Loyola Ramblers Preview – https://loyolaramblers.com/news/2025/2/ ... clash.aspx

St. Bonaventure Stats and Intel - https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/sc ... /2025.html

Record: 17-6 (5-5, 6th in A-10 MBB)
Coach: Mark Schmidt
PS/G: 71.4 (262nd of 364)
PA/G: 64.0 (19th of 364)
SRS: 6.34 (97th of 364)
SOS: -0.43 (160th of 364)
ORtg: 109.8 (131st of 364)
DRtg: 98.4 (63rd of 364)


St. Bonaventure Bonnies (17-6, 5-5) at Loyola Chicago Ramblers (13-8, 4-4) – 8:00pm CST Gentile Arena, Chicago IL

Loyola Chicago hits the floor again Tuesday night with a nationally televised game on CBS Sports Network vs St Bonaventure.

Loyola looks to ride the momentum from Saturday’s victory over St. Joe’s along with its newfound defensive identity – which has been effective on opponents the last two contests. The Ramblers have not won consecutive games since the first week of December.

Meanwhile, St. Bonaventure visits Chicago having lost its last three road games. They were victorious 74-72 over Fordham on Saturday, and last Tuesday they defeated Dayton at home by 22.

St. Bonaventure saw 91 percent of its scoring and 93 percent of its rebounding depart via graduation or transfer. Leading scorer Chad Venning (13.4 ppg), a second team all-Atlantic 10 pick, left for Boston College, while Mika Adams-Woods (12.8 ppg) and Charles Pride (10.9 ppg) both graduated.

The last time these two teams met should be best forgotten to our fan base, but not to our returning roster. After a second-half collapse with epically poor shooting and going scoreless without a single point in the game’s final 6 minutes, the Bonnies defeated the Ramblers in double-overtime (75-72) of the A10 quarterfinal.

The Bonnies got off to a hot start with six straight wins to open the year, losing just one non-conference game narrowly to Utah State. Five of their losses have come in A-10 play as they have a 5-5 league record. Three of the losses were on the road to VCU, Duquesne, and Saint Louis.

They average 71.4 pts per contest (262nd in the nation) while hitting 46.0% from the field. The Bonnies are shooting 33.0% from beyond the arc (150 of 454) and 72.7% from the free throw line. As a team, St. Bonaventure is pulling down 35.0 rebounds per contest and is #313 in D-1 in assists per game.

St. Bonnies starters all play heavy minutes – a trademark of coach Mark Schmidt's system and philosophy - with each guy getting 30 or more minutes per game. In each of their six losses, they’ve looked exhausted during the second halves of those games. Five Bonnies are averaging double-figure scoring efforts with Melvin Council Jr. leading the way at 14.4 points per game. He also has a team best 96 assists this year. Council, their horse who logs 36 minutes a game, is on a 14-game streak with at least 10 points or more. Second in scoring is 6-5 junior guard, Chance Moore. A transfer from Missouri State, Moore averages 13.7ppg on 48.4% shooting. 6-11 center, Noel Brown, a transfer from George Washington is their inside force at 12.7ppg. Also on the perimeter is 6-7 guard Lajae Jones a transfer from Tarleton State, who averages 11.0ppg.

Due to the potential fatigue factor, their road game losing streak, and individualistic style of play with poor assist numbers, I give the edge to Loyola for this one if Loyola’s defense is effective for a third straight game, and if engaged by interior scoring.

Loyola Probable Starters – Watson, Dawson, Nwaokorie, Houinsou, Rubin


LAST 10 GAMES FOR BOTH SQUADS

Ramblers: 4-6, averaging 68.0 points, 29.1 rebounds, 13.0 assists, 5.9 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 73.2 points per game.

Bonnies: 5-5, averaging 70.5 points, 30.7 rebounds, 10.9 assists, 5.1 steals and 2.8 blocks per game while shooting 46.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.6 points.


Watch / Listen – Tuesday night’s game can be watched on CBS Sports Network with John Sadak and Tre Demps on the call, and can be listened to Rambler Sports Network with our friends Sudikoff and CT.

Postgame Show - Tune in to Sudikoff on RSN, followed by TalkinBlers Spaces on the X: https://x.com/blerstalking?s=21


Odds: Loyola -2 (as of 8:30pm 2/3)

Notes from Saturday's win over St. Joe's:

- SJU shot 29.1%, the best defensive mark for Loyola against an A10 opponent since joining the league (5th best overall since joining the league)

- Loyola is now 25-2 when allowing less than 70 points over the last 2 seasons

- Loyola is now 7-2 this year when allowing 7 or fewer 3-ptrs

- Somewhat odd stat; Ramblers have had 15+ turnovers in 8 games, with a 4-4 record

- Loyola is 12-4 when scoring 30+ Pts in the Paint this year

- Loyola is 20-3 when the opponent shoots under 40% the last 2 years

Thanks for a great review.

Anyone watch St. Bonnies this year? any insights? Thoughts?

Back in November I saw them take down Providence. Thought it was a bigtime win but Providence hasn't amounted to anything this year.

Recently watched them lose at Duquesne and VCU. They got ran out of Duquesne's gym. In the VCU game they were leading thru the 25 minute mark but then they just got tired and could no longer keep up. VCU ran them down quickly as they did same to us. Council Jr. gets so overused and there's too much individualism and 1 on 1 play that I think that might be an issue and eventual downfall for them.

Well, then. That was fun.

- The 24-point margin of victory over St. Bona is Loyola's largest victory vs. an A-10 team since joining the league.

- The 53 points allowed is the 27th time in Drew Valentine Era that Loyola has allowed less than 60 points (while being the fewest scored by an A-10 opponent).

- Ramblers shot 59.6% which is 2nd best vs. D1 opponent this season & the 5th best vs a D1 opponent in the DV Era.

- Loyola is now 5-1 this season when the opponent shoots under 40% & 23-3 last 2 seasons.

- 14th time in the DV Era with 11+ 3PTers, and 4-1 this year with 10+ 3PM

- Loyola is now 5-2 this season when they attempt 25+ 3PTers.

- Loyola is now 8-2 when allowing 7 or fewer 3PM & opponents are 11 for 57 (19.2%) over the last 3 games.

- Opponents are scoring 55.3 PTS and shooting 33.9% over the last 3 games.

- Ramblers are 8-4 when they win the rebound battle & are 5-1 when it's a 10+ margin. St. Bona game was 22nd time Loyola had a 10+ margin in DV Era.

- Loyola's 24 AST was 2nd most vs. D1 opponent this year & the 4th time with 24+ in DV Era. Ramblers are 6-0 this year w/ 20+ AST.

- Loyola had 24 AST on 31 FG, a 77.4% clip, which is 3rd best this year.

- Ramblers had 11 STL vs. St. Bona & are 7-2 this year with 7+ STL. It's the 4th time this year w/ 11+ & 15th time in DV Era.

- Loyola is 13-4 with 30+ Paint Pts after 38 vs. St. Bona (Season Avg = 34.4)

- Loyola tied a season-high with 16 fast-break points vs. St. Bona (Tulsa).

- Ramblers scored 20 points off turnovers & are 8-2 with 15+ PTO this year & 4-1 with 20+ PTO.

- Loyola has now had a 15+ Point lead 8 times this year & are 8-0. It was the 4th time with lead of 25+.

playing very good basketball with the defense really heating up

12-1 at home. two winnable road games coming up that will help to define where we are at.

Fun times right now.

Since the St. Joe's blowout loss, we have been playing some solid basketball. Took two of the top teams in the league to OT on their court--and really should have won one of them, if not both. Defended home floor to the tune of 4-0. Three straight games playing phenomenal defense holding teams to under 60 points.

That shows a lot about the team and coaching staff. Responding to an embarrassing loss like that.

Was great to see Dawson catch fire last night. He started off ice cold--both shooting and turnovers. Could tell he was frustrated but also so close Then he saw one go through and after that, he couldn't miss. Give me that JD + that Des the rest of the season and we can play with anyone.

Miles had a great game. Only on TO. An absolute dunk machine. Bonnies had zero answer to the pick-and-roll. Wish he grabbed one more board for a double-double.

JQ had some strong takes to the hoop. Love when he finishes strong and invites contact. 4 TOs though.

17 TOs is still too many. If we weren't shooting and defending so well, that would have bit us.

Really hope Houinsou is OK. Looks like he just banged knees so hopefully it's a bad bruise and nothing more serious. He's been playing some really good ball for us. Five assists last night. Doesn't need to score big points to affect the game.

Big two game road trip ahead. Duquesne is a bottom half team that will be right on the pillow fight line. Richmond is pretty bad this year and is a definite pillow fight team. If we can grab two road wins and move to 7-4, we'd be setting ourselves up very well for a double bye. Still have two with SLU and one at home vs Dayton--the two other teams on the double bye cut line. VCU is looking like the clear best team in the conference, although they have a big game @UD Friday night.

Halfway through the conference season. Playing good basketball and phenomenal defense. Fun times!

Very nice team W. This is the defense we need to bring into the A10 tournament.

Seemed like the Bonnies drew up a poor gameplan against us. Drew mentioned they didn't play drop coverage, allowing Miles to wreak havoc with all that rim-running. I get the feeling we won't be seeing that again.