- The
Loyola-Chicago Ramblers are once again making a surprise run through March Madness. - With the Ramblers is the team chaplain
Sister Jean , who became the star of the team's 2018 run. - Before the Illinois win, she offered a prayer for victory that sounded more like a scouting report.
The Loyola-Chicago Ramblers are once again making noise during March Madness.
In 2018, the Ramblers were the Cinderella story of the men's basketball NCAA Tournament, making a Final Four run as a No. 11 seed and winning plenty of fans along the way. This year, the Ramblers have advanced to the Sweet 16 as a No. 8 seed after defeating the top-seeded Illinois on Sunday.
As in 2018, the Ramblers' star is not a player but rather the team chaplain and superfan, Sister Jean. At 101, Sister Jean was still able to make it to March Madness in Indianapolis this year, and on Sunday she blessed the team with a prayer that included some impressive knowledge of their opponent.
"As we play the Fighting Illini, we ask for special help to overcome this team and get a great win," Jean said in her prayer. "We hope to score early and make our opponents nervous. We have a great opportunity to convert rebounds as this team makes about 50% of layups and 30% of its 3 points. Our defense can take care of that."
-The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 21, 2021
Jean's blessing was proved largely correct throughout the game - the Ramblers jumped out to an early lead that put the Illini on their heels. They outrebounded the Illini 30-27. And their defense held Illinois to just 45% shooting from the field and 29% from 3-point range.
Sister Jean laid out the game plan, and the Ramblers executed en route to a 71-58 victory.
With the win, the Ramblers are now set to face the 12th-seeded Oregon State on Saturday and are four wins away from a national championship.