2018 Arch Madness
A historic season for Loyola Men's Basketball

Arch Madness Champions

By Seanna Mullen Sumrak

Loyola University Chicago's men's basketball team entered the conference tournament after an already historic 2017-2018 season. The players collected Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) hardware, guaranteed a post-season appearance, and won games like they did the last time they went to the big dance back in 1985.

The Ramblers are the Arch Madness number one seed for the first time since they joined the MVC in 2013.

Loyola traveled to St. Louis for the 2018 Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament as the number one seed, riding a seven-game winning streak. This weekend, they ratcheted up the streak to ten, winning all three tournament games—claiming the tournament title and earning the MVC automatic bid to the NCAA. For the first time in 33 years, Loyola is NCAA tournament-bound!

Donte Ingram, All-MVC Second-Team Player and Loyola senior, adding to his more than 1,000 college-career points.By Rudi Ayasse

2017–18 Season Recap

Not since 1985 has Loyola claimed an outright conference championship. This year, they did it with 25 regular season victories—the most in program history since the 1948-49 team recorded 26 wins. They also earned their first win over a top-five team since 1984 in a thrilling upset away from home over Florida (65-59).

They played the whole season not looking to the championship-clinching matchup or concentrating on the last game’s final score but focusing only on the next game. As Sister Jean said to the Chicago Tribune, “It’s one game at a time for us.” And with that mindset, the Ramblers ended regular season play at home in Gentile Arena, hoisting the MVC Championship trophy in front of a raucous, sold-out crowd.

#1

This year, Loyola sat alone at the top of the Missouri Valley Conference.

25-5

The Ramblers recorded their most regular season wins since the 1948-49 season.

Missouri Valley Conference Specialty Award Winners

Clayton Custer

Player of the Year

Ben Richardson

Defensive Player of the Year

Cameron Krutwig

Freshman of the Year
‘You’ve gotta get special kids that believe they can win. This group, they’re all believers.
— Porter Moser, MVC Coach of the Year

Ramblers in the News

Chicago Tonight

Loyola Ramblers Head to NCAA Tournament, Ending 33-Year Drought

Chicago Tribune

Rise and shine, Loyola Ramblers

NBC Sports

Introducing Cinderella: Loyola-Chicago earns first bid since 1985

Chicago Tribune

Loyola advances to first NCAA tournament since 1985 with MVC championship win over Illinois State

Chicago Tribune

Loyola moves on to MVC tournament championship with 62-54 victory against Bradley

WGN TV

Porter Moser named MVC Coach of the Year

The Game of Change was a historic moment not only for Loyola basketball, but for college basketball and this country—ushering in a dismantling of racial barriers in college athletics. For many, the Game of Change demonstrates the impact of sports, how it brings people together, and how it can create change when those involved challenge the status quo. Read more