Loyola-Chicago Continued Its Cinderella Run By Beating Kansas State And Making The Final Four

For the fourth time in college basketball history, an 11-seed is headed to the Final Four. The Loyola-Chicago Ramblers absolutely obliterated the No. 9 Kansas State Wildcats, 78-62, to make the Final Four for the first time in school history.

It’s been quite the Cinderella run for the Ramblers, a team that was viewed as better than their seeding in the bracket. Loyola-Chicago boasted a stingy defense, an offense that was as efficient as any in the country, and came into the Tournament riding a 10-game winning streak en route to winning the Missouri Valley Conference.

But still, the Ramblers going on a run all the way to the Final Four is something no one saw coming. The team beat three legitimately really good — Miami, Tennessee, and Nevada — and in the Elite Eight, absolutely throttled a Kansas State squad that looked impressive making it to this point as well.

Loyola-Chicago looked like the better team all night, taking a 36-24 lead into the half before opening things up even more in the second half. The Wildcats tried to fight back, but ultimately, the Ramblers were too much. Senior guard Ben Richardson led the way with 23 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Richardson came up big in the second half, as he drilled a three to keep Kansas State at arm’s length.

The team — along with their good luck charm, a 98-year-old nun named Sister Jean who serves as the team chaplain — had captured hearts across the nation because of their run. Even Mr. T is a massive fan of the Ramblers and their postseason success.

With the win, the Ramblers are the champions of the South region and became the first team to punch their ticket to the Final Four in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. They’ll take on the winner of the West region — either No. 3 Michigan or No. 9 Florida State — on March 31 in San Antonio, and will look to become the first 11-seed to make the championship game.