Sister Jean offers thoughts on Ohio State before Loyola Chicago matchup

Loyola Chicago is back in the NCAA Tournament, meaning team chaplain and self-proclaimed international sensation Sister Jean Dolores-Schmidt is back in the spotlight. Prior to the big dance, she offered her thoughts on the No. 10-seeded Ramblers’ first-round matchup with No. 7 seed Ohio State on Friday.

Sister Jean, 102, rose to fame in 2018 as Loyola Chicago rattled off a run to the Final Four as a No. 11 seed. As the Ramblers prepare for their third March Madness appearance in five years, she’s getting ready to scout the Buckeyes — just like she does for every game.

She said she’s not done with her scouting report yet, but added she knows the school well. Ohio State and Loyola Chicago play in the same men’s volleyball conference — the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association.

“I know the Buckeyes only from [men’s] volleyball because they play our [men’s] volleyball team and they’re always tough against our volleyball team,” Sister Jean told reporters in a pre-tournament Zoom on Wednesday. “So, that always translates in my head that buddies tell buddies stuff. They just might want to be out to get us.

“In fact, lots of people are always out to get us. I think it’s because we were the Cinderella that time. And it’s not a bad thing. They just want to win. Everybody wants to win. But for the basketball team, I know they did well. I know Ohio State did well. They’re in a higher conference than we are.”

More on Sister Jean, Loyola Chicago vs. Ohio State

As for her full scouting report, Sister Jean said she hasn’t sent it to the Loyola Chicago players just yet. She’s saving it for her pregame prayer, where she’ll pray for both teams and tell the Ramblers who to watch out for on the opposing team.

“I will do that when I say the prayer with them before the game because I have a pass that lets me downstairs to wherever it is here near their locker room,” Sister Jean said. “Before they go out for their last warm-up, that’s when we pray together and that’s when I’ll tell them. I have to do a little more scouting. I’ve done some, but I have to do a little more, and then I’ll tell them who to look out for as far as I can tell.

“I do that mostly by looking at the PDFs of the box scores of different teams and Ohio State … and their opponent, and then I’ll chat with them.”

No. 7 seed Ohio State takes on No. 10 seed Loyola Chicago Friday at 12:15 p.m. ET in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.