Jim Whitesell picked up the phone Monday and reported "nothing but positive energy" flowing out of Loyola's Alumni Gym.
On the other side of town, Illinois-Chicago coach Jimmy Collins desperately tried to hold the pieces together.
Only 10 miles separate Loyola and UIC, but the two programs are a world apart heading into the Horizon League tournament, which begins today.
No. 4 seed Loyola hosts No. 9 Youngstown State, while fifth-seeded UIC welcomes No. 8 Cleveland State to the Pavilion. If the Ramblers and the Flames win their respective first-round games, they'll meet in the quarterfinals Friday in Milwaukee.
Unity and defense are the main concerns for Collins, whose team vies for a second consecutive tournament title and fourth straight postseason appearance. UIC lost three of its final four regular-season league games, allowing an average of 80.8 points in the span.
"There have been some hidden agendas and some animosities the entire season," said Collins, who lamented the absence of former point guard and team leader Martell Bailey, who did not qualify to play this season. "They haven't been helping each other.
"For instance, a post player is supposed to hedge to give the guard an opportunity to get over or through a pick. A guard is supposed to seal to give the post man an opportunity to get his man off the boards. Our rotation has really been bad in those areas."
The outside distractions that have plagued UIC in the past became very public last Wednesday against Wright State.
Near the end of the game, an altercation took place between the families of Flames seniors Cedrick Banks and Armond Williams after Williams attempted a 3-pointer instead of passing to Banks, who was going for the school's all-time scoring record.
Fortunately for UIC, Banks and Williams are always focused in the league tournament. The Flames are 6-1 in tournament games with their veteran tandem on the court.
"We do have experience and guys do remember the great feeling to participate (in the NCAA Tournament)," Collins said. "We've got to hope some guys start liking each other or staying together well enough to adopt a common goal."
Loyola has had no trouble bonding behind sophomore Blake Schilb and senior DaJuan Gouard. The Ramblers are 8-4 since Gouard returned from a knee injury Jan. 15.
Schilb earned first-team all-league honors Monday after placing in the top 11 in scoring (17.1 ppg), rebounding (5.5 rpg), assists (4.2 apg) and steals (1.63 spg).
"Versatility's probably his strength," Whitesell said. "He's a good-size point guard; he can shoot the 3; he can post up; he's a good passer in the post. He had to push out that potential every night."
Loyola's recent success makes it a team no one wants to face in an elimination format. The Ramblers are well-rested and happy to be home, but Whitesell quashes any notions of overconfidence.
"I haven't been overconfident since I've taken this job," he said. "A lot of sports is feeling good about yourself. And certainly we're feeling like, 'Hey, we've got a chance.'
"That's the great thing about the tournament. Anything can happen."
On the other side of town, Illinois-Chicago coach Jimmy Collins desperately tried to hold the pieces together.
Only 10 miles separate Loyola and UIC, but the two programs are a world apart heading into the Horizon League tournament, which begins today.
No. 4 seed Loyola hosts No. 9 Youngstown State, while fifth-seeded UIC welcomes No. 8 Cleveland State to the Pavilion. If the Ramblers and the Flames win their respective first-round games, they'll meet in the quarterfinals Friday in Milwaukee.
Unity and defense are the main concerns for Collins, whose team vies for a second consecutive tournament title and fourth straight postseason appearance. UIC lost three of its final four regular-season league games, allowing an average of 80.8 points in the span.
"There have been some hidden agendas and some animosities the entire season," said Collins, who lamented the absence of former point guard and team leader Martell Bailey, who did not qualify to play this season. "They haven't been helping each other.
"For instance, a post player is supposed to hedge to give the guard an opportunity to get over or through a pick. A guard is supposed to seal to give the post man an opportunity to get his man off the boards. Our rotation has really been bad in those areas."
The outside distractions that have plagued UIC in the past became very public last Wednesday against Wright State.
Near the end of the game, an altercation took place between the families of Flames seniors Cedrick Banks and Armond Williams after Williams attempted a 3-pointer instead of passing to Banks, who was going for the school's all-time scoring record.
Fortunately for UIC, Banks and Williams are always focused in the league tournament. The Flames are 6-1 in tournament games with their veteran tandem on the court.
"We do have experience and guys do remember the great feeling to participate (in the NCAA Tournament)," Collins said. "We've got to hope some guys start liking each other or staying together well enough to adopt a common goal."
Loyola has had no trouble bonding behind sophomore Blake Schilb and senior DaJuan Gouard. The Ramblers are 8-4 since Gouard returned from a knee injury Jan. 15.
Schilb earned first-team all-league honors Monday after placing in the top 11 in scoring (17.1 ppg), rebounding (5.5 rpg), assists (4.2 apg) and steals (1.63 spg).
"Versatility's probably his strength," Whitesell said. "He's a good-size point guard; he can shoot the 3; he can post up; he's a good passer in the post. He had to push out that potential every night."
Loyola's recent success makes it a team no one wants to face in an elimination format. The Ramblers are well-rested and happy to be home, but Whitesell quashes any notions of overconfidence.
"I haven't been overconfident since I've taken this job," he said. "A lot of sports is feeling good about yourself. And certainly we're feeling like, 'Hey, we've got a chance.'
"That's the great thing about the tournament. Anything can happen."
