Arrogance isn't a good look on anyone. Ron Baker may be a humble kid from western Kansas, I see myself as one from south central Kansas.

I'm trying not to get too hyped over the streak and what may be. If I'm honest, I don't see a team in the country that I don't think we can beat. Maybe the Miami Heat But that guarantees nothing. WSU is focused and hard nosed. That there will keep them from becoming complacent and letting up. They're hungry and I honestly think that they believe they can win a national title. I think last years team believed they could win it all. I think they're capable, but a lot of things have to go right for that to happen. I've seen us lose to Valley teams that I felt had no business beating us. Games on the road at the Trees and Cats still worry me a little even though we beat them both by 20 or so in Wichita.

I like your analogy with Grant and Lee. That's not a bad way to look at it and that's honestly how we've won so many games the last few years. We don't typically have a lot of fall off from our starters to reserves. Our bench isn't quite as potent offensively this year, but they do all of the little things that allow us to find ways to rest our starters. This allows us to grind and wear down our opponents and a lot of times our opponents just get tired and we have more energy and pull away.

I recently heard that our team has been known to practice in weighted vests to help with endurance and strength. They've said numerous times that games are easier than practice. I'm not sure if there's a better conditioned team in the country. I say all of this but I'm trying to not get too high. Anything can happen on any given day.

_________________
The Roundhouse

Thus far, we've played road MVC conference games at Indiana State, Illinois State, and Evansville. The first two were before students were back on campus from the winter break, but still attracted 5300 fans to each. The Evansville game was the first weekend back from break, between two teams picked to finish in the low-mid part of the league, and the attendance there was 4310--- less than Gentile Arena capacity.

A few times we've thrown around the terms "big time" to describe the upgrade to the MVC, but we haven't really seen it yet. Tuesday's game at Wichita State is going to be an awakening. Each of Wichita State's 11 home games thus far have had the exact same attendance-- 10506. My guess is it's like the Bulls games at Chicago Stadium during the Jordan years, when the listed attendance was always understated to the same number-- 18,676-- the city's official fire code limit. The place is going to be LOUD, and chaotic. We are playing an undefeated team eager to continue their streak, ranked probably 3rd or 4th when the polls come out Monday, in a conference game with national media attention.

The last time Loyola played before a reported crowd that large was December 8, 2012, when we played at Michigan State. Only six members of our current roster saw court time in that game. The listed attendance at Michigan State was 14,797, but I know from having attended several games at the Breslin Center that there are plenty of unoccupied seats for non-conference games, and the intensity is nowhere near what it is for games in conference or against ranked opponenents.

Prior to this year, the last time we played a conference game with more than 4000 in attendance was nearly two years ago, at Butler, when the official attendance was 5812. Last year, the top attendance at any of our conference games-- home or away-- was 3917 for the game at UIC.

This game is definitely going to be "big time." I hope the players step up to meet the challenge, and I hope the Loyola fans watching can up their game, too. And if you miss the game, you can watch a probably 45 second or longer recap that night on SportsCenter.

WELL, now , I am the guy who is tossing around "BIG TIME". My term really had little to do with attendance , but it surely goes along for the ride.
My thinking went to History, Tradition and upgrade over the HL. schedule-wise. As we are seeing . attendance at these schools is huge compared to the HL and those of that level.
Not to de-negrate MO. ST,and No Iowa, the other schools in Conf have HISTORY as has to do with HOOPS--MO.ST is on the rise and N.Iowa IS now making a name for itself. Compare all our schools with say Green Bush--they did have a couple decent years ala Charlotte and say Jacksonville-- BUT our conf has tradition , history and famous players--All of them. Outsiders Know LOYOLA, BRADLEY INDY ST and the rest --Who the heck "knows" the HL schools other than DETROIT. We all know that BUTLER was and is--although now tarnished- a legend in their own minds. But that is about it.

The VALLEY goes way back--Their schools each has had some real glory--or most have--The others are coming on--

When people think College Hoops , the Valley is usually in the conversation-- For instance--great good stuff some not so much--the Evansville plane disaster, the Bradley bad money stuff--Larry Bird. Stallworth, SIU's....Name escapes me yuck !--Loyola's Harkness, Hughes and its Nat'l Championship (63)--soon to be joined hopefully by the Shockers.

That, Guys is THE BIG TIME--That is what I feel the VALLEY IS ..We punched our ticket Saturday--and we are re-earning our place as it was--in the BIG TIME.

The MVC is the 2nd oldest basketball conference behind I believe the IVY. 107 years strong and used to be arguably the top conference in the land during the 60s and 70s. You're right in that there is a lot of history and tradition with the Valley.

_________________
The Roundhouse

Just got a feeling that the Ramblers will step up on Tuesday. Nothing to loose and big crowd. They have been gaining experience, starting to figure out how to play with each other.. May not result in win but I hope PM does not get the team tight but lets them go. It may not result in a victory but may build confidence for the rest of the year. Someone has to take the lead on the court and Jeff White has got to have one of his 2/1 assists to turnovers. Turk has got to do the little things.....he can score and we need him offensively but he has got to handle the ball better, keep getting better at D and take good shots.
I had tickets for 6 games this year and have already been weathered out of two. So a lot of what I have seen has been on the little screen. For those of you who have been there a lot do you see anyone developing as a leader???? Jeff White who I really likes just seems very quiet and unemotional. Actually the team as a whole looks unconfident to me????
Maybe Ramblermania should set next years Wichita State game as a road trip game?

The Valley is the second oldest conference and the big 8 claimed it as well because they had members who were part of the founding of MVIAA. That claim went bye bye with the creation of the big 12. The Big 10 is the oldest conference

SIU - Walt Frazier

Good game yesterday. You guys have a quick, athletic team that plays very good defense. You have a bright future.
Hope those that made it down to Wichita enjoyed the game and had a nice time. Hopefully, I'll make it to the WSU game at Gentile Arena.

This was a very good game for WSU to have played and your team had a lot to do with that. I fully expect to see a nice win streak for your team.
Best of luck the rest of the year (excluding WSU of course).

Thanks Grad !! Frazier, of course--Just me adding fuel to the fire JUST prior to our visit down there--SHEESH--But that is what gray hair does to you