March Madness: NCAA basketball media reacts to Loyola upsetting Illinois
Illinois basketball had no answer for Loyola Chicago and was sent home as the first 1-seed got upset in the NCAA Tournament.
When the brackets were announced, Illinois basketball fans rejoiced after receiving a 1-seed. Then, that excitement turned to nervous apprehension when they looked at their potential Round of 32 game with Loyola Chicago.
Loyola was underseeded as an 8-seed and presented a tough draw for 1-seed Illinois. All the chatter about how unfair it was for both of these programs from the state of Illinois to meet so soon in the NCAA Tournament came to a head on Sunday afternoon.
Illinois fell down in a big hole against Loyola and were never able to dig their way out and the first 1-seed has been eliminated from the NCAA Tournament.
March Madness continues to claim one highly-ranked team after another. The Round of 64 saw double-digit teams win at the highest clip and the carnage continues in the Round of 32.
For as great of a season the Fighting Illini had behind All-American Ayo Dosunmu, all they have to show for it is a Big Ten Tournament championship and an early exit from the NCAA Tournament.
The college basketball media was full of reactions after Loyola pulled off the upset of Illinois,
DO NOT call Loyola Chicago a Cinderella. The Ramblers just dominated Illinois from tip to finish. On to the Sweet 16. A clinic by Porter Moser.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 21, 2021
Not even Sister Jean has this one! Wow! Illinois never guarded Cameron Krutwig, and he cut them up. Amazing.
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) March 21, 2021
https://twitter.com/NicoleAuerbach/status/1373700281775587328
Loyola Chicago, everyone. #8 in the NCAA Tournament's seeding, #9 in the nation.
— /r/CollegeBasketball (@redditCBB) March 21, 2021
The Illinois fans have begun a silent exit. Feel for them; best team in 16 years runs into a 3 seed dressed as an 8.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) March 21, 2021
I’d ask if Illinois has a prayer but when you consider it had its miracle in 2005 against Arizona and Sister Jean is on the other side, well, we know the answer.
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) March 21, 2021
the story of this game is that one team played non-stop blistering intense defense for 40 minutes and the other team did synchronized floor-slaps while getting torched by a divorced HVAC repair guy with 3 kids
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) March 21, 2021
My advice to teams looking for coaches:
— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) March 21, 2021
Might want to throw all your monies at Porter Moser
Can't pretend that this ending doesn't suck, but this was the most enjoyable Illinois basketball season I've experienced since 2005. Wasn't the dream ending, but I love this team. I-L-L! 🧡💙
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) March 21, 2021
Illinois, WYD? pic.twitter.com/NfnZTYI9as
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) March 21, 2021
Just when you thought your bracket couldn’t get much worse, Loyola Chicago upsets Illinois 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ipwIYfPS9A
— ESPN (@espn) March 21, 2021
This is March.
Next. 20 biggest upsets in the history of March Madness. dark
For more NCAA basketball news, analysis and opinion, check out more from the FanSided college basketball section to stay on top of the latest action.