Loyola Chicago continuing to earn respect after another impressive tournament start
CHICAGO (BVM) — In 2018, Loyola Chicago put themselves on the map in the college basketball world. A few years later, they are doing the same and have perhaps become a Final Four favorite.
As the No. 8 seed in the Midwest region of this year’s tournament, the Ramblers were faced with a tough opening matchup against No. 9 seed and ACC Tournament champion Georgia Tech. Despite a spirited effort from the Yellow Jackets, the Ramblers got a 71-60 win behind 21 points from senior Lucas Williamson.
The win set the stage for a much anticipated in-state matchup with the Illinois Fighting Illini. The Illini — a 24-6 team coming off a Big Ten Tournament championship — were seen by many as a national championship contender and a major threat to anyone they matched up against.
For Loyola Chicago, playing a No. 1 seed that boasts several talented prospects, including Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn, didn’t phase them. With 101-year-old team chaplain Sister Jean looking on, the Ramblers set the tone early and often in the game thanks to exceptional play on both ends of the floor by senior forward Cameron Krutwig.
Despite multiple comeback pushes by the Illini, Loyola Chicago kept playing a near-perfect game. They would end up taking down their “big brother” in the state 71-58, and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen once again.
Now, the Ramblers may very well be the favorite to win the Midwest region and advance to the Final Four. Saturday, they will match up against No. 12 seed Oregon State. If they win that contest, they will face perhaps another double-digit seed in No. 11 Syracuse, or they will put the maroon jerseys back on to play No. 2 Houston.
Having three lower seeds advance in the Midwest region, as well as numerous first and second round upsets from double-digit seeded teams shows that perhaps the talent gap between the typical blue bloods and mid-major squads has narrowed.
“I think there’s more good players,” head coach Porter Moser said in a press conference on Wednesday. “Across the board, kids are getting better.”
Regardless, the best 16 teams in college basketball this year are here, and Loyola Chicago is purely focused on its upcoming opponent. Oregon State comes in hot winning the Pac-12 conference tournament as a No. 5 seed, and upsetting both Tennessee and Oklahoma State in the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament to advance to this weekend.
“They’re one of the hottest teams in the country right now,” Williamson said Wednesday in his press conference. “They really look to get up and down, score early, score in transition and shoot a lot of threes. We’re going to really have to key in on their key guys and limit their three point attempts. We’re just going to have to be us and do our thing.”
The Beavers have put up 70 and 80 points in their first two tournament games, respectively, and are a lethal team offensively behind guys like senior guard Ethan Thompson. For Loyola Chicago, they are all about defense, and will need it to come through again on Saturday.
“The guys believe in it,” Moser said about his team’s defense. “Defense creates offense and I think that’s part of how we get these guys to believe in it.”
If the Ramblers win Saturday, they will play once again on Monday night. If they advance to the Final Four, they will continue to remain in the “bubble” of Indianapolis. The 2021 tournament has been unique for that reason, but Moser and his guys are focused on the positives.
“You can’t complain,” Moser said. “You got to look at it and be grateful we’re having it. How about some of the teams last year that were on their way or got tournament bids and couldn’t be here? You have to look at it half full. Yes, we have to stay here. But we’re enjoying the moment, enjoying each other, the competition and the ability to advance. We’re here, we’re advancing, we’re in the Sweet Sixteen and with a group of guys we love.”
“It’s very different,” Williamson added about this year’s tournament. “Basically, what we did last weekend was earn the right to stay in a bubble. It’s just different but in the end it’s where we want to be.”
With the big upset of Illinois and another deep tournament run, people around the country are taking notice of Loyola Chicago. After his 19-point, 12-rebound performance against the Illini, people have specifically taken a liking to Krutwig, and are finding out what a great personality he has on and off the court.
Cameron Krutwig (@CamKrutwig) and Todd Fritz (@BrooklynFritzy), just two dudes that love themselves some Hall & Oates. @RamblersMBB
For Cameron's full appearance: https://t.co/4vVRsgfEOl pic.twitter.com/Juvygth7h4
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) March 23, 2021
“It’s just him, that’s who he is,” Moser said about Krutwig. “He’s a fun-loving guy. You love him as a player, but you love him as a person. He brings everybody in and just has this great personality about himself that loves life. That was one of the things that drew me to him and I just think the world is starting to see that more.”
“Krut is one of my favorite people all-time,” Williamson said. “He’s such a character and as you might know he’s my roommate. Him being in the national spotlight, I just know that people are going to fall in love with him and the type of person that he is.”
There is no doubt the Ramblers are a fun team to watch and an easy team to root for. They have a special opportunity coming up in front of them this weekend. But regardless of the outcome, the runs they have made in their last two tournaments, and the name they have made for themselves, has earned them plenty of respect.
“I’d say that you have to respect this program,” Williamson said. “Going into the last time we were in the tournament, nobody really knew who Loyola was but we made it all the way to the Final Four. Now we’re back in the tournament and are having success so I think that you have to respect the fact that the two times we’ve been in the tournament, we’ve made a run.”
