When Marques Townes’ last-second jump shot hit the rim and fell to the ground, the hearts of Rambler nation fell with it. Loyola wouldn’t return to the NCAA Tournament, just one year after captivating the nation with that Final Four run. While tears were shed on the court, the locker room was even more somber.
I would know. I was the only media member in there.
Townes, redshirt senior guard Clayton Custer and first-year guard Cooper Kaifes all followed head coach Porter Moser to the press conference — and they certainly didn’t look to be in any kind of mood to meet the media.