The first seed No. 1 of the NCAA men’s tournament fell. The March Madness braces were eliminated from coast to coast and in countries around the world when Illinois Fighting Illini lost to Loyola Chicago Ramblers 71-58 on Sunday, removing Big Ten tournament champions and a popular Final Four from the field. .
Thirty-four of ESPN’s 38 college basketball experts chose Illinois to represent the Midwest in the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 3, and their defeat leaves Houston Cougars as the top team in the region.
But Sunday’s result also raises the profile and possibilities of Loyola, who made it to the Final Four in San Antonio in 2018 and may have rediscovered her magic (with the team’s chaplain, Sister Jean, the face of the program, looking on). ESPN.com’s team of college basketball writers reflected on the reasons and significance of the Illinois loss, projecting how far the Ramblers can go and whether we will see the Illini back in the No. 1 seed line soon. Follow this link for tips on NCAA tournament schedules and visit here to check your March Madness key.
What sank Illinois in its defeat to Loyola Chicago?
Loyola Chicago installed a clinic at both ends of the floor. Illinois’ heavy ball screen attack had very little room to operate because Loyola took a big hit on the runway and forced Illini to shoot mid-range shots – and the runway seemed to be clogged whenever Ayo Dosunmu or Andre Curbelo tried to get things done the jump going to the edge. Dosunmu was released for a drive to the basket maybe twice, and one was in a communication failure on the part of Loyola’s defense, while Curbelo had some rotation problems when trying to create a spark in the second half.
Illinois also lost some open 3s that would have forced Loyola to extend his defense, and Kofi Cockburn struggled to finish early when Loyola was increasing his lead. Dosunmu, arguably the best offensive weapon in the country, had nine points from 10 shots and six turns. In other words, everything went wrong.
At the other end, Illinois allowed Loyola to execute his attack very easily. Fighting Illini rarely put pressure on the entire court or extended his midfield defense and was never too small to try to get the rhythm out of Porter Möster’s team. And, of course, Cameron Krutwig. He was a magician on Sunday. Cockburn really couldn’t handle Krutwig’s cunning and passing ability. Krutwig finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds and five assists and was the best player on the field. Much credit goes to Moser too. Leaving time limits, Loyola was a clinician when he needed to be. The Ramblers never lost – it was a tremendous performance for the Valley champions.
– Jeff Borzello
What does Big Ten’s performance in this tournament so far say about the quality of the league? Nothing?
We debate this same issue every year in the Playoff of College Football with Big Ten, who has not won a national title since the 2014 season (Ohio State). It is always obvious, in the final stages of the season, that the Big Ten has the talent of football to compete with most of the field, but always falls short of the true candidates for the national title. I don’t think it’s any different in Big Ten with men’s basketball.
There are not enough high-level talent in the league. Not consistently, at least. That means you can build great teams, but it will be 20 years (Michigan State won the most recent national title in the Big Ten in 2000) without cutting the nets. The Big Ten, by RealGM, has produced 12 first-round picks since the 2016 NBA draft. In the 2020 NBA draft alone, six SEC players were selected in the first round, and 12 in total.
The Big Ten has been the standard of the regular season in college basketball for the past few years, and several teams have played on Final Fours since the Michigan State match in 2000. But without a more fruitful pipeline, the league will continue to find itself in battles against the ambitious, experienced underdogs who have a similar talent pool in the postseason. Ohio State needed more talent in the final stretch against Oral Roberts. Purdue needed someone like Carsen Edwards against North Texas. And the difference between an Illinois team with two NBA chances and a Loyola-Chicago team led by midfielder Cameron Krutwig was not as big as it looked on paper.
Without a national title this season – or at least a race to the Final Four – it will be difficult for the Big Ten to shake the idea that it is one of America’s best leagues in the regular season, but not when it counts in the postseason.
– Myron Medcalf
What are the historical implications of the loss of Illinois? Where does this rank on Illini’s fan disappointment list?
Fighting Illini operates with a regularity that can only be mapped by Stonehenge. Every 16 years, they say, the program forms a team that can compete for a national title. In 1989, it was “Flying Illini”, with Nick Anderson, Kendall Gill and Kenny Battle. That dream died in the Final Four, courtesy of a basket from Sean Higgins to Michigan. Then, in 2005, Dee Brown, Deron Williams and company faced North Carolina in the national title game. Here we are again, 16 years later.
This “16 year old” theory, however, conveniently leaves out a team with the best seeds in 2001, under the command of new coach Bill Self. This team had to play, and lose to, an unusually strong No. 2 seed, Arizona in Elite Eight. Losing to Loyola Chicago looks more like that defeat 20 years ago. The Ramblers were perhaps misjudged, as Illini’s shocked and taciturn fans were already tweeting with anger in the first half. Losing early in the round of 16 is a new turnaround, but Porter Moser’s group was clearly the top team. The defeat reinforces the fact that the Ramblers are the only program in the state of Illinois to win a national title (1963). Illinois fans should wait patiently for 2037 or, perhaps, a better day before that.
– John Gasaway
In her recent SportsCenter interview, Sister Jean specifically noted that the Ramblers’ had the defense to beat Illinois. And if they do, there is no one on this piece of paper [her bracket] that they cannot defeat. “The rest of the Midwest Region should be scared. Very scared.
More specifically, the Ramblers will now face the state of Oregon or the state of Oklahoma in Sweet 16. Loyola, seed No. 8, would be the favorite against No. 12 beavers. Against the State of Oklahoma, who can say that the Ramblers could not smother Cade Cunningham in the same way that they handcuffed Illinois star Ayo Dosunmu?
In addition, Sister Jean has Loyola in her Elite Eight. Who are we to argue?
– Joe Lunardi
What is the roof of Loyola Chicago? Can Ramblers make their second trip to the Final Four in four years?
Loyola just beat an opponent ranked No. 2 by the AP and KenPom. The Ramblers completely overcame Illinois from the first minute of the game and were clearly a superior team. Porter Moser’s group is therefore a clear threat to reach the Final Four for the second time in three tournaments. The victory over Illini showed how this team can stand out both on the defensive side (first half) and on the attack (second). Cameron Krutwig creates big problems in the attack with his post movements and, especially, his passes. With 6 feet-9, he is able to take the ball off the open floor of an All-American guard like Ayo Dosunmu. The country must prepare for more Sister Jean, because this team has everything to arrive in April.
– John Gasaway
Who do we expect back to Illinois – will the Illini have potential for 1 seed again in 2021-22?
Everyone can theoretically return, so the potential for doing so is there. But it is highly unlikely. Dosunmu is a choice designed for the first round of this year’s NBA draft, while Cockburn also put his name on last year’s draft before returning to Champaign. Both can leave for the professional ranks this spring. Trent Frazier and Da’Monte Williams are veterans who may decide that their university careers are over. Compared to last season, when Brad Underwood brought in impact guards Adam Miller and Andre Curbelo, Fighting Illini is not bringing in a loaded recruiting class. Luke Goode and Ramses Melendez are solid strikers who should be rotating players, but they are unlikely to change the game in the first year.
Miller and Curbelo showed flashes of their potential this season, and the team is expected to tour the freshmen next season. Miller was a high school ball master and a borderline choice projected in the first round when he entered college, so he should have no problem becoming a nice guy. Curbelo has shown several times this season that he has a spark with the ball in his hands that few players have. It may be one of the best college basketball backcourts. That said, I don’t see Illini returning to the 1-seed conversation, except for surprising decisions by Dosunmu and Cockburn.
– Jeff Borzello