Moser having trouble finding opponents

Loyola’s run to the Final Four last season was both a blessing and a curse.

The international attention showered upon the university was worth millions of dollars. But the postseason run has turned into a scheduling nightmare for coach Porter Moser, who said it’s “almost impossible” to get Power Five teams to consider playing Loyola in a home- and- home series.

“That’s what bothered me the most in this NCAA run — I was getting blamed for not having a super- hard schedule,” Moser said. “And I’m trying my tail off to have a hard schedule.”

Loyola does have one noteworthy date on its nonconference schedule— a rematch with March Madness opponent Nevada, which is predicted to rank in the top 10. But that game is part of the Mountain West- Missouri Valley Challenge.

A source told the Sun- Times that the Ramblers are in the final stages of signing contracts with two opponents who likely will boost their strength of schedule: fellowJesuit school andAtlantic 10 member St. Joseph’s and Big Ten member Maryland. Both of those teams are expected to host Loyola, but it’s unlikely either will reciprocate and play the Ramblers at Gentile Arena, according to the source.

With that, Moser is stuck trying to find at least two more competitive opponents for his nonconference schedule, which is expected to be released next month.

“It’s been a struggle,” he said. “We just don’t get those opportunities. And I’m trying, and it’s impossible to get anybody to say, ‘ I’ll come back.’ So therefore, that leaves me going on to play a buy game, which I’ll go on the road for a dollar amount, and that’s a one- game deal. And it’s very hard to build your schedule with buy games.”