What's Up In The Missouri Valley 4/7/2018

Highlights and lowlights from the 2017-18 college basketball season: What we learned from the season of the FBI--CBS Sports

NCAA Tournament features all-time great first weekend and all-time great team

Because the Final Four had three games decided by an average of 15 points, we can't proclaim the 2018 NCAA Tournament as the best ever. It just doesn't work that way. If you're the best tournament ever, you have to have at least a competitive, dramatic ending. Not the case in 2018. It was a solid tournament, probably a B-plus. But that first weekend? That was awesome. In fact, I did the research and came to conclude that it was the third-best opening weekend in Big Dance history.

After a buzzy regular season, and a good run in the conference tournaments, 2017-18 wrapped up with a quality NCAA Tournament that included the most surreal thing I've ever experienced in the media.

I think there are five big elements/stories the NCAA Tournament will be remembered for. In order:

Loyola-Chicago makes the Final Four, and with Sister Jean as the face of the program, becomes the biggest story of the tournament. The Ramblers get to San Antonio thanks to three winning shots in the closing seconds by three different players in their first three games. Then they smash Kansas State and break through the door. Legendary run. Read up on Porter Moser's stories behind the story.

Loyola to host Nevada next season in Sweet 16 rematch--Chicago Tribune
Ramblers To Be Honored At Chicago Cubs Home Opener Monday Afternoon--loyolaramblers.com

New MSU coach Dana Ford hires staff. Here's what you need to know:--Springfield News-Leader
Ford Finalizes MSU Coaching Staff--missouristatebears.com