The Loyola Ramblers will get to kick off the Final Four on Saturday afternoon when they take on the Michigan Wolverines in the national semifinal.
The NCAA has announced that the Ramblers and Wolverines will square off in San Antonio at 5:09 p.m. next weekend, with the game airing on TBS.
Villanova and the winner of Sunday’s Duke vs. Kansas game will play in the nightcap, approximately 40 minutes after the Loyola game concludes.
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.
The NCAA also says that there will be team-dedicated feeds of the games, with the Ramblers’ taking over TruTV during the Final Four clash. Wolverines fans will get a dedicated feed on TNT during the contest.
The Ramblers will be appearing in their first Final Four game since 1963 when they take on the Wolverines, and will look to take another step toward their first national championship in 55 years.
