I laughed when I read the post on the Panther board. I took it as self-deprecating humor about UNI's road woes, and a gibe at the people who complained that we'd be non-competitive and unworthy of joining the Valley. I think most of the "underclass" teams in the Valley-- this year, just about everyone below WSU and UNI-- have a really healthy attitude about their teams. If I had to point to "whiners," I'd put Bradley first, Evansville second, and Illinois State third, but none of them are worse than UIC, or when Butler lost. The Drake board is pretty funny with the self-deprecation, and I feel sympathic having been a Loyola fan for a quarter century.

On the flip side, a lot of the Wichita State fans can be as unsufferable as Butler fans when they're having a stellar season. Their sense of superiority is hard to argue with at 20-0, ranked #5 in the country, coming off a Final Four appearance, filling their building every game, and in line for a #1 seed. Yet the league isn't changing the rules for them, and none of them have claimed ficticious national championships, "The Wichita State Way," or claiming credit for the color of the basketball.

Thank God in Heaven that HL nightmare is over....

Sundays are not a good day for college hoops in my opinion. Sunday games are often competing with the NFL schedule, students trying to get homework done, and people doing church, family time, or relaxing before the new work week. I agree that a Thursday/Saturday schedule is probably a better fit. Of course, a few wins will help, too.

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Don't confuse a single defeat with a final defeat. -- F. Scott Fitzgerald

Of course I've only been to a handful of games, but that was easily the most fun I've ever seen Gentile Arena. It's going to be a great environment when (if?) Loyola is able to fill it up.
Anyway, here's my recap: http://thecatchandshoot.com/loyola-rall ... -overtime/

Cheap seat review...

I loved what I saw from the Cheap Seats!
---enthusiastic student section encouraged by the best LU Wolf ever.
---excellent free throw shooting by the Ramblers.
---loud participatory crowd, especially by certain Ramblermaniacs.
---and the Ramblers won!! Instead of the usual bad karma and stunning glitches, things ultimately worked out well for the team. This is, indeed, a very rare event. Like an 80 degree night in January.

Tonight, let's celebrate, Ramblermaniacs.
Congrats, Ramblers. Great job! !

I haven't loved the officiating since we have been in the valley but it has been alright. Today's officials though did a very bad job. Very inconsistent today it felt like every time they drove a foul was called by I don't think a single offensive foul was called when there should have been some. There were multiple travels that were not called. I remember an oleary travel that I was very happy we got away with

I was able to make it up to my first game in a long time today....unfortunately I had to leave at halftime, and pissed that I missed one hell of a second half and overtime. Two thoughts I had while there: (1) the crowd was great, and would've been an amazing atmosphere with a full student section...and (2) after seeing Milton Doyle for the first time in person....we have a potential gem if he sticks around and grows like he could. He looks like a ball of talent trying to figure out the best way to unwind at the college level. If he can figure that out consistently, it could be the best player we've had since the 80's

Fantastic game, best I've seen one of porter's teams play in 3 years. Doyle is great but the guys around him played tough too. Thomas was way undersized but out played their front line. LU was outplayed for about 36 minutes but kept it close enough, the turning point was Thomas' dunk from the baseline. White's put back with his left was the most impressive single play I've seen him make.

If UNI scores at the end of regulation, we on this board are crucifying Porter for taking that timeout when UNI had none. Can't figure out why he called it but end result worked.

Re: refs, I actually thought they were pretty good. They let the game be physical and the players decide the outcome on both ends. we easily could've been whistled for contact on the last play of regulation.

Streak, tried to stop down but missed you at halftime. Crowd was fun, lot of alumni around for Alumni Day. My folks made it down from WI and our good family friends that used to attend all our games when I was playing made it too. Winning in front of a good crowd is huge because now the people want to come back. And the students that were there will tell their friends how much fun it was.

A solid win for the Ramblers. Every MVC victory is key as it builds momentum for fan/student interest. Most importantly, it demonstrates progress to recruiting targets.

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Loyola '86
St. Bona '83

Nice win Ramblers. Don't visit our fan site if you are easily or even rarely offended. There are SOME that really go overboard and are uber enthusiastic. I don't think there will be anything overboard as long as its not like some of the ilsu fans that came over and posted their opinions about HCGM or incidents that happened the last couple of years. I prefer to let the game be played on the court since I don't think I have affected the outcome of a single game yet. Good that the home crowd was good and loud because this is what you need to grow your product and win the close ones.

Great win, amazing what happens when you make your freebies. Haven't had this much fun since one of the better Butler games. Lucky for us that we were able to put on a show for the alumni game--hopefully a few of the alums will have had a positive enough experience to keep coming back.

I've had my share of complaints about Christian Thomas this year but he sure shut me up last night. 6/6 from the line if I remember correctly, actually turned 3-point plays into 3 points. And you can't underestimate what those dunks did for getting the crowd involved.

Agree with brot, Devon "Swaggy T" Turk is definitely improving. He's developing from a 3 point gunslinger into an all-around weapon. Loved it in crunch time when he got the ball in the corner, got his man to bite on the pump fake, then drove to the hoop for the foul.

Don't wanna complain after an exciting win, but I remain baffled by Porter's rotation. Cody Johnson for instance. Starts the game, quickly drains a 3, then sits for most of the game.

Favorite random stat of the night: Nick Osbourne, 1/2 3-point shooting. What.

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Founder and Chairman, Swaggy T Fan Club*

*Swaggy T Fan Club is not associated with Loyola University Chicago or Devon "Swaggy T" Turk; it is not owned or operated by employees or representatives of the entities mentioned.