André Curbelo and Illinois have been eliminated from the NCAA tournament

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The Boricua André Curbelo and the University of Illinois were another surprise casualty in the NCAA Basketball Championship Tournament this afternoon, losing 71-58 to the Ramblers of Loyola University in Chicago in the second round of the event.

Illinois entered the game as the best seed in the Midwest section of the championship tournament. Chicago was the eighth seed. Big10 Conference Champion Illinois (20-6) finished second in the NCAA, behind undefeated Gonzaga (27-0).

This NCAA championship tournament was again characterized by surprises. Defending champion Virginia fell to Ohio State in the first round, as did the seventh seed UConn against Maryland.

Loyola played in Indianapolis and today won the first half of Illinois 33-24 after a 5-0 run by the Fighting Illini in the last minute of the action.

Curbelo ended the first half with five points, four assists and four rebounds.

The Puerto Rican finished the game with nine points, seven assists, and four rebounds.

The Ramblers also had Illinois in the second half. They doubled their defense to the top of the field, causing problems with the movement of the ball for the beneficiaries.

André Curbelo, in defensive management, closed the game with nine points, seven assists and four rebounds.
André Curbelo, in defensive management, closed the game with nine points, seven assists and four rebounds. Mark Humphrey

Loyola went into the last five minutes with a 52-42 lead and extended his margin to double digits with 3:52 left as he led 61-50.

On free throws by Kofi Cockburn and a basket by Curbelo, Illinois got closer to 65-58 with 1:36 to play. But Chicago drew the line right with Lucas Williamson and Marquise Kennedy to take another double-digit lead in the last minute.

Two other free throws by Braden Norris made it 71-58 and safe with 48 seconds to go.

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