College Basketball World Thinks Illinois Got Screwed By Their Draw In NCAA Tournament

BSabitt

4 years ago

The Illinois Fighting Illini were one of the hottest teams in college basketball heading into the NCAA Tournament. The Illini had won 14 of their past 15 games, including taking home the trophy from the Big Ten Tournament.

Their late surge gave them a #1 seed in March Madness. Unfortunately, Illinois ran into a really good Loyola-Chicago team. So good, that people are wondering…why were they an #8 seed in the tourney?

Many people were asking about the NCAA’s decision to have Loyola as an #8 seed when there was so much evidence that they should have been higher.

In what universe did the NCAA Committee decide with a straight face this Loyola team was a No. 8 seed? Unfair to them and Illinois.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) March 21, 2021

the 2018 Loyola team was a Cinderella story.
this Loyola team is clearly one of the top 15 teams in the country, but the NCAA looked at them, saw they were from a small conference, ignored everything else, and gave them an 8 seed. No matter what happens they deserved better

— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) March 21, 2021

[sportsbookaffiliates]

ACU was a true upset. Shot like 30% and, all credit to them, managed to win. This would be an upset by seed and spread, but Loyola has just played better from the jump. Shooting 52%, more rebounds, more assists. Will take something remarkable from Illinois to beat them now.

— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) March 21, 2021

Stop with the "what an epic choke job" by Illinois.

Folks, follow the advanced analytics. Every computer measurement had Loyola as a top-12 team entering the Dance. The Ramblers were always a legit contender and a gigantic roadblock for any top seed.

Be a smarter fan.

— Brad Evans (@NoisyHuevos) March 21, 2021

Loyola Chicago after getting hosed with an 8 seed: pic.twitter.com/FmgGrjMZ1A

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) March 21, 2021

I had Loyola Chicago as a No. 4 seed — not b/c I thought the Ramblers would get it, but b/c it’s way closer to what they deserved. They were the regular-season and tournament champs of a multi-bid league. Making them a No. 8 seed was so obviously the committee’s biggest mistake.

— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) March 21, 2021

Long way to go, and Illinois can obviously still prevail, but Loyola Chicago looks like a 3 seed. Committee forever fails to accurately seed “mid majors.” Consider how bad Texas looked. That was a 3 but this is an 8?

— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) March 21, 2021

Now, to make a run in the NCAA Tournament you have to beat the best teams. Whether that’s in the second round, or in the Final Four, you’re going to have to play better than the Illini played against Loyola today.

With that being said, Loyola just isn’t an #8 seed. Their metrics aren’t that of an #8 seed, they have pedigree, and they’re one of the top defensive teams in the country. Definitely not an #8 seed, and Illinois deserved better after earning a #1 seed.

But, it is what it is, and the NCAA has another great story on their hands with the Loyola Ramblers. As for Illinois, it’ll be wait till next year, once again.

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