Ramblers Seeded Last at A10 Men’s Basketball Conference Tournament

Loyola men’s basketball heads to the Atlantic 10 (A10) Conference Tournament, starting March 11 through March 15, after completing the regular season with a win against George Washington University March 7. 

The Ramblers sank deep below their preseason expectations, projecting to finish fifth in the conference. After the worst season in the era of head coach Drew Valentine — finishing with an 8-23 overall record — Loyola picked up the 14th seed for the tournament. 

Saint Louis University and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) both won a share of the regular season title, each bolstering a 15-3 conference record and claiming the first and second seed, respectively, and gaining a double bye. 

Also gaining a double bye are Saint Joseph’s University and the University of Dayton in the third and fourth seeds. The Hawks defeated the Ramblers in Gentile Arena 85-64 and again on their turf 75-61. The Flyers dominated attendance during their game in Gentile over Loyola’s winter break to claim a close 70-68 win and maintained their strength against the Ramblers at home, defeating them 78-51. 

George Mason University, Davidson College, Duquesne University, Fordham University, George Washington University and the University of Rhode Island all received a first-round bye for the tournament, taking the fifth through 10th seeds, in order. 

Joining the Ramblers in having to play in all rounds of the tournament to win are the University of Richmond in the 11th seed — who the Ramblers will play — La Salle University in the 12th seed and St. Bonaventure University in the 13th seed. 

In their lone matchup this season, the Ramblers defeated Richmond Feb. 28 with a final score of 69-66, to pick up their third conference win. 

If the Ramblers defeat Richmond again, they’ll play Davidson in the second round and Saint Joseph’s in the quarterfinals. 

Loyola’s first round game is slated for March 11, with a tipoff time at 1 p.m. All games throughout the tournament will be available to watch on the USA Network, except for the semifinal and championship games March 14 and 15, which will be streamed on CBS Sports Network.