The Latest: Appleby cleared to play for Florida
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)The Latest on the second round of the NCAA Tournament (all times Eastern):___7:45 p.m.Florida guard Tyree Appleby has been cleared to play and was in the starting lineup for No. 1 seed in the second round for a third time, joining the 2000 team against Arizona and the 2017 squad against Villanova. Sister Jean Delores Schmidt gave an inspirational pregame prayer to her Loyola Chicago team before the eighth-seeded Ramblers met top-seeded Illinois in Sunday’s second round. UCLA and Abilene Christian face off Monday, assuring that at least one double-digit seed will reach the Sweet 16. This is the first time four teams seeded 13th or worse made it to the second round.
No. 8 seed Loyola holds off No. 9 seed Georgia Tech, 71-60
(AP Photo/AJ Mast)INDIANAPOLIS – Loyola Chicago might be the only team that feels as though little has changed about the NCAA Tournament. 9 seed Georgia Tech at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Georgia Tech wiped it right out by making eight of its first 11 second-half shots. The Ramblers clogged up the paint to prevent drives to the basket, forced Georgia Tech into long jumpers and made life difficult for its perimeter players. UP NEXTThe Ramblers play the top-seeded Fighting Illini for a spot in the Sweet 16.
Loyola Chicago gets MVC crown over Drake, 7th NCAA berth
20 Loyola Chicago to a 75-65 win over Drake in the Missouri Valley Conference championship game Sunday for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Keith Clemons added 13 points for Loyola, which has won six in a row and 17 of its past 18. Loyola Chicago, which hit 10 of 24 shots (63%) in the opening half, won its three tournament games by a total of 50 points. BIG PICTURELoyola Chicago: Heading to the NCAA Tournament for the seventh time and first since the 2018 team reached the Final Four. UP NEXTChicago Loyola: Will be making its second NCAA Tournament appearance in the past 31 years.