous 11 seeds won a national semifinal game.

The only other time the Ramblers made it this far in the NCAA Tournament was 1963, before seeding. They won the whole thing by knocking off Cincinnati, 60-58 in the title game. Can the magic of Sister Jean, Loyola's lovable 98-year-old nun, propel them to the championship?

2018 NCAA Tournament Final Four odds, picks: Advanced computer model says fade Loyola-Chicago--CBS Sports
2018 NCAA Tournament: Ranking every one of the 20 starting players in the Final Four--CBS Sports

19. Ben Richardson, Loyola-Chicago. The penultimate guy on the list is coming off a career game, as he put up a season-high 23 points in Loyola's Elite Eight win over Kansas State. He also might be the Ramblers' best defender. (Really, there's a lot more college talent in this Final Four than people are giving credence to.) Read up on Richardson's longtime friendship with his teammate, Clayton Custer, via our Chip Patterson.

18. Cameron Krutwig, Loyola-Chicago. Krutrock is one of my favorite underground musical genres. The freshman big man has an old-school game and a fine ability to pass out of the post. His back-to-the-basket and passing skill sets stem in part from his idolization of Larry Bird. In this era of stretch 4s and 5s who want to get theirs from deep, it's refreshing to see a chubby 6-foot-10 center who's never attempted a 3-pointer in his college career.
...
15. Marques Townes, Loyola-Chicago. One of the toughest players in the Final Four field, Townes is strong like an ox, too. Keep in mind this guy played high school football for one season and that alone was good enough to earn him a scholarship offer from Penn State. Townes shoots 39.4 percent from 3-point range and 55.5 from 2-point range. He hit the 3-pointer to put Loyola over Nevada and pushed the Ramblers through to the Elite Eight.
...
11. Donte Ingram, Loyola-Chicago. If you're trying to keep track on which Loyola players hit which game-clinching shots, Ingram's the one who hit the most thrilling of the three. He's the team's most aggressive player, if a little inconsistent. He leads the team in rebounding (6.3) and without him, Loyola's story does not happen.

LOYOLO pic.twitter.com/CkcEfulFV9
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 15, 2018

...
5. Clayton Custer, Loyola-Chicago. The best player in the Missouri Valley Conference this season. Custer does a little of everything: 13.2 points, 4.2 assists, 2.2 rebounds, 1.5 steals. Like most of Loyola's players, he can get to the rim and use the tin to his advantage, often going with a reverse attack to dodge would-be shot-blockers. Custer shoots 58.4 percent from 2-point range and 46.5 on 3-pointers. He embodies the Ramblers' beautiful offensive attack.

LOOK: Ann Arbor billboards poke fun at Sister Jean ahead of Michigan vs. Loyola-Chicago game in Final Four--CBS Sports
NCAA Tournament 2018: Ranking the teams and what you should know about each team in the Final Four--CBS Sports

Ranking the Final Four teams
4 Loyola-Chi.

Fourth, but not by much. Porter Moser, now in his 14th season as a Division I head coach, has made the Final Four in his first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. That's amazing. Moser's team now ranks 18th in defensive efficiency at KenPom.com. The shooting, and ball movement that induces good shots, remains stellar. The Ramblers have made 40.2 percent of their 3-pointers (11th in the nation) and 56.8 percent of their 2-pointers (ninth).

It's that balance of quality shots and get-back defense (scoring on this team in transition is a rarity) that has brought them to two wins shy of a national title. Sure, three of their four wins have come in one-possession games with Loyola hitting the clinching shot in the closing seconds. But what does it say that the Ramblers made those three shots in three games from three players? There is a camaraderie with this team that's infectious when you watch it.

Also: the Ramblers have the best record in 2018 of any team in college basketball: 21-2. Not only that, but Clayton Custer — aka the Missouri Valley Player of the Year — didn't play in five of Loyola's games this season. The Ramblers lost three of those tilts, meaning the team's record when Custer is on the floor is 29-2.

This team can win the national championship.

Final Four 2018: Loyola is staying at same hotel as the Thunder and got a pep talk from Russell Westbrook--CBS Sports
Michigan hopes to end Loyola-Chicago's Cinderella run--CBS Sports
Loyola advances to Elite 8 and America wins because we get more Sister Jean--Fansided
Loyola students reacting to win over Nevada is what makes March Madness special--Fansided
Loyola-Chicago’s Sister Jean now has her own amazing bobblehead--Fansided
The Loyola-Chicago Ramblers broke Sister Jean’s bracket--Fansided
https://fansided.com/2018/03/24/loyola-chicago-final-four-2018-best-team/--Fansided
There’s no joy more blissful than Loyola fans celebrating a Final Four berth--Fansided
Is it too early to rename Loyola-Chicago after Sister Jean?--Fansided
No story better sums up how anonymous Loyola is than the one Ben Richardson told--Fansided
Charles Barkley and Sister Jean-the odd couple we never knew we wanted?--Fansided
5 reasons Loyola-Chicago can and will win it all--Fansided
Loyola needs to show Porter Moser the money after Final Four run--Fansided
Louisville, Pitt should make a run at Loyola’s Porter Moser--Fansided
NCAA Tournament 2018: Ranking remaining teams in Final Four--Fansided
Michigan is definitely losing to Loyola because that’s how karma works--Fansided
Jalen Rose’s 100-year-old grandma is Michigan’s answer to Sister Jean (Video)--Fansided
Approximately 42 fun facts about the Loyola Ramblers players--Fansided
A safe space for Sister Jean dissidents--Fansided
NCAA Final Four 2018: Loyola-Chicago preview--Fansided
Michigan and Loyola are the same team--Fansided
New attention won’t derail Loyola’s ride--Mid-Major Madness
Loyola vs. Nevada Game Preview: A contrast of styles in the South Region--Mid-Major Madness
Loyola Chicago advances to the Elite Eight after a thrilling win over Nevada--Mid-Major Madness
Overlooked as a recruit, Ben Richardson is having his shining moment with Loyola University Chicago--Mid-Major Madness
Loyola of Chicago’s players share unconventional journeys and unique sacrifices--Mid-Major Madness
In Loyola-Chicago, DePaul may finally have its roadmap to success--The Comeback
Loyola, Nevada Embracing Similar Styles En Route to Sweet Success--CBB Central
NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Preview: Thursday, March 22nd--Hoops HD

SOUTH REGION

(11) LOYOLA-CHICAGO VS. (7) NEVADA (7:07 PM, CBS). The Ramblers’ dream season is still alive and well after back-to-back games that featured shots to go ahead in the closing seconds against Miami and Tennessee, respectively. As rare as it is to go back-to-back, it’s even more unlikely for Nevada to be at this point – they have led in their first two games for a combined FIVE minutes, yet came back to force overtime against Texas and subsequently erased a 22-point deficit against Cincinnati to find themselves in the national spotlight in Atlanta tonight.

NCAA Tournament Elite 8 Recap and Preview (and other Postseason News) – Sunday, March 25th--Hoops HD

Last night, the first two spots of the Final Four were filled – the South Region and West Region were both decided. Unlike their first three games of the NCAA Tournament, Loyola continued their winning ways with a relatively easy 78-62 victory over Kansas State in Atlanta. Ben Richardson led the Ramblers with 23 points last night, and was also named MVP of the South Regional for his efforts. They will play Michigan on Saturday night – the Wolverines were able to survive against Florida State despite hitting a low percentage of 3s this time around.

Loyola-Chicago Basketball is headed to the Final Four--Busting Brackets
Loyola-Chicago Basketball: How the Ramblers reached the Final Four--Busting Brackets
Men's Basketball 2018 NCAA Tournament Final Four Game Breakdowns--College Sports Madness
Pat Caputo - Michigan vs. Loyola, what college basketball should be all about--Oakland Press
Can the Ramblers Compete With Nevada?--Valley Hoops Insider
Three Keys To The Sweet Sixteen Showdown--Valley Hoops Insider
Are You Kidding Me? Elite Ramblers!--Valley Hoops Insider
Atlanta’s Elite Encounter--Valley Hoops Insider
Loyola To the Pinnacle--Valley Hoops Insider
Inspiration Abounds in Final Four--Valley Hoops Insider
Final Four Roundtable: The Best Moments Up to Now--Rock Chalk Talk

RS: I’m Russell Steinberg from Mid-Major Madness. We’ve kept our eye on Loyola all year and I’m glad the world is now getting to see what we’ve known all along: that this team is legit. Every tournament comes with its share of great mid-major moments and picking just one could be like picking your favorite child. But there’s not right answer other than UMBC’s win over Virginia. It was historic and truly a thing of beauty.
...
RS: It seems like forever ago, but in December, Loyola went into the O Dome and beat Florida without Ben Richardson. Audre Jackson had 23 points and was perfect from three in that one, helping to make up for Richardson’s absence and a rough game from Clayton Custer. In the tournament, take your pick at any of the first four games. Personally, I’ll go with Donte Ingram’s three against Miami because it was a true buzzer beater.

No. 11 Loyola (32-5)

Star: Point guard Clayton Custer makes everything run smoothly for a remarkably efficient offense. He hasn’t had fewer than three assists in a game since Jan. 31, averaging 4.2 assists on the season. He’s also clutch as evidenced by his game-winning shot against Tennessee in the second round.

Coach: In his seventh season at Loyola, this is Porter Moser’s second 20-win season. He’s built the program with local recruiting and key transfers who have invested in his team culture.

Key stat: 59. Days (come Saturday when they play Michigan) since Loyola lost. The Ramblers have won 14 in a row, including 10 straight opponents who couldn’t muster more than 70 points.

How the Ramblers can win it all: They would be the lowest seed to ever win the tournament, besting No. 8 Villanova in 1985. But hide Loyola’s name and Missouri Valley Conference affiliation and the Ramblers would have more believers with their top-20 defense, multitude of scorers and the best shooting percentage of any Final Four team at 50.9 percent.

Missouri State Bears find hidden gem in new head basketball coach Dana Ford--Fansided
Why Dana Ford?--Valley Hoops Insider
Salary and perks: MSU head coach Dana Ford's contract details revealed--Springfield News-Leader
MSU players say they'll stay for Ford: 'I knew they were going to find the perfect fit for us'--Springfield News-Leader
'I was hired here to win championships. Period': The Dana Ford era begins at MSU--Springfield News-Leader
Parkview star commits to Missouri State on Day 2 of Dana Ford era--Springfield News-Leader
Dana Ford will win at Missouri State, say Big 12 coach, MVC rival and NHL exec--Springfield News-Leader
Loyola's NCAA Tournament run means big payday for Missouri State--Springfield News-Leader
‘I’m here to win championships’: New men’s basketball coach Dana Ford introduced--The Standard
Ford Named Bears’ Head Basketball Coach--missouristatebears.com

Women’s Basketball Postseason Banquet Scheduled for April 8--missouristatebears.com
2017-18 Season By the Numbers--missouristatebears.com

What's Up In The Missouri Valley

Saturday, March 31, 2018

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 3/31/2018