It’s rare when a mid-major college team is bigger news than the NBA team from the same city.
But Loyola’s run to the NCAA Final Four has turned the Bulls into an afterthought.
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“[Loyola is] making the city proud,’’ Bulls swingman Denzel Valentine said. “They’re doing their thing. I’m happy for them. I feel like it’s me playing in the Final Four. I’m excited for them. The thing is, they’re not satisfied. They’re trying to win it all.’’
Valentine would know.
His older brother, Drew, is a Loyola assistant coach, and Valentine and Cameron Payne spent time working out with the Ramblers during the summer. So Valentine feels like a little piece of him will be playing this weekend in San Antonio.
Loyola’s run has sparked memories of his Michigan State team’s march to the Final Four in 2015.
“It’s nuts,’’ Valentine said. “That was my best basketball experience. That and getting drafted, by far. The whole week of festivities, you feel like a movie star. It’s an unreal feeling.’’
And Valentine is not the Bulls’ lone connection to Loyola.
Coach Fred Hoiberg has become friendly with Ramblers coach Porter Moser and is a big supporter. They first crossed paths on the recruiting trail when Hoiberg was leading Iowa State.
“I can’t talk specifics about specific players,’’ Hoiberg said. “But I do remember when you’re on the recruiting trail, and you see the guys who are really good as far as tacticians and coaches and the players have developed chemistry. One team that sticks out is a team in Kansas City that had been together really since about fourth grade.
“I remember going through that whole story of how that high school coach [from a suburb of Kansas City] was able to start that system early in the process. It’s fun to watch teams that have great chemistry like that. You look at what Loyola is doing out there right now, and they’re so together. And even getting off to the slow start the other night, to be able to stick with it and then really gain the momentum and never look back after that, they’re playing with such a high level of confidence right now.
“It’s such an exciting thing for everybody involved to see what they’re going through. We’ll see what happens. They’ve got [Michigan] next. It should be exciting.’’
Unlike watching the Bulls limp into Houston.
Hoiberg announced that Zach LaVine (knee), Kris Dunn (toe), Antonio Blakeney (wrist) and Paul Zipser (foot) will be out Tuesday against the Rockets. Valentine (knee) and Lauri Markkanen (back) will be game-time decisions.
“The reality of it is, we’ve got to still lock in, nine-game season left,’’ forward Bobby Portis said. “We have to play to the best of our abilities, grind it out every day. Obviously, it’s been tough the last two weeks, but in the NBA, nobody feels sorry for you. You have to prepare every day to win and play well.’’
Follow me on Twitter @suntimes_hoops.
Email: jcowley@suntimes.com
