Is Loyola an NCAA Title Contender?

[Adunk33]

Krutwig vs Kofi Cockburn will be a really interesting matchup....assuming Loyola gets past GT first

2nd Team All-American vs 3rd Team All-American.

Krut has definitely not played against a dude like that this year. I'm one of the folks hoping Drexel wins over Illannoy...

[DUBulldog]

Krutwig vs Kofi Cockburn will be a really interesting matchup....assuming Loyola gets past GT first

2nd Team All-American vs 3rd Team All-American.

Krut has definitely not played against a dude like that this year. I'm one of the folks hoping Drexel wins over Illannoy...

And, I'm guessing Cockburn hasn't played against a dude like Krutwig. Nobody has, unless they've faced Loyola.

[glm38]

I wouldn't count Krutwig out in any matchup of post players. I remember watching him during the final four run and thinking "this guy can play with anyone" . And he was just a freshman then. He's clearly even better now.

[BEARZ77]

It'd be a war of contrasting styles/skills. Krut would have to avoid fouling down low as there simply isn't anyway to match up with Kofi 5 feet in. He's the closest thing to Shaq size/strength wise I've seen , but doesn't have his agility. Krut would need to hit a few 12-15 foot shots to make Kofi cover him at the foul line, which then opens up Loyola's cutting and Krut's passing game.

It'll be such an interesting game to see if Loyola's solid team defense can keep Illinois guards out of the lane, and how frustrated Illinois gets with pace of play and guarding 25 seconds most Loyola possessions . Loyola would need to hit some treys, and they'll have to be solid on the defensive boards, but I think it's a closer match than many would.

But first, Loyola has a match against a very hot Georgia Tech team that tries to force turnovers with their quick aggressive guards and has an active, athletic post player that is a tough matchup as well. I look for a game in the 50's with Geogia Tech.

[hot nuts]

I finally ran across a "expert's" bracket that advances LU past the Fouling Illini (a Bill Walton term that drives illini fans nuts).

https://sports.cbsimg.net/images/colleg ... e-2021.pdf

[Blers42]

Well it looks like Loyola truly is a title contender, what a weekend.

[swellafelon]

In fact Vegas has installed Loyola as the 3rd favorite to win it all, behind only Gonzaga and Baylor.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/syndicatio ... t.amp.html

[just ducky]

In fact Vegas has installed Loyola as the 3rd favorite to win it all, behind only Gonzaga and Baylor.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/syndicatio ... t.amp.html

#15 seed Oral Roberts to the sweet 16! These upsets need to be illegalized. Maybe the entire tournament needs to be retroactively Covid cancelled before Loyola actually does win it all. I mean the reputation of Power 5 basketball is teetering on the brink.

[Milanmiracle]

#15 seed Oral Roberts to the sweet 16! These upsets need to be illegalized. Maybe the entire tournament needs to be retroactively Covid cancelled before Loyola actually does win it all. I mean the reputation of Power 5 basketball is teetering on the brink.

I’m sure ORU, Valpo’s old conference rival, is loving the fact they now have as many NCAA tourney wins as VU. Always a fun rivalry that VU seemed to win more often than not. How times have changed...

[glm38]

Krutwig vs Kofi Cockburn will be a really interesting matchup....assuming Loyola gets past GT first

2nd Team All-American vs 3rd Team All-American.

Krut has definitely not played against a dude like that this year. I'm one of the folks hoping Drexel wins over Illannoy...

Turns out Cockburn hadn't played against a dude like Krutwig this year. Krutwig definitely won that matchup.