He described himself as a "butt-kicker" that pushed heavily on conditioning, complete with practice that had players rebound with weights on their ankles and shooting at rims smaller in circumference for accuracy while stressing tight defense and "organized confusion" on offense.

Ireland's team, led by Jerry Harkness and Les Hunter, compiled a 23–2 regular season record and finished first in the country in scoring, averaging 93.9 points per game.

After victories over Mississippi State, Illinois and Duke, the Ramblers reached the finals, where they faced two-time defending champion Cincinnati.

Loyola trailed Cincinnati 45-30 with 13:56 left in the game, but the Ramblers rallied to force an overtime session with pressing defense and a last-minute jump shot by Harkness.

On July 11, 2013, surviving members of Loyola's team were honored by President Barack Obama at the White House to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the school's championship.

Ireland was represented at the Oval Office ceremony by his daughter, Judy van Dyck, and by Loyola's current head coach, Porter Moser.