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#8 seed Loyola eliminates #1 seed Illinois 71-58

Da Coach

Da Coach

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#8 seed Loyola played a terrific game, lead from the start and never trailed Illinois, and finished off the #1 seeded Illini with a 71-58 win.
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...meId=401310888

Loyola's defense was the biggest difference, but they were also the better offensive team.
Loyola shot 51.0% from the floor and 41% from three, while Illinois shot 44.9% from the floor and 28.6% from three.
Loyola outrebounded Illinois 31-27, and had 12 steals as a team.
Cameron Krutwig lead Loyola with 19 points 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 huge steals.

The Ramblers advance to the Sweet 16 and will play the winner of the #12 Oregon State - #4 Oklahoma State game.
 
If I have to hear one more time about how Loyola is a Cinderella by Jim Nantz, I might throw up. Loyola is 26-4 and has a top ten NET ranking. While I thought Illinois would win, this is a mild upset, not some crazy stunner. Congrats to Loyola for another impressive win.
 
BUBraves2006 said:
If I have to hear one more time about how Loyola is a Cinderella by Jim Nantz, I might throw up. Loyola is 26-4 and has a top ten NET ranking. While I thought Illinois would win, this is a mild upset, not some crazy stunner. Congrats to Loyola for another impressive win.
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Ditto... I am also a bit tired of the media, mostly CBS who always looks to spin a good side story, constantly trying to make the Loyola success about Sister Jean and her prayers. Sorry, I love Sister Jean and I believe in prayer, but Loyola's success is because they are good and they are well coached. Sister Jean is just along for the ride.
 
BUBraves2006 said:
If I have to hear one more time about how Loyola is a Cinderella by Jim Nantz, I might throw up. Loyola is 26-4 and has a top ten NET ranking. While I thought Illinois would win, this is a mild upset, not some crazy stunner. Congrats to Loyola for another impressive win.
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I would add Loyola won both its conference and conference tournament, something three of the four No. 1 seeds didn't do.

I'm waiting for someone on the TV broadcasts to question why Loyola was an 8 seed. Haven't heard it yet.
 
BUSongwriter said:
I would add Loyola won both its conference and conference tournament, something three of the four No. 1 seeds didn't do.

I'm waiting for someone on the TV broadcasts to question why Loyola was an 8 seed. Haven't heard it yet.
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And I doubt you will. These announcers on the CBS broadcast are beholden to the NCAA and won't say much that could be interpreted as a criticism of their selections, seedings, or matchups. Plus, they would much prefer playing up the "Cinderella team" and "huge upset" stories.
 
BUBraves2006 said:
If I have to hear one more time about how Loyola is a Cinderella by Jim Nantz, I might throw up. Loyola is 26-4 and has a top ten NET ranking. While I thought Illinois would win, this is a mild upset, not some crazy stunner. Congrats to Loyola for another impressive win.
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Ditto! This Loyola team is for real no matter what the national announcers want you to believe. Their defense baffled the Illini in everything they tried to do and their offense with their passing was su-perb.
 
Moser completely outcoached Underwood, the Illini's offense looked lost the entire game. Kofi is also a huge liability on defense, they forced him into making quick decisions. Props to Loyola for picking apart the Illini's weaknesses. Ayo also had one of his worst games I have ever watched, not sure if something was wrong with him.
 
BUfan17 said:
Moser completely outcoached Underwood, the Illini's offense looked lost the entire game. Kofi is also a huge liability on defense, they forced him into making quick decisions. Props to Loyola for picking apart the Illini's weaknesses. Ayo also had one of his worst games I have ever watched, not sure if something was wrong with him.
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There was something wrong with him. It was called Loyola’s defense.They stopped him from getting open looks all day
 
Loved this win. Agree Moser outcoached Underwood on both ends of the floor. I'll bet the Illini thought Kofi would dominate but Kofi never met anybody with Krutwig's moves. As a big Valley fan, and as somebody who doesn't like Illinois or the Big Ten, this was sweet to watch.
 
BOOM! LOVE IT!

Good thing the NCAA got in 9 of those Big 10 teams. Let's hope for 4 mid-majors in the Final Four, but for now, I'll settle for this one!

Way to go Loyola! This is probably the only time I'll ever root for you!
 
I'm not even going to say how proud I am of those players, although I guess I just did, as frankly they all expected to be in this position. I know the big story is about Sister Jean and being from a mid major conference but the real story is about how efficient Loyola is on both ends of the court. They are not afraid and expect to win. Good luck Oregon State. You're going to need it.
 
Clark Kellogg is a JOKE - the next Billy Packer. Clark Kellogg (the CBS College Basketball Analyst Expert) - during the Illinois - Loyola halftime show predicted that the Illini will regroup during halftime and come out and take care of business and win the game. Period - end of statement. Reminds me of when Jim Nantz made a comment to Billy Packer in 2006 stating to Billy " I guess we have give Bradley credit " after Bradley defeated Pitt and made it to the Sweet 16. CBS expert then Bill Packer's response: " CRICKETS " ...
 
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Go_Braves said:
Clark Kellogg is a JOKE - the next Billy Packer. Clark Kellogg (the CBS College Basketball Analyst Expert) - during the Illinois - Loyola halftime show predicted that the Illini will regroup during halftime and come out and take care of business and win the game. Period - end of statement. Reminds me of when Jim Nantz made a comment to Billy Packer in 2006 stating to Jim " I guess we have give Bradley credit " after Bradley defeated Pitt and made it to the Sweet 16. CBS expert then Bill Packer's response: " CRICKETS " ...
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I'll bet you not a single one of the "experts" on that half time panel had watched a single Loyola game all season. They had no idea what Moser and his team were capable of.
 
Moser’s resume the past 4 years -

2017-18: Conference champs, conference tournament champs, 30+ win season, NCAA final 4

2018-19: Share of conference championship, 20 win season, NIT first round loss

2019-20: 2nd place finish in conference, 20+ win season.

2020-21: Conference champs, conference tournament champs, 25+ win season, Sweet 16 appearance, and likely an E8 or even F4 appearance again imo.

so in four years, 3x 1st place conference champs, 2x conference tournament champs, 4x 20 win seasons, 2x 25+ win seasons, NCAA final 4, NCAA S16+?.

IMO Moser has the strongest mid major coach resume since Brad Stevens coming off two NCAA championship game appearances. Especially if Moser advances past the S16 next weekend, which personally I expect it to happen.

If Moser wants a nice job upgrade after this season he is going to get it no question in my opinion. Does he want it? Who knows. But a $1-$2M/yr raise would be awful hard to turn down.
 
As an Illinois fan that was an excruciating loss. As a college basketball fan, it was a wonderful performance from Loyola and was a great template how mid-majors can win tournament games. Illinois' offense is based on spacing and beating people one-on-one. Loyola took that away. The movement on offense away from the ball by the two teams was night and day. Illinois would have 3 or 4 players standing around, Loyola was constantly moving. Oh and Loyola was criminally under-seeded.
 
Classof77 said:
Loved this win. Agree Moser outcoached Underwood on both ends of the floor. I'll bet the Illini thought Kofi would dominate but Kofi never met anybody with Krutwig's moves. As a big Valley fan, and as somebody who doesn't like Illinois or the Big Ten, this was sweet to watch.
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Yes indeed! Love these big Valley wins when it matters most!
I don't hate Illini, but I'll root for most any MVC team over a B-10 team any day!
 
Loyola nowhere near being done yet.
They are capable of beating ANY team this season, which I couldn't say 3 yrs ago.
The problem is that Oreg. St feels THEY can beat any team right now and is the hottest team in the country.

I think if LUC gets past Oreg. St., they get to the Championship game - being truthful here.
LUC is a Butler-style program now - plays very similarly but they can shoot the 3 better than those great Butler teams a few seasons ago.
 
BUSongwriter said:
I would add Loyola won both its conference and conference tournament, something three of the four No. 1 seeds didn't do.

I'm waiting for someone on the TV broadcasts to question why Loyola was an 8 seed. Haven't heard it yet.
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And the 1 out of 4 that won their conference tournament, Loyola beat by a Baker’s dozen.
 
Stryker said:
Moser’s resume the past 4 years -

2017-18: Conference champs, conference tournament champs, 30+ win season, NCAA final 4

2018-19: Share of conference championship, 20 win season, NIT first round loss

2019-20: 2nd place finish in conference, 20+ win season.

2020-21: Conference champs, conference tournament champs, 25+ win season, Sweet 16 appearance, and likely an E8 or even F4 appearance again imo.

so in four years, 3x 1st place conference champs, 2x conference tournament champs, 4x 20 win seasons, 2x 25+ win seasons, NCAA final 4, NCAA S16+?.

IMO Moser has the strongest mid major coach resume since Brad Stevens coming off two NCAA championship game appearances. Especially if Moser advances past the S16 next weekend, which personally I expect it to happen.

If Moser wants a nice job upgrade after this season he is going to get it no question in my opinion. Does he want it? Who knows. But a $1-$2M/yr raise would be awful hard to turn down.
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It seemed pretty obvious that Porter didn't seem to have what it took to be a head coach after leading ISU Red to a 51-67 4 year record, 22-50 in the conference. He became an assistant under Rick Majerus in the 07-08 season and was the associate head coach for the next 3 seasons and seemingly learned a great deal under him about offense and defense. Now it took a little while for Porter to get it going at Loyola as his 1sat 5 years he was 71-91, 15-63 in the Valley. A lot of schools would have been looking somewhere else for a new coach but credit to them for sticking with Porter. Maybe that's why he's remained loyal to them. He clearly enjoys being a Chicago guy leading a Chicago team as his contract goes through the 25-26 season. He and his wife have an 8 bedroom, 5,438 square foot mansion in Wilmette. As far as I know he's not given any indication that he's ready to move on. Indiana could be the opening that he would consider. With where he has Loyola at every other job would be a lateral move. Except Indiana. We'll see.
 
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