Loyola’s Sister Jean didn’t ask for a blessing in her pre-game prayer. She mapped out the game plan.

Who had the scout on the Illini? Apparently it was the team chaplain.

Lest you thought Sister Jean’s good luck was heavenly sent, here’s proof that instead she has studied the game and is guiding the Loyola basketball team through strategy, not mere faith.

The 8th-seeded Ramblers are taking on top-seeded Illinois today, and the famed team chaplain was asked about her pre-game prayer. What she unfurled next sounds not like a plea for intervention but instead a purposeful plan of action.

Sister Jean’s looking for some strong rebounding to turn into points the other way, and …sure. That works. Also, she’s leaning on the fact that alllll the pressure here is on Illinois and some early adversity could send the Illini hurtling.

Sure enough, Loyola got an early lead with a 9-2 run and is up 49-36 with just over 10 minutes left in the game. They lead the rebound battle 25-20.

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