Illinois Fighting Illini Basketball: Heartbreaking loss sends them home

You know that when Sister Jean brings her Loyola University of Chicago Men’s Basketball team to the NCAA March Madness tournament, they are ready to play. The University of Illinois Fighting Illini simply was not as ready. It was clear Illinois is the more talented team but the Ramblers are a much more feisty team. Going into the game, the consensus was that if both teams were at their best, Illinois would win.

It was also clear that if Illinois wasn’t ready and Loyola was, the Ramblers would have a chance. Well, they had more than a chance as they flat out beat them. The final score was 71-58 which is a pretty crazy margin for an eight seed defeating a one seed. Loyola deserves so much credit for the way they played and they deserve every ounce of credit.

Illinois was just outplayed from the very beginning of the game. It felt like they could come back at any time because of how good they are on paper but Loyola really never let it get in danger of slipping away. They hit clutch shots and played defense when it mattered most.

It is something that was their strength all year long. They don’t really have that one tournament superstar player but they play a solid team game. Hitting the shots they take and playing good defense is their key. Illinois didn’t really have an answer for any of it and that is why we are where we are.

We can only hope that, despite some big changes to their roster next year, they will be back in a similar position. They weren’t very good for a long time and then started to show that they can be the elite basketball program that they once were in 2020 before the pandemic. Now, it is up to Brad Underwood and his staff to keep this thing going for a long time.

As for Loyola, they are a really easy team to cheer for. Sister Jean and her crew have captured the hearts of America before. Now, they looked poised to do it again. They are going to face Oregon State in the Sweet 16. Oregon State got there with a major upset over Oklahoma State.

Loyola got there as an eight seed by beating a one seed and Oregon State got there as a 12 seed beating a four seed. It is certainly going to be a fun game for all fans of college basketball. It is extremely tough, however, that the Illini had to go out this way. Hopefully, they come out next year better than ever.