Following an impressive 2020-21 campaign where Loyola University Chicago Men's Basketball made it to the Sweet Sixteen, the Ramblers were ready for another season. After finishing tied for second in the Missouri Valley Conference, the team knew it needed to win Arch Madness to go dancing yet again. It all started in the quarterfinal round against Bradley.
A gritty Loyola University Chicago (23-7) defense frustrated No. 5 seed Bradley (17-14) into just 31.4 percent (16-for-51) shooting, including a mere 20 percent (4-for-20) from three-point territory, in a dominating, 66-50 victory in a Missouri Valley Conference Championship quarterfinal-round game at the Enterprise Center on March 4.
MVC Defensive Player of the Year Lucas Williamson led the team with 13 points along with three assists and three steals and MVC All-Bench Team honoree Ryan Schwieger ended the game with 11 points.
After taking down Bradley in the first round of the tournament, the Ramblers went on to face the University of Northern Iowa in the semifinal round.
Fourth-seeded Loyola University Chicago (24-7) used a smothering defensive effort that locked up No. 1 seed Northern Iowa (19-11), forcing the Panthers to shoot just 23.1 percent (13-for-56) from the field and 16.7 percent (4-for-24) from three-point range, in a convincing 66-43 victory in the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Championship. Loyola never trailed in the contest and held UNI without a field goal for the final 15:12 of the game.
Braden Norris led the way for Loyola with 19 points, hitting 7 of 10 shots from the field, including four threes. Marquise Kennedy was solid all-around yet again, providing 13 points, six boards, two assists and a pair of steals, while Ryan Schwieger chipped in 12 points and six rebounds.
Loyola's final test came against Drake University, which beat the Ramblers both times in the regular season. But this time, it was the Maroon and Gold that came out victorious.
Once again, Loyola's defense provided the difference as the Ramblers (25-7) punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament with a 64-58 victory over Drake (24-10) at the Enterprise Center in the title game of the Missouri Valley Conference Championship. This marks the first time since the 1962-63 and 1963-64 seasons that Loyola has reached the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back years.
Lucas Williamson was outstanding at both ends of the court, picking a perfect time for his first double-double (18 points and 10 rebounds) since the 2018-19 campaign, while Aher Uguak was a menace at both ends on his way to 16 points and 10 boards.
One week after their historic Arch Madness run, Loyola Men's Basketball and the rest of the community gathered in Gentile Arena one last time to see where the team would end up for the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
During the Selection Show on March 13, the Ramblers learned they would take on the Ohio State University Buckeyes at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Once they landed, the Ramblers headed to Duquesne's practice gym and got to work.
Before they knew it, the Ramblers' first day in Pittsburgh was over. This meant it was time to rest before another eventful day. This time, they were able to see their locker room and practice on the floor at PPG Paints Arena. Along with that, Coach Drew Valentine, Lucas Williamson, Aher Uguak and Braden Norris spoke with the media about the upcoming game.
Loyola University Chicago struggled through an uncharacteristic day on the offensive end, dropping a 54-41 decision to seventh-seeded Ohio State (20-11, 12-8 Big Ten) in an NCAA Tournament First Round game inside PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa.
This season would not be what it was without this amazing group of seniors who pushed this team to the new heights. Thank you for making this a season for the record books!
Credits:
Photo Credit: Steve Woltmann, Loyola Athletics