Loyola Ramblers: With Both Eyes Forward to 2019, There’s No Looking Back

What will the 2018-19 season hold for the Loyola Ramblers, a surprising Cinderella story that fell one game short of a National Championship berth?

While the Michigan Wolverines and Villanova Wildcats will battle for NCAA supremacy tonight, the dust has long settled for the beloved Loyola Ramblers. Everyone has finally been able to digest the results of Saturday’s heartbreaking loss. It certainly doesn’t come without disappointment.

In a perfect world, the Loyola Ramblers basketball team would’ve held on in the second half and defeated Michigan. But the reality is that the Wolverines were perhaps a more talented team and a matchup nightmare. Moving forward for the Ramblers, there is some solace despite suffering the season-ending loss.

The story of the tournament

First and foremost, in a sea of incredible stories and upsets this March, they found themselves at the forefront. We saw for the first time ever a 16 seed upend a one seed (in definitive fashion no less) not to mention a flurry of high seeds go down early. Teams like Arizona, North Carolina, Virginia, Xavier, and Wichita State were all shown the door by the end of week one.

The Ramblers certainly had a hand in all of this, downing high seeds like Miami and Tennessee out of the gate. When you think about the 2018 edition of March Madness, the first team you’ll think of Loyola. You’ll think of their magical journey to the Final Four. You’ll remember names like Ingram and Custer, not to mention international icon Sister Jean.

Future of the program?

It may be a challenge for Porter Moser and his group to try and run it back next year. But the good news is that the cupboards won’t be entirely barren.

They will lose MVC Defensive Player of the Year Ben Richardson, Aundre Jackson, and Donte Ingram. All three were major contributors this season and during their tournament run.

On the flip side, they do retain three starters: MVC Player of the Year Clayton Custer, Marques Townes, and Cameron Krutwig. Moser will also likely look to those three plus freshman Lucas Williamson and sophomore guards Cameron Satterwhite and Bruno Skokna to pick up where they left off.

As for fresh blood, Moser collected three-star talents in center Franklin Agunanne, shooting guard Cooper Kaifes, and point guard Isaiah Bujdoso.

Lots of teams who pull off these Cinderella runs tend to fade away the following year. Loyola can buck that trend, although a lot of their success next year will depend on the development of their current team members.

Culture

To close things out, one word that has become synonymous with the Loyola Ramblers is ‘culture’. In fact, it’s been tossed around a lot over the last week or so when talking about what Porter Moser has done since his arrival.

In fact, if you looked at their warm-up shirts, you’d see the phrase “Created by Culture”. What does that even mean?

Assistant Athletic Director Bill Behrns told CBS Chicago: “Our success is driven by such an incredible culture with this team—culture on the floor, preparing, attention to detail, how we conduct ourselves off the court.”

A big preacher of the culture he instilled, Moser was seen consoling Richardson after the loss to Michigan:

As hard as this was for Richardson, Moser was right spot on. Losing Saturday night stung. But what the team was able to accomplish was nothing short of legendary. All more the reason to keep your head held high. Richardson and the rest of the team truly did change the course of this program. All while wearing the culture that the program was built on their sleeves.

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Until next time…

It is possible that this article would’ve been a preview of the championship game versus Villanova. The Ramblers were that close to victory. But would it be a surprise if they did? After all, they had a system that was working. A hard, hustling defense to go with a San Antonio Spurs-like pass-happy offense. Not to mention they had all the March Madness Magic in the world.

But perhaps that happens in an alternative reality. For now, the Ramblers are back in the Windy City and are already getting prepared for next season. No longer will they be considered Cinderella.

Because we all know who they are.

They’re the Loyola Ramblers: Heartbreakers and Lifetakers.