The magic didn't just vanish when Sister Jean turned 100. People outside of Rogers Park usually think Loyola Chicago mens basketball is just a "Cinderella" story that peaked in 2018 and then sort of faded into the background of the Atlantic 10. They’re wrong. Honestly, the transition from the Missouri Valley Conference to the A-10 was a brutal wake-up call that almost broke the program’s momentum, but what’s happening now under Drew Valentine is arguably more impressive than that lightning-in-a-bottle Final Four run.
It’s about culture. Real culture, not the corporate buzzword kind.
When Porter Moser left for Oklahoma, everyone expected the Ramblers to crater. That’s what usually happens to mid-majors when their architect leaves for a Power Five paycheck. But Loyola didn't hire a retread; they handed the keys to a then-29-year-old Drew Valentine. He was the youngest head coach in Division I at the time. He didn't just try to copy Moser’s homework. He changed the defensive identity and leaned into a more modern, versatile style of play that fits the higher level of athleticism they see every night in the A-10.
The A-10 Jump: Why the First Year Was a Disaster
You’ve gotta remember how ugly that first year in the Atlantic 10 was. 2022-23 felt like a long, cold winter for Loyola Chicago mens basketball fans. They finished last. Dead last. A 10-21 record with only four wins in the conference.
Critics were loud.
They said the Ramblers were "MVC good" but couldn't handle the size and speed of teams like Dayton, VCU, or St. Bonaventure. It was a fair point at the time. The jump in competition is real. In the Valley, you could get away with being gritty and smart. In the A-10, if you aren't long, athletic, and capable of defending three positions at once, you’re basically target practice.
But Valentine didn't panic. He hit the portal, but he didn't just grab "best available" talent. He looked for guys who fit the "Rambler Way"—which is basically code for "players who won't complain about diving for a loose ball when they're down ten." The addition of players like Braden Norris (who felt like he played for ten years) and the development of Des Watson completely flipped the script. By the 2023-24 season, they weren't just competitive; they were co-champions of the regular season.
That 13-win turnaround in one year? That doesn't happen by accident. It happens because the foundation was deeper than just one coach or one lucky shooting streak in March.
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Sister Jean is More Than a Meme
Look, we have to talk about Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt.
She’s 106 years old as of 2025. She’s a global icon. But if you think she’s just a mascot, you haven't been paying attention to how she actually impacts the team. She’s a scout. Literally. She provides written scouting reports to the players. She’s sharp, she’s demanding, and she’s the spiritual heartbeat of Gentile Arena.
The national media loves the "cute old nun" angle. But for Loyola Chicago mens basketball, she represents a continuity of excellence that dates back to the 1963 National Championship. That 1963 team changed college basketball forever by breaking the "gentleman’s agreement" and starting four Black players in the title game against Cincinnati.
Loyola isn't a "new" basketball school. They are an old-school powerhouse that finally remembered who they were about fifteen years ago.
The Defense-First DNA
If you want to understand why this team stays relevant, look at the KenPom adjusted defense rankings.
Valentine’s system is suffocating. They don't just "play hard" on defense; they use a complex "no-middle" scheme that forces teams into low-percentage contested twos. They want to turn the game into a rock fight. It’s not always pretty to watch if you like 90-point shootouts, but it wins games in February and March when the whistles get tighter.
- Pressure on the ball: They hunt for turnovers without gambling too much on steals.
- Defensive Rebounding: Despite often being undersized, they box out like their lives depend on it.
- Versatility: They prioritize 6'6" to 6'8" wings who can switch everything.
What People Get Wrong About the Rogers Park Vibe
People think playing at Loyola is like playing at a small, quiet Catholic school. Gentile Arena only holds about 4,500 people. It’s tiny compared to the Dean Dome or Rupp Arena.
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But that’s the secret weapon.
Because the fans are right on top of the court, the noise levels are deafening. It’s a "sneaky" tough place to play. When the students show up in force, and the "Bller" (the student section) starts getting rowdy, the atmosphere rivals any Power Five gym. The program has invested millions in the Alfie Norville Practice Facility, which is genuinely one of the best setups in the country, regardless of conference. They aren't acting like a "mid-major" anymore. They are operating like a high-major program that just happens to play in the A-10.
The Reality of the Transfer Portal Era
Let’s be real for a second. The NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) era has changed everything for schools like Loyola.
When a player like Philip Alston or Des Watson starts blowing up, the big-money schools come calling. Loyola has to fight to keep their talent. They don't have the $50 million boosters that a school like Kansas or Texas has.
How do they survive?
They sell the city of Chicago. Rogers Park is gorgeous, and the connection to the Chicago business community is a massive selling point for players thinking about their lives after basketball. Plus, the exposure is huge. Being in the third-largest media market means if you’re the star for Loyola Chicago mens basketball, you’re a celebrity in a way you wouldn't be at a school in a small college town.
Valentine has mastered the art of "re-recruiting" his own roster every offseason. It’s exhausting, but it’s the only way to stay at the top of the A-10.
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The Recruitment Strategy
They don't just go after five-star recruits who are looking for a one-year pitstop.
They look for:
- The Overlooked Local: Kids from the Chicago Public League or the suburbs who were maybe "too small" for the Big Ten.
- The "Culture" Transfer: Guys leaving bigger programs because they want to actually play and win, rather than sit on a bench for a paycheck.
- The International Prospect: Loyola has a long history of finding talent in Europe and Australia that other scouts miss.
Navigating the 2025-2026 Season and Beyond
Right now, the A-10 is a gauntlet. It’s no longer a "one-bid league" where you have to win the conference tournament to get into the Big Dance.
For Loyola Chicago mens basketball to take the next step—to move from "consistent winner" to "perennial Top 25"—they have to improve their non-conference strength of schedule. That means going on the road and playing the Big East and Big Ten schools. It means winning those "buy games" and showing that the A-10 co-championship wasn't a fluke.
The roster depth this year is probably the best it’s been since the 2021 Sweet Sixteen team. They have a mix of veteran leadership and young, explosive guards who can actually create their own shots when the shot clock is winding down. That was the missing piece a couple of years ago. You can have the best defense in the world, but if you don't have a "bucket getter," you’re going to lose in the second round of the conference tournament.
What You Should Actually Do to Follow the Ramblers
If you're just checking the box scores on ESPN, you’re missing the point. To really get what’s happening with this program, you have to dig a bit deeper.
- Watch the "Rambler Review": Get into the behind-the-scenes content the school puts out. It shows the intensity of their practices, which explains a lot about their defensive stats.
- Track the NET Rankings: In the modern NCAA, the NET (NCAA Evaluation Tool) is everything. Watch how Loyola performs against "Quad 1" opponents. Those are the games that determine if they get an at-large bid or if they’re sweating it out on Selection Sunday.
- Follow the "Sister Jean" Socials: It sounds cheesy, but the updates on her health and her presence at games are a genuine barometer for the energy around the campus.
- Attend a Game at Gentile: If you’re in Chicago, go. Tickets are affordable, the view is perfect from every seat, and you’ll see some of the most disciplined basketball in the country.
Loyola Chicago mens basketball isn't a fluke. It's a blueprint. They showed every other mid-sized school in the country how to build a brand that survives coaching changes, conference realignments, and the chaos of the transfer portal. They aren't waiting for another miracle; they're building a machine.
The next step for any serious fan or observer is to stop comparing them to the 2018 team. That was a moment in time. What they are building now is a sustained presence that will likely keep the A-10 a multi-bid league for years to come. Watch the mid-week games against the Richmonds and the Duquesnes of the world—that’s where the championship is actually won. Keep an eye on the defensive rotations in the second half; if they’re still flying around at the 10-minute mark, they’re going to be a problem for anyone in March.