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Loyola Ramblers win their first ever Missouri Valley Conference title

By Neil Harrington

TERRE HAUTE, IN - FEBRUARY 10: Loyola (Chicago) Ramblers guard Donte Ingram (0) shoots a free throw during the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) college basketball game between the Loyola (Chicago) Ramblers and the Indiana State Sycamores on February 10, 2018, at the Hulman Center in Terre Haute, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TERRE HAUTE, IN - FEBRUARY 10: Loyola (Chicago) Ramblers guard Donte Ingram (0) shoots a free throw during the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) college basketball game between the Loyola (Chicago) Ramblers and the Indiana State Sycamores on February 10, 2018, at the Hulman Center in Terre Haute, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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In only their fifth year in the Missouri Valley Conference, the Loyola Ramblers win their first MVC regular season title in program history.

The Missouri Valley Conference absorbed a terrible blow when its powerhouse school the Creighton Bluejays jumped shipped and joined the “new” Big East Conference following the 2012-13 NCAA College basketball season. Commissioner Doug Elgin then announced that the Loyola Ramblers from the Horizon League, a decision met with severe scrutiny at the time.

The Ramblers now have the last laugh, earning their first-ever Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title — after routing second-place Southern Illinois by 19 points, on the road Wednesday night. Picked third in the MVC preseason rankings, the Ramblers made quick work of the two teams picked ahead of them in Missouri State and Northern Iowa — who both will finish in the bottom fourth of the MVC standings.

For years, Loyola has been overshadowed by the likes of the Chicago Bulls, Northwestern, Depaul, and the University of Illinois. However, with Illinois college hoops teams struggling, the Ramblers have used their woes to their own benefit, generating buzz and excitement in the Windy City. For the first time in school history, (Joseph J.) Gentile Arena will be sold out for their final home game against Illinois State this Saturday.

As fate has it, head coach Porter Moser played at Creighton, but the Bluejays are now an afterthought with the resurgence of the Loyola program and the Ramblers now reigning supreme at the top of the MVC mountaintop. If losing Creighton wasn’t enough, the Wichita State Shockers jumped ship and left for the newly formed American Athletic Conference — with the MVC in a state of “shock” after losing their two best programs.

Loyola’s taken advantage of Wichita State’s absence and is not apologizing for it either. In fact, they are overwhelmed with excitement, and they just can’t hide. Porter Moser and his squad celebrated in style within the visitor’s locker room in Carbondale and fans could likely hear them all the way in Chicago.

The last time Loyola made the NCAA tournament, Ronald Reagan was president and REO Speedwagon topped the Billboard Hot 100 with their song Can’t Stop This Feeling. Now, the Ramblers may be dancing like it’s1985, when they reached the Sweet 16 under head coach Gene Sullivan. Loyola also boasts an NCAA Tournament championship in 1963, defeating (ironically) the MVC champion Cincinnati Bearcats.

Now, the Ramblers have their sights set on March Madness of 2018, but still, have work to do. We aren’t sleeping on them, giving Loyola a No. 7 seed in our latest Bracketology rankings.

Unfortunately, most “experts” believe they have to win the MVC tournament to get into the field of 68, which is ridiculous. Looking at their resume, they boast only one marquee win in Gainesville over Florida — back when the Gators were ranked number five in the nation.

Outside of an opening day victory over Horizon League leader Wright State, their resume isn’t that impressive. But, the MVC is the eighth-ranked conference in the RPI, and the Ramblers now boast an RPI of 33 after their huge road win at Southern Illinois. With a record of 24-5 (14-3 MVC) to go along with those other accomplishments.

Winning the league by three, maybe four games may create enough separation for the Ramblers to steal an at-large bid — if it’s needed. The MVC tournament, known as Arch Madness, won’t be easy — with any team 1-10 capable of winning the whole thing. That’s how balanced the league’s been all season long.

Next: Our latest NCAA Basketball Bracketology

Hopefully, the selection committee will look at the fact that the Ramblers suffered three of their five losses without one or both of their two starting backcourt of Ben Richardson and Clayton Custer. Plus, Loyola meets the “eye-test” and is worthy of a March Madness selection, regardless of if they win their conference tournament.

But for now, congratulations to the Loyola Ramblers on their first regular season title in over thirty years and hopefully we’ll see them busting brackets left and right come March Madness time!