Consigliere
All-American
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2012
- Messages
- 21,927
Here are some opinions:
ESPN:
38. Loyola-Chicago Ramblers
Let's remove this mid-major's name and league (Missouri Valley Conference) for a moment. Instead, let's discuss a team ranked 23rd in adjusted defensive efficiency (KenPom.com) -- a broad metric that measures a team's defensive aptitude according to the competition it has faced -- and the No. 25 offense against man-to-man defense (Synergy Sports). This team also has a road win at Florida, too. And it makes 40 percent of its 3-pointers. Sound like a sleeper to you?
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CBS
34 LOYOLA-CHI.
At 28-5, is a milestone season for the Ramblers, who haven't danced since 1985. Coached by Porter Moser, this team wins a lot with defense -- and then closes the deal with four 3-point shooters who average 38 percent or better.
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Bleacher Report
48. Loyola-Chicago Ramblers
Actual NCAA Ranking (out of 68 Teams)
#46 (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYCyDweVQAAyR2j.jpg:large)
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Joe Boozell
No. 6 Miami (Fla.) vs. No. 11 Loyola-Chicago, Thursday
The Hurricanes feel like a weaker 6-seed – they accomplished a lot while Bruce Brown was still healthy, but he won’t play in the tournament. The Ramblers are balanced, experienced, skilled and hungry — it’s their first tournament appearance since 1985.
Winner: Loyola-Chicago
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Andy Katz (on NCAA.com)
7. Loyola-Chicago is the best story in the region, making the NCAA tournament for the first time in 33 years.
Upset alert: Miami. The No. 6 Hurricanes take on No. 11 Loyola, a team that won at Florida earlier in the season. The Ramblers defend exceptionally well.
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ESPN:
38. Loyola-Chicago Ramblers
Let's remove this mid-major's name and league (Missouri Valley Conference) for a moment. Instead, let's discuss a team ranked 23rd in adjusted defensive efficiency (KenPom.com) -- a broad metric that measures a team's defensive aptitude according to the competition it has faced -- and the No. 25 offense against man-to-man defense (Synergy Sports). This team also has a road win at Florida, too. And it makes 40 percent of its 3-pointers. Sound like a sleeper to you?
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CBS
34 LOYOLA-CHI.
At 28-5, is a milestone season for the Ramblers, who haven't danced since 1985. Coached by Porter Moser, this team wins a lot with defense -- and then closes the deal with four 3-point shooters who average 38 percent or better.
------------------
Bleacher Report
48. Loyola-Chicago Ramblers
- Record: 28-5, 15-3 in Missouri Valley
How They Got Here: The Ramblers might be the hottest team in the country. They have won 10 in a row and 17 of the past 18 games. If they had fallen short in the MVC tournament, it would have been a tough at-large call for the selection committee to make. Instead, Loyola-Chicago took care of business and will now be a tough out in the NCAA tournament.
Reason to Believe: Loyola-Chicago is one of the best shooting teams. Led by junior Clayton Custer, the Ramblers make 39.8 percent of their three-point attempts and 56.8 percent of their shots from inside the arc. As a result, they have an effective field-goal percentage that ranks in the top 10 in the nation, per KenPom. They also won a road game against Florida this season, showing what they're capable of doing against a quality foe.
Reason to Worry: Lack of size is a serious concern for this potential bracket-buster. At 6'9", freshman Cameron Krutwig is the only regular contributor taller than 6'6". Because of this, the Ramblers are one of the worst offensive rebounding teams in the country, don't block many shots and give up a lot of points in the paint.
March Madness Ceiling: Height problems or not, Loyola-Chicago is a serious threat to reach the Sweet 16. Five Ramblers average at least 10 points per game, and five of the six primary scorers are upperclassmen. They start not one but two veteran point guards: Custer and senior Ben Richardson, both of whom hail from Overland Park, Kansas. And they had that great win over Florida in December. Long story short, the Ramblers check all of the boxes that we look for from a Cinderella candidate.
Actual NCAA Ranking (out of 68 Teams)
#46 (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYCyDweVQAAyR2j.jpg:large)
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Joe Boozell
No. 6 Miami (Fla.) vs. No. 11 Loyola-Chicago, Thursday
The Hurricanes feel like a weaker 6-seed – they accomplished a lot while Bruce Brown was still healthy, but he won’t play in the tournament. The Ramblers are balanced, experienced, skilled and hungry — it’s their first tournament appearance since 1985.
Winner: Loyola-Chicago
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Andy Katz (on NCAA.com)
7. Loyola-Chicago is the best story in the region, making the NCAA tournament for the first time in 33 years.
Upset alert: Miami. The No. 6 Hurricanes take on No. 11 Loyola, a team that won at Florida earlier in the season. The Ramblers defend exceptionally well.
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