Loyola must take control of conference
Loyola coach Porter Moser stood in front of a cheering section, squatting and clapping vigorously. Outside the Gentile Arena tunnel, after a hug with 99-year-old team chaplain Sister Jean, the energetic coach jumped within inches of fans waiting behind a roped-off section to join their cheers.
“I kept saying thank you to the crowd,” Moser said. “I wasn’t celebratory. I was pumped people came back during a snowstorm and we’re not back from the semester break yet. It would have looked like a quarantine game four or five years ago. I was just running around thanking people.”
The Ramblers should feel thankful to escape Saturday’s game against Illinois State. Just four games into the Missouri Valley Conference schedule, the enthralling 67-64 victory against the Redbirds felt meaningful.
With snow falling outside as a reminder that they’re getting into the thick of the season, the game might not have been a must-win, but it certainly mattered. It mattered for both teams trying to turn a corner and find consistency.
Loyola entered the season fresh off a banner Final Four year that had the city buzzing with many (including me) arguing they deserved a Top 25 ranking entering 2018-19. Illinois State was considered a serious threat to dethrone Loyola in the league with enough returning talent to be the 2019 version of the Ramblers.
Neither lived up to expectations at the start of the season, but both teams looked like they could make a run in the Valley.
Illinois State (9-8, 2-2 MVC) went 1-4 in December, concluding the nonconference season with a rocky 7-6 record despite an experienced roster. The Ramblers (10-7, 3-1) were shocked by Fur-
man in the second game and also finished the nonconference slate 7-6, trying to find footing after losing stars from last season’s Final Four squad.
Moser’s message to his team after beating Illinois State: “Put it in the bank.”
In previous seasons, Loyola and Illinois State each had arguments to make as automatic qualifiers for the NCAA tournament. But it’s clear that this season the league is a one-bid conference. Establishing dominance in the league is crucial before the conference tournament.
It’s doubtful any team will win the league by four games like the Ramblers did last season.
So if the victory against Illinois State felt important, Tuesday’s home game against MVC leader Valparaiso (11-6, 4-0) could be especially defining.
Loyola’s Marques Townes led the way Saturday with 21 points on 9-of-18 shooting. The Ramblers, who shot 50 percent for the game, didn’t have a turnover in the first half and scored 18 points off 13 miscues by the Redbirds.
After an ugly 67-48 loss at Evansville last Tuesday, Loyola focused on defensive intensity in practices and keying in on the Redbirds’ most dangerous shooters.
It paid off. The Ramblers didn’t make a field goal in the last 6 minutes, 16 seconds and whiffed on their final six shots.
After a Redbirds dunk by Matt Chastain tied the game 61-61 with 3:37 remaining, Loyola locked in defensively and converted key free throws down the stretch. While the Ramblers couldn’t get a shot to fall, they didn’t falter defensively as the Redbirds missed three shots (two of which were rebounded by Cameron Krutwig) and turned the ball over twice.
“I feel like we’re so locked in on defensive sets,” Townes said. “Offense is going to come, but we’re going to win it down on defense.”
After Aher Uguak missed two free throws, Clayton Custer and Lucas Williamson converted six straight in the last 1:38.
Illinois State’s Zach Copeland missed a potentially overtime-forcing 3-pointer at the buzzer, and the Gentile Arena celebrated. Malik Yarbrough led Illinois State with 19 points and 10 rebounds on 7-of-11 shooting.
Moser’s lesson from the victory for the team could apply for the rest of the season, especially for a team that has a target on its back in the Valley.
“You know you’re going to keep taking punches from Illinois State,” he said. “I like how we responded, stayed with it and found a way to win. Every time you win close games it gives you confidence.”
Muller said he’s encouraged by his team’s effort in conference play. Perspective will be an important reminder in a league that promises to be tight.
“It’s really about our improved defensive toughness and execution,” he said. “The success of this team is all going to come down to the defensive end. Our two road losses have been tough. You can feel like, ‘Oh, man, it’s so terrible.’ It’s one of 18 games.”
Without a clear favorite in the league, every one of those games is going to matter.