The Loyola of Chicago Ramblers team had not won a game on the expansive dance floor of the NCAA men’s basketball since 1985.
Donte Ingram and Sister Jean Dolores-Schmidt ensured that the small private Catholic university located near the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicagoland, filed a legitimate claim in securing a place in the majestical and historical tapestry of the tournament, after a thrilling and hard fought 64-62 upset over #6 seed Miami of Florida. Ingram, a senior, supplied all of the harrowing theatrics with an “ice in his veins” straight away improbable three pointer from 28 feet, which gave Loyola the lead with .3 seconds left in the game, and Sister Dolores-Schmidt provided all of the intangibles needed in a super pre-game interview, as the 98-year-old fan, never lost faith. The storylines are surreal, and the unifying aspects of the breathtaking finish justify the day of lost productivity in the workplace, though many brackets now lay in a state of disrepair, thanks to Ingram and teammates.
The school’s last NCAA victory came in 1985 in a victory over SMU. There is no doubt that the area around campus will be rocking tonight, as Ingram’s dagger already provides a signature moment for this year’s tournament, and there is still a lot of basketball to played before a champion is crowned.