*This article was originally published on CollegeInsider.com.
Two years ago, Loyola Chicago coach Porter Moser stood outside a silent locker room, minutes after his team’s season ended in the Missouri Valley Conference Quarterfinals. The Ramblers, with their best team yet during Moser’s tenure, laid an egg in the conference tournament.
With all-conference guard Milton Doyle set to graduate, Loyola’s future was somewhat uncertain. Moser remained optimistic.
“It’s difficult to imagine this team without Milt considering all he’s done for our program,”Moser said, “but we have good pieces. I’ve said it all along, we’re moving in the right direction. Our arrow is pointing up.”
Fast forward 24 months, and Loyola owns back-to-back MVC titles and a legendary Final Four run. The Ramblers will compete for a return trip to the NCAA Tournament this weekend as the top seed at Arch Madness in Saint Louis.
