March Moments – Loyola’s Final Four

Custer Remembers It All

(St. Louis, MO) – Loyola Chicago’s historic run to the Final Four was one for the ages. The Missouri Valley Conference’s ‘Player of the Year’, Clayton Custer remembers it all. Loyola’s ten game winning streak just to reach the NCAA Tournament was huge, but couldn’t have prepared us for the many amazing moments that awaited Porter Moser’s Ramblers.

Loyola won its first-ever Missouri Valley Conference regular season title and then easily won the league’s postseason tournament. LUC received an 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament. It hadn’t crossed Custer’s mind that the Ramblers would go that far in the national tournament. After transferring from Iowa State he believed the team would be good, but a trip to the Final Four was beyond comprehension.

 

 

First Up Miami

The Ramblers drew the Miami Hurricanes. While the teams were tied at the half, the Ramblers’ superior defense was having an affect. LUC would outscore the Canes 15 to 8 on ‘points off turnovers’ and 11 to 2 on ‘fast break’ points.

During the game’s final minute, Custer tied the game at 60 with a corner three. Custer would finish with 14 points as the game came down to the final possession. Ben Richardson’s key rebound with nine seconds left set up the contest’s final play.

Custer remembers it all. He says he was glad the ever-confident Donte Ingram took the game-winning shot.

 

 

Recently, the NCAA March Madness Twitter feed called Ingram’s winner one of the top 64 moments in the tournament’s history.

 

http://

R64 Region – R1:

(6) – @SteveNash & 15-seed @SantaClaraHoops upset Arizona in 1993

vs.

(11) – Donte Ingram’s buzzer-beater for @RamblersMBB in 2018

Pick the best #MarchMadnessMoments in each matchup poll!

— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 20, 2020

Then There Was Tennessee

Third seeded Tennessee was Loyola’s second ‘dance partner’. The contest followed a similar script. Loyola led by four at the half, but the game would come down to the wire. Aundre Jackson, the Valley’s ‘Sixth Man of the Year’ came off the bench to lead LUC with 16 points. Tennessee’s Grant Williams converted an old fashioned three-point play to give the Volunteers the 62-61 lead.

With 20 seconds left, it was Custer’s turn to take the shot. Custer remembers it all, even thinking he had missed that game winner.

 

 

This one was also celebrated by the NCAA’s recent top 64 moments bracket.

 

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R32/S16 Region – R1:

(8) – @ClaytonCuster3‘s game-winner for @RamblersMBB in 2018

vs.

(9) – @TreyBurke‘s game-tying shot for @umichbball in 2013

Pick the best #MarchMadnessMoments in each matchup poll!

— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 20, 2020

 

Marques Townes hit a game winner against Nevada and the Ramblers were headed to the Elite Eight. After three NCAA Tournament games, the Ramblers were averaging 17 assists per game. During those first three games, three different players had led the team in scoring and three different Ramblers had hit the game winning shots.

Selflessness was a major reason for the Rambler success. Custer says he loved playing for a team where no one cared who scored and they only cared about doing what it took to succeed.

 

 

Custer Remembers It All

The Elite Eight victory over Kansas State was the team’s easiest victory. 78-62 was the final. While making six triples, Richardson erupted for a career-high 23 points. A fourth Rambler had led the team in scoring, as they handed out 17 more assists.

Custer wasn’t surprised by his roommate and high school teammate’s explosion.K-State hadn’t bothered to recruit Richardson when it had the chance. The fellow Blue Valley Northwest graduate knew Richardson could perform on the game’s biggest stage.

 

 

Moser and Chicago

Coach Porter Moser is a perfect fit for the school and the town. His energy, attention to detail and enthusiasm are contagious. A former Valley player himself, Moser understands what it takes to be successful in the MVC. He allowed his 2018 team some freedom on the offensive end, while demanding an attention to detail on defense.

 

 

While the Ramblers were soaring some of the other Chicago-land sports teams were struggling. During the Spring of 2018, LUC became the talk of the town. Custer remembers it all, from city-wide celebrations, decorations and cheering fans.

 

 

Loyola lost its Final Four contest with eventual champion Michigan. While the team committed an uncharacteristic 17 turnovers, freshman Cameron Krutwig (17 points) became the fifth Rambler in five games to be the team’s scoring leader. Custer added 15, giving him a team-leading 61 tournament points. Ingram’s five game total of 29 rebounds was tops while Richardson’s 19 tournament assists were best.

During our 30 minute conversation (it can be heard at Valley Hoops Insider Podcast) Custer constantly praised his teammates, the program, his coach and the MVC.

While this magical ride was exhilarating for Custer, it was absolutely therapeutic for Valley fans. After losing Wichita State to the American Athletic Conference, having one of its teams make national headlines became a league-wide rallying point.

Do Good

 

Editor: Cover photo courtesy of loyolaramblers.com.