The historic season continues as Loyola players travel to San Antonio for the Final Four. Sandra Torres reports.
Loyola University is just days away from its first Final Four appearance in decades.
The men's basketball team left Chicago Wednesday morning for San Antonio, where they'll take on the University of Michigan Wolverines in the national semifinal on Saturday.
On Tuesday, the Ramblers went through their final workout before departing Chicago for the last leg of the NCAA Tournament. They'll be at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio, so getting there early gives them a chance to get a feel for the court and what it will be like to shoot in a football stadium atmosphere.
nAccording to the school’s website, the term “Ramblers” was used because the team used to travel all across the United States, “rambling” from game to game.
nFans of the team during their last tournament run in 1985 will remember the team’s mascot “Bo Rambler,” which was short for “Hobo.” That mascot was used until 1990, when the university decided it was a bad idea to use a hobo as a mascot and replaced it with the Wolf, who still patrols the sidelines to this day.
nThe wolf is associated with Saint Ignatius of Loyola, according to the school.
nAccording to ESPN Stats and Info, the Ramblers are just the second team to reach the Elite Eight with such a small average margin of victory, joining St. Joseph’s, who accomplished the feat in 1981.
nThe coach of that Illinois team was Bruce Weber, who is now the coach of the Kansas State team that will attempt to end Loyola’s run on Saturday evening.
nNone of those three teams made the championship game of the tournament.
Players said it may take some time to adjust, but they're not concerned.
"I don't think it changes much as long as the basketball court stays the same," guard Lucas Williamson said, adding, "We will come out and execute as well as we can."
"You can't simulate the hoopla," head coach Porter Moser said. "You can't simulate the dome, we haven't played in the dome. Dallas and Atlanta were huge backdrops. It's a bigger backdrop, but it's the same."
The Ramblers became just the fourth 11-seed to reach the Final Four since 1979 on Saturday after defeating Kansas State, 78-62. Prior to this year's NCAA Tournament, Loyola hadn't reached the Final Four since 1963.
Saturday's game begins at 5:09 p.m. CST, airing on TBS.
