There will be no sneaking up on anyone this time for Loyola.
Under 30-year-old first-year coach Drew Valentine, the Ramblers earned their second straight NCAA Tournament invitation — and their third in five years — with a 64-58 win over Drake in the Missouri Valley Conference title game Sunday in St. Louis.
The Ramblers (25-7) overcame a horrid start to outlast the Bulldogs, who were victimized by poor shooting from the field (35.6%) and the free-throw line (11-for-18).