All good things must end.
Even Yaxel Lendeborg’s college career. (Probably.)
The NIT Quarterfinals are over. Long live the NIT Final Four.
Loyola Chicago 72, Kent State 62
In the only game of the tournament not decided by one score (not technically true, but it feels like it right now!) Loyola stymied Kent State. Miles Rubin was the bucket-getter for the Ramblers, but it was a team-wide defensive effort which made the difference, one which suffocated the Golden Flashes throughout the second half.
More:
- Gentile Arena was rocking. Great gym. Great fanbase. Basketball school.
- All the credit to Kent State, who might have been the last team into the tournament. They made themselves a main character, and at halftime, it still looked like they might pull this off.
- Loyola just keeps getting better as the year goes on. This isn’t Drew Valentine’s best team, but it’s probably his best coaching job.
UC Irvine 81, UAB 77 (OT)
After trailing much of the way, Myles Che came to UC Irvine’s rescue down the stretch, while Bent Leuchten outdueled Yaxel Lendeborg in a battle that didn’t quite live up to its promise. A Lendeborg travel sent the game to overtime, where a Devin Tillis three tied it for the Anteaters and Leuchten made what would become the game-winner.
More:
- It’s always sad to see teams lose when they’ve gotten this far, but it’s especially sad to lose UAB from the tournament after enjoying them so much in 2023. Plus, they’re just a riot to watch.
- The Anteaters are now 31–6. Non-zero chance we can get an NIT champion with a better record than the NCAA T*urnament champion. Let’s work on that.
- Leuchten is so reliable. Or at least he feels like it when you watch him play. Excited to see the ‘Eaters and Mean Green go at it.
We’ve got an episode of Free Hoops up recapping the quarterfinals in their entirety. We’ll have plenty more college basketball content through the weekend. Then, next week: The NIT Final Four.
What a time to be an NIT fan.
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