Loyola Ramblers men's basketball

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Loyola Ramblers
Basketball current event.svg 2024–25 Loyola Ramblers men's basketball team
Loyola Ramblers wordmark.svg
University Loyola University Chicago
First season1914
All-time record1,317–1,151 (.534)
Head coach Drew Valentine (4th season)
Conference Atlantic 10
Location Chicago, Illinois
Arena Joseph J. Gentile Arena
(capacity: 4,486)
Nickname Ramblers
Student sectionThe Pack
ColorsMaroon and gold [1]
   
Uniforms
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Home
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Away


NCAA tournament champions
1963
NCAA tournament Final Four
1963, 2018
NCAA tournament Elite Eight
1963, 2018
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
1963, 1964, 1985, 2018, 2021
NCAA tournament round of 32
1985, 2018, 2021
NCAA tournament appearances
1963, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1985, 2018, 2021, 2022
Conference tournament champions
1985, 2018, 2021, 2022
Conference regular season champions
1980, 1983, 1985, 1987, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024

The Loyola Ramblers men's basketball team represents Loyola University Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. The Ramblers participate as members of the Atlantic 10 Conference. [2] The Ramblers had joined the Missouri Valley Conference in 2013, [3] and stayed until 2022. Prior to 2013, the team had spent 34 seasons as a charter member of the Horizon League. [4]

Contents

In 1963, Loyola won the 1963 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament (then the "NCAA University Division") men's basketball national championship under the leadership of All-American Jerry Harkness, defeating two-time defending champion Cincinnati 60–58 in overtime in the title game. All five starters for the Ramblers played the entire championship game without substitution.

Surviving team members were honored on July 11, 2013, at the White House to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their victory. The entire team was inducted in November of that year in the College Basketball Hall of Fame. As of 2023, Loyola remains the only school from the state of Illinois to win a men's Division I basketball NCAA tournament. [5] Loyola's first-round regional victory over Tennessee Tech on March 11, 1963, remains a record for margin of victory (69 points) for any NCAA men's basketball tournament game.

The team gained national publicity again in 2018, as a result of both their Cinderella Story-esque performance in the tournament, in which they upset numerous teams to reach the Final Four as an 11-seed, tying for the lowest seed ever to do so, and the cultural popularity of their team chaplain, the then-98-year-old nun Sister Jean. [6]

As of February 17, 2021, the team had achieved its highest Kenpom ranking ever, at number nine in the country, with the number one ranked defense. [7]

History

Racial integration

Loyola's Jerry Harkness shaking hands with Mississippi State's Joe Dan Gold ahead of the Game of Change in 1963 Jerry Harkness and Joe Dan Gold shake hands (Clarion-Ledger 1963-03-17).jpg
Loyola's Jerry Harkness shaking hands with Mississippi State's Joe Dan Gold ahead of the Game of Change in 1963

The Loyola University Chicago teams of the early 1960s, coached by George Ireland, are thought to be responsible for ushering in a new era of racial equality in the sport by shattering all remaining color barriers in NCAA men's basketball. Beginning in 1961, Loyola broke the longstanding gentlemen's agreement (not to play more than three black players at any given time), putting as many as four black players on the court at every game. [8] For the 1962–63 season, Ireland played four black Loyola starters in every game. That season, Loyola also became the first team in NCAA Division I history to play an all-black lineup, doing so in a game against Wyoming on December 29, 1962. [9] In that season's NCAA tournament, Loyola defeated the all-white team of then-segregated Mississippi State by a score of 61–51, a game especially notable because the Bulldogs defied a state court order prohibiting them from playing against a school with black players. The game has since been dubbed the "Game of Change" in popular culture.

In 1963, Loyola shocked the nation and changed college basketball forever by starting four black players in the NCAA championship game. [10] Loyola's stunning upset of two-time defending NCAA champion Cincinnati, in overtime by a score of 60–58, was the crowning achievement in the school's nearly decade long struggle with racial inequality in men's college basketball, highlighted by the tumultuous events of that year's NCAA Tournament. [11] Loyola's 1963 NCAA title was historic not only for the racial makeup of Loyola's team, but also due to the fact that Cincinnati had started three black players, making seven of the 10 starters in the 1963 NCAA Championship game black. [12]

Home venues

The team's original home venue was the on-campus Alumni Gym. However, Loyola later moved to play their games at DePaul University's Alumni Hall, and subsequently moved around, with stints at Northwestern University's McGaw Memorial Hall (today known as Welsh Ryan Arena), the University of Illinois at Chicago's Illinois-Chicago Pavilion, and the Chicago Stadium. [13] [14] From 1987 until 1989, Loyola played at the International Amphitheatre, but suffered poor attendance at that venue. [13] [15] From 1989 until 1994, the team played at the Rosemont Horizon (today known as the "Allstate Arena"), but suffered low attendance at the venue and moved back to the on-campus Alumni Gym in 1994. [15] [16] In 1996, the team moved into their current on-campus home, the Joseph J. Gentile Arena, which replaced Alumni Hall. [14] [17]

Postseason

NCAA tournament results

The Ramblers have appeared in eight NCAA tournaments. Their combined record is 15–7. They were National Champions in 1963. [10] On March 24, 2018, the Ramblers defeated Kansas State 78–62 to advance to play in their second Final Four in school history. [18]

YearSeedRoundOpponentResult
1963 –Round of 25
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship		Tennessee Tech
Mississippi State
Illinois
Duke
Cincinnati		W 111–42
W 61–51
W 79–64
W 94–75
W 60–58
1964 –Round of 25
Sweet Sixteen
Regional 3rd Place Game		Murray State
Michigan
Kentucky		W 101–91
L 80–84
W 100–91
1966 –Round of 22Western KentuckyL 86–105
1968 –Round of 23HoustonL 76–94
1985 #4First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		#13 Iona
#5 SMU
#1 Georgetown		W 59–58
W 70–57
L 53–65
2018 #11First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four		#6 Miami (FL)
#3 Tennessee
#7 Nevada
#9 Kansas State
#3 Michigan		W 64–62 [19]
W 63–62 [20]
W 69–68
W 78–62
L 57–69
2021 #8First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		#9 Georgia Tech
#1 Illinois
#12 Oregon State		W 71–60
W 71–58
L 58–65
2022 #10First Round#7 Ohio StateL 41–54

NIT results

The Ramblers have appeared in six National Invitation Tournaments. They reached the championship game twice, and won the third place consolation game once. Their combined record is 6–6.

YearRoundOpponentResult
1939 Semifinals
Championship Game		St. John's
Long Island		W 51–46
L 32–44
1949 First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship Game		CCNY
Kentucky
Bradley
San Francisco		W 62–47
W 61–56
W 55–50
L 47–48
1962 Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Third Place		Temple
Dayton
Duquesne		W 75–64
L 82–98
W 95–84
1980 First RoundIllinoisL 87–105
2019 First RoundCreightonL 61–70
2024 First RoundBradleyL 62–74

CBI results

The Ramblers have appeared in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) once, winning it in 2015. Their record is 5–0.

YearRoundOpponentResult
2015 First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship Game 1
Championship Game 2		Rider
Oral Roberts
Seattle
Louisiana–Monroe
Louisiana–Monroe		W 62–59
W 86–78
W 63–48
W 65–58
W 63–62

Retired numbers

As of 2022, eight players have had their jerseys retired by the school.

John Egan portrait 1963.jpg
Jerry Harkness 1963 basketball portrait.jpg
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Fltr: John Egan, Jerry Harkness, and Les Hunter, whose numbers 11, 15, and 41 were retired by Loyola
Loyola Ramblers retired numbers
No.PlayerCareerRef.
3Nick Kladis1949–52 [21] [22]
11 John Egan 1961–64 [21]
15 Jerry Harkness 1960–63 [21]
20 LaRue Martin 1969–72 [23]
21 Alfredrick Hughes 1981–85 [24]
40 Vic Rouse 1961–64 [21]
41 Les Hunter 1961–64 [21]
42Ron Miller1961–64 [21] [25]

Awards

All-Americans

Academic All-Americans

MCC/Missouri Valley Coach of the Year

MCC/Horizon League/Missouri Valley Player of the Year

MCC/Horizon League/Missouri Valley First Team

MCC/Horizon League/Missouri Valley Second Team

Missouri Valley Conference Third Team

MCC/Horizon League/Missouri Valley All-Defensive Team

MCC/Horizon League/Missouri Valley Newcomer of the Year

MCC/Horizon League/Missouri Valley All-Newcomer Team

Missouri Valley Freshman of the Year

Missouri Valley All-Freshman Team

Missouri Valley Sixth Man of the Year

Missouri Valley Defensive MVP

MCC/Horizon League/Missouri Valley Tournament MVP

MCC/Horizon League/Missouri Valley All-Tournament Team

Ramblers in the NBA draft

YearPlayerTeamRound
1949 Jack Kerris ChicagoSecond
1952Nick KladisPhiladelphiaThird
1962 Jerry Harkness SyracuseEighth
1963Jerry HarknessNew YorkSecond
1964 Les Hunter DetroitSecond
1964 Vic Rouse CincinnatiSeventh
1964Ron MillerBaltimoreSeventh
1966Billy SmithCincinnatiNinth
1968Jim TillmanChicagoFifth
1968Corky BellChicagoNinth
1970Wade FullerCincinnatiFourth
1970Walter RobertsonClevelandEighth
1972 LaRue Martin PortlandFirst
1976Ralph VallotWashingtonSeventh
1978 Andre Wakefield PhoenixFifth
1979 Larry Knight UtahFirst
1980LeRoy StampleyPhoenixFourth
1981Kevin SprewerUtahSixth
1982Wayne SappletonGolden StateSecond
1982 Darius Clemons San DiegoFourth
1985 Alfredrick Hughes San AntonioFirst
1985Andre BattleBostonThird
1987Andre MooreDenverSecond
1987Bernard JacksonPortlandSixth

Ramblers players in the NBA/ABA

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References

  1. ↑ Loyola Chicago Athletics Style Guide (PDF). July 23, 2019. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  2. ↑ "Atlantic 10 Conference Accepts Loyola University Chicago as Full Member Institution" (Press release). Atlantic 10 Conference. November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Loyola Joins Missouri Valley Conference Loyola University Chicago Official Athletic Site". Loyolaramblers.com. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Horizon League Men's Basketball Record Book" (PDF). amazonaws.com. Amazon sports Record books. Horizon League. Retrieved August 23, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Loyola to celebrate 50th anniversary of title". ESPN.com. February 16, 2013. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
  6. ↑ Kenyon, David (March 24, 2018). "Loyola-Chicago Earns Place Among All-Time Cinderellas with Trip to Final Four". Bleacher Report. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  7. ↑ "2021 Pomeroy College Basketball Rankings". February 17, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Review: Glory Road, Sports Movie Awards". MichaelPeters.blogspot.com. February 21, 2006. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  9. ↑ John C. Thomas. "Loyola Basketball History". ramblermania.com. Archived from the original on February 6, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  10. 1 2 Khan, Sam (March 15, 2018). "Loyola-Chicago recalls 1963 champions as it pulls off buzzer-beater win". ESPN . Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  11. ↑ "ESPNU, ESPN Classic Airs 25 Most Defining Moments in NCAA History". Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  12. ↑ Tom Graham; Rachel Graham Cody (2006). Getting Open: The Unknown Story of Bill Garrett and the Integration of College Basketball . Atria Books. ISBN   9780743479035.
  13. 1 2 Hanley, Reid (November 29, 1987). "Loyola Wins Amphitheatre Opener". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  14. 1 2 Jauss, Bill (April 13, 1995). "Loyola to Build a New Basketball Home". Chicago Tribune.
    • Jauss, Bill (April 13, 1995). "Loyola to build a new basketball home" . Chicago Tribune. p. Sect. 4 page 1. Retrieved January 18, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
    • Jauss, Bill (April 13, 1995). "Loyola" . Chicago Tribune. p. Sect. 4 page 2. Retrieved January 18, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  15. 1 2 Jauss, Bill (November 15, 1989). "Rey's small Ramblers face a big challenge" . Chicago Tribune – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ Jauss, Bill (April 20, 1994). "Rambling Cross-Town to Loyola". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Facilities". Loyola University Chicago Athletics. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  18. ↑ Hermann, Adam (March 24, 2018). "Loyola Chicago clinched its first Final Four berth in 55 years with array of memorable moments". NCAA.com. National Collegiate Athletic Association . Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Buzzer-beater lifts Loyola-Chicago over Miami in NCAA return". ESPN. Associated Press. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Prayer answered again: Loyola tops Tennessee on late jumper". ESPN. Associated Press. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 1963 NCAA Champions on Loyola Ramblers
  22. ↑ Nick Kladis - Hall of Fame at Loyola Ramblers
  23. ↑ LaRue Martin - Hall of Fame at Loyola Ramblers
  24. ↑ Alfredrick Hughes - Hall of Fame at Loyola Ramblers
  25. ↑ Ron Miller - Hall of Fame at Loyola Ramblers
  26. ↑ "Blake Schilb Named Honorable Mention All-America". Loyola University Chicago. March 28, 2006. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Loyola's Porter Moser Earns MVC Coach of the Year Honor". Missouri Valley Conference. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  28. ↑ Ryan, Shannon (March 1, 2018). "Loyola's Porter Moser named coach of the year in the Missouri Valley Conference". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 "Horizon League Player of the Year Winners". Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
  30. ↑ Ryan, Shannon (February 27, 2018). "Loyola's Clayton Custer named MVC player of the year". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
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