NIT Bracket

CHICAGO (March 17, 2019) – Making back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time since 1962-63 and 1963-64, the Loyola University Chicago men's basketball team will face second-seeded Creighton (18-14, 9-9 Big East) in the opening round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), Tuesday, March 19 at 8 p.m. The game will be televised live on ESPNU. The Ramblers, who earned the No. 7 seed, are making their fifth appearance in the NIT and first since the 1979-80 campaign.
 
"Well, someone on the committee got a chuckle scheduling us against my alma mater," Loyola head coach Porter Moser jokingly said. "Needless to say, I have a ton of respect for Greg (McDermott) and the program he runs. It's an awesome fan base with a great college basketball atmosphere. They are playing extremely well right now. This is a terrific opportunity for our guys to compete and advance in a prestigious, national tournament. We are excited to play."
 
The Ramblers claimed a share of the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title this year, marking the first time in program history they have won back-to-back conference crowns, regardless of league affiliation. Loyola is making an appearance in the postseason for the third time in the last five seasons, the most trips for any program that has been a member of The Valley for that entire duration. Its nine wins postseason wins over the last four seasons also rank as the most of any MVC school, nearly double the amount of the second-highest finisher, Evansville (5). 
 
Loyola head coach Porter Moser played at Creighton, helping the Bluejays to a pair of postseason appearances, including the 1989 NCAA Tournament. This will be the first meeting between the Ramblers and Bluejays since December 5, 2015, when Loyola earned a 68-65 victory at Gentile Arena. Loyola leads the all-time series with Creighton, 12-6.
 
All-time, Loyola is 6-4 in NIT action and reached the championship game in both 1939 and 1949 before placing runner-up, behind Long Island and San Francisco, respectively. 
 
Loyola has posted consecutive 20-win campaigns for the first time since the mid 1980s and brings a 20-13 overall record into the postseason.