Loyola basketball coach Porter Moser said the Ramblers have already seen how opponents treat them differently coming off their Final Four run last season.
When Loyola traveled to Philadelphia to face Saint Joseph's last month, the Ramblers saw a billboard proclaiming they were in town while departing the airport. Think that would have happened a year ago?
On Saturday, a fellow Missouri Valley Conference opponent will trot out an intimidating presence when Loyola visits in what figures to be an emotional and nostalgic day.
Indiana State will honor its 1979 Final Four team, led by the immortal Larry Bird, on the 40th anniversary of their spectacular season when Loyola faces the Sycamores at 1 p.