Titans grad plays key role in March Madness run
Uguak tasked with helping teammates on Loyola-Chicago prepare for games
Harry Ainlay Titans head coach George Hoyt has been watching the NCAA basketball tournament for more than 30 years and his favourite team is the Duke Blue Devils.
But this year, you may have seen him around the city wearing a University of Loyola-Chicago Ramblers hat.
He isn’t just jumping on the bandwagon of the Ramblers, who have destroyed millions of college basketball fans’ brackets as they and their 98-year-old team chaplain, Sister Jean, have won over the hearts of basketball fans on their Cinderella run to the NCAA tournament Final Four as the No. 11 seed.
Hoyt has a personal connection to the team that not many basketball fans knew about before this unlikely run.
For the first time ever, Edmonton has a basketball player who is taking part in the Final Four.
Hoyt coached former Titans small forward Aher Uguak, who is in his redshirt season with LoyolaChicago.
“Aher’s already given me two hats and my wife fights me over the one, but I’ve worn the hats proudly this year,” said Hoyt.
The Ramblers will face the No.3 seeded Michigan Wolverines on Saturday with a berth in the NCAA national championship on the line.
Loyola-Chicago is only the fourth 11th seed to reach a Final Four in tournament history and is looking to become the first-ever 11th seed to reach the national championship.
“It’s a proud moment for me as his former coach, but it also should be a proud moment for anyone involved in basketball in this city and this province,” said Hoyt.
After initially earning a fouryear scholarship to the University of New Mexico, Uguak transferred to Loyola-Chicago.
Despite being a redshirt — a student-athlete who can practise with the team but can’t compete in games — Uguak is playing a pivotal role in helping his new school reach historic heights.
“Being a redshirt is a tough job. You have to be able to run the scout defence one day and another role the next and you stay later after every practice. You’re basically preparing your teammates for every game. You’re their opposition,” said Hoyt. “I’ve been pretty connected to the team all year, and I know the coaching staff really makes him feel a big part of this team. Their head coach (Porter Moser) talked about his character wall and he mentioned Aher as just as an important guy as the guys shooting the ball through the hoop.”
Uguak is one of just four Albertans currently playing NCAA basketball. As rare as the accomplishment is, it shows just how difficult it is to not only play at the next level, but have success of this magnitude.
You can be one of Canada’s best NCAA prospects and still get lost in the shuffle down in the NCAA.
In limited action in his first season at New Mexico in 2016-17, Uguak averaged 1.2 points and 0.7 rebounds per game in 19 appearances. It wasn’t a good fit for him on or off the court.
But his impact is being felt in his redshirt year at Loyola-Chicago and it’s expected he could play an even bigger role for them when he starts playing games on the court next year.
“I hope people realize just how hard it is to be an Div. 1 athlete,” said Basketball Alberta executive director Paul Sir, who co-hosts The Basketball Show on TSN 1260. “When you transfer, it often doesn’t work out either, but I really think Aher is going to be very good for (Loyola-Chicago). The Missouri Valley Conference will suit his talents. He has gone into a great situation.”
We’ve seen many Cinderella runs at the NCAA tournament over the years. But many of them fall short in the Sweet 16 or Elite 8. Only three other teams prior to Loyola-Chicago have made it to the Final 4, but Louisiana State (1986), George Mason (2006) and Virginia Commonwealth (2011) failed to move on.
The way this tournament has unfolded, it wouldn’t be a major shock to see the Ramblers make history.
“This tournament really brings out special moments and situations, but what makes this even more special is, statistically speaking, it’s almost an impossible run that Loyola has gone on,” said Sir. “People are seeing this as a Cinderella run and it is, but this team isn’t intimidated by this. They believed they could make this championship run. What’s exciting for Aher is he gets to experience being there at the highest level and be part of this elite group.
“Not many basketball players get to experience a Final Four, and that alone is special.”
It also should be a proud moment for anyone involved in basketball in this city and this province.