Men’s college basketball powers such as Villanova University and University of Virginia have fallen to defeat this season. Undefeated conference teams have become increasingly rare.
When the Hartford Hawks knocked off the Vermont Catamounts, 69-68, Sunday in an American East Conference game, it left no team unscathed in conference play. Each team in the 32 conferences has been scared at least once.
With Northwestern leading by 22 points over visiting Michigan State at halftime Saturday, the host Northwestern fans were chanting, “Overrated.” It was a foolish remark, for sure.
The second half was all Michigan State which outscored the Northwestern 38-11 in the second half for a 65-60 victory. Michigan State, 26-3, had more victories any than other major college basketball program at the start of the week. Northwestern dropped to 15-14 overall and 6-10 in the Big Ten Conference after losing Monday to Maryland, 71-64.
Not overrated; but a bit ignored is Loyola.
The Loyola Ramblers, 23-5 and 13-3 in the Missouri Valley Conference, were in first place and two games ahead of Southern Illinois with two games remaining.
The Land of Lincoln has struggled lately to have a team in the NCAA tournament. Northwestern made the field a year ago and acquitted itself well by beating Vanderbilt before falling to runner-up Gonzaga in a close game.
The state’s best bet for an NCAA qualifier might be Loyola!