Miami Battles Loyola Thursday in NCAA Tournament
No. 6 seed Miami (22-9, 11-7 ACC) vs. No. 11 Loyola Chicago (28-5, 15-3 MVC)
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DALLAS – The Miami men’s basketball team begins NCAA Tournament action Thursday when it takes on Loyola Chicago in a first-round game at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Tip time is approximately 3:10 p.m. ET/2:10 CT. The Hurricanes (22-9) are the No. 6 seed in the South Region, while Loyola (28-5) is the No. 11 seed.
TruTV has the television broadcast televising the tournament, while WQAM 560-AM has the local radio broadcast and Westwood One has the national radio broadcast. The television broadcast also streams online through March Madness On Demand.
The winner of the Thursday game advances to the second round Saturday to face No. 3 seed Tennessee or No. 14 seed Wright State. The Volunteers and Raiders play the first game of the day Thursday at 12:40 p.m./11:40 a.m. CT.
Ranked No. 22 this week by the Associated Press and No. 24 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll, Miami is competing in its 10th NCAA Tournament and making its third straight tournament appearance. The Hurricanes, 8-9 in NCAA Tournament play, have matched a program-record streak, previously set from 1998-2000.
Miami has now made four tournament appearances in head coach Jim Larrañaga’s seven seasons, with a 4-3 record and two trips to the Sweet 16. Larrañaga owns the most tournament wins of any coach in program history.
Miami is averaging 74.2 points per game and allowing 68.0 per game this season. Freshman Lonnie Walker IV leads the team in scoring at 11.5 points per game, while Dewan Huell is right behind at 11.5 per game. Walker also paced the Canes in scoring in ACC play with 13.7 points per game, while Chris Lykes averaged 11.9 points per game in conference action.
Champions of the Missouri Valley Conference, Loyola earned an NCAA berth by defeating Illinois State, 65-49, to capture the MVC Tournament title last Sunday. The Ramblers are one of the hottest teams in the country, winners of 17 of their last 18 contests, including 10 straight. Five players average in double figures, led by Clayton Custer at 13.4 points per game. Loyola averages 72.4 points per game and allows just 62.2 points per contest, which ranks fifth nationally.
To keep up with the University of Miami men’s basketball team on social media, follow @CanesHoops on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
