Loyola Chicago joining the Atlantic 10

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Patriot8

Patriot8

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Nobody is a perfect fit. You'd love to add another MVC school, or Horizon school to fill in the western side of the conference, but none of them make a lot of sense. Cleveland State would be a fit if they had more success.
 

phoenix-arizona

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Pablo

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"Others receiving votes:Wisconsin 156, North Carolina 85, Providence 57, Oklahoma 46, San Francisco 36, Illinois 31, West Virginia 24, Loyola Chicago 20, Michigan 8, St. Bonaventure 6, BYU 4, Minnesota 3, Creighton 1.
 

Pablo

Hall of Famer

"On Thursday at 2 p.m. ET, San Francisco (13-1) will face Loyola Chicago (9-2) at Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, USF coach Todd Golden and Loyola Chicago coach Drew Valentine told CBS Sports. Broadcast details are still being sorted out, but how about it: a JUCO gym will be playing host to arguably the best mid-major nonconference matchup of the 2021-22 season, and it was all arranged less than three days before the game will get played.

These potential at-large mid-major candidates are capitalizing in whatever way possible, determined to make some scheduling lemonade after a rough start to the week.

USF, which plays in the WCC, is yet to play a conference game due to COVID pauses with other WCC programs. On Monday, the Dons had their highly anticipated road game at Gonzaga, scheduled for Thursday, postponed. The league couldn't get USF an in-conference replacement, so the Dons were freed up for a nonconference opportunity. Loyola Chicago also lost its would-be Missouri Valley opener -- scheduled for Thursday vs. Illinois State -- due to ISU going on COVID pause.

The Ramblers went on COVID pause before Christmas, but they've been back and waiting to play for more than a week. The Ramblers haven't played a game since Dec. 10, and if you include an emergency game that was scheduled for Sunday against a non-Division I team, LUC had five games taken off its schedule in the previous three weeks."
 

Pablo

Hall of Famer

"1. Loyola Chicago Ramblers (Missouri Valley)​

With Porter Moser leaving for Oklahoma and All-American Cameron Krutwig departing following his senior year, it would have been understandable if the Ramblers had dropped off.

Not so.

Coach Drew Valentine has Loyola (9-2) atop our poll, with non-conference wins over Arizona State, DePaul and Vanderbilt. The Ramblers' two losses are to Michigan State (by 2) and Auburn (by 9) -- both currently AP Top 10 teams -- and both on consecutive days, in the Bad Boy Mowers Battle for Atlantis."

"7. Davidson Wildcats (Atlantic 10)​

It gets no more impressive than what Bob McKillop has accomplished in 33 seasons of coaching at Davidson. Nine conference coach of the year honors, national coach of the year honors in 2008 and nine trips to the NCAA tournament. This season could be No. 10 given the Wildcats' (11-2) start.

A current 9-game win streak, including a pre-Christmas stunner over Alabama, has eased the burn of two early season L's to San Francisco and New Mexico State.

Next up: vs. Rhode Island (Saturday)"

"9. St. Bonaventure Bonnies (Atlantic 10)​

No back-room bribes from Woj were taken in the making of this pick.

The Committee spent hours debating the merits (and faults) of the Bonnies. Still, as dreadful as they looked against Virginia Tech, the ultimate decision was made to keep Coach Mark Schmidt's team (8-3) in the Top 10.

Wins over Boise State, Clemson, Marquette and Buffalo happened, and we believe Kyle Lofton and the Bonnies are more that team than the one we saw against the Hokies.

Next up: vs. Saint Louis (Saturday)"
 

Pablo

Hall of Famer

Matt Norlander
@MattNorlander
·
21h

After a 26-day layoff, Loyola Chicago gets the W over USF, 79-74. Nice way to spend a Thursda afternoon.

LUC is an elite mid-major again. Now 10-2 w/ three wins vs. power-conf teams. The only losses coming on neutrals vs. Michigan State and Auburn — both ranked in the top 10.
 

Pablo

Hall of Famer

"Loyola, which posted a 25-8 overall record in 2021-22 and reached the NCAA Tournament for the third time in five years, begins competition as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference beginning with the 2022-23 season. In addition to welcoming in seven newcomers, the Ramblers return a pair of starters from last year's squad - guards Braden Norris and Marquise Kennedy."
 

jessej

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today it is official

 
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