CHICAGO (March 13, 2022) – Making back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in nearly 60 years, the Loyola University Chicago men's basketball team (27-5, 13-5 MVC) will take on seventh-seeded Ohio State in an NCAA Tournament First Round game on Friday, March 18 in Pittsburgh, Pa.  The Ramblers are seeded tenth in the South Region.  The winner of Friday's matchup will advance on to battle the winner of the tilt between No. 2 Villanova and No. 15 Delaware.
 
Set to embark on its eighth trip to the NCAA Tournament, Loyola is 15-6 (.714) in seven previous appearances in the Big Dance, including a run to the Sweet Sixteen in 2021 that was highlighted by a 71-58 win over top-seeded Illinois in the Second Round.
 
Loyola and Ohio State will be meeting for the fifth time on Friday in The Steel City.  The Ramblers will be in search of their first win over the Buckeyes in five tries, having dropped the previous four meetings, the last of which came on November 11, 2006, an 87-75 Ohio State victory.
 
After completing a fifth straight 20-win regular season campaign, the Ramblers secured the Missouri Valley Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by picking up three wins at Arch Madness, including a 64-58 victory over second-seeded Drake in the championship game this past Sunday.
 
Ticket requests in the Loyola seat block are due by noon on Monday, March 14.  Fans will be notified if they've received tickets by Tuesday, March 15 at 5 p.m.  For more information, visit www.loyolaramblers.com/marchmadness.