Loyola-Chicago wins MVC championship, heads to 2018 NCAA Tournament

The Ramblers are going dancing for the first time since 1985.

Loyola-Chicago was one of the best mid-major teams all season. The Ramblers beat No. 5 Florida on the road, coasted to the regular season title in the Missouri Valley Conference and boasted an RPI in the top-30 nationally.

Now the Ramblers are officially going to the NCAA tournament.

Loyola punched its ticket to the Big Dance by defeating Illinois State, 65-49, on Sunday afternoon in Saint Louis. This is Loyola’s first NCAA tournament appearance since 1985.

The Ramblers were led by senior forward Donte Ingram, a graduate of Chicago powerhouse Simeon Career Academy, who finished with 18 points and eight rebounds in the win. Freshman center Cameron Krutwig added 11 points and nine rebounds in the win.

Loyola hit 9-of-21 shots from three-point range. The Ramblers punched their ticket to the Big Dance despite an off-game from MVC Player of the Year Clayton Custer, who finished with just six points.

What does Loyola-Chicago do well?

The Ramblers set the tone on the defensive end, where they rank No. 31 nationally in efficiency. Loyola limits three-point shots and held opponents to a stingy 47.7 percent effective-field goal percentage throughout the season.

Custer is the star point guard as a transfer from Iowa State and a former four-star recruit. He shot 46 percent from three-point range on the season, leading a four-out attack that thrived on his dribble penetration and ability to hit teammates for open shots.

Loyola hit 40.1 percent of its three-pointers as a team, which was 13th best in the country.

What seed can Loyola expect?

Loyola is projected as a No. 12 seed in our latest Bracketology update. Right now, the Ramblers are projected to face Ohio State.