Wednesday, February 11, 2015 7:00 p.m.
Gentile Arena, Chicago

Three and a half weeks ago, Loyola visited Southern Illinois with most indicators pointing up. The Ramblers were 13-4, 3-2 in conference, and winners of every game against unranked conference foes. But the struggling Salukis chose the Loyola visit to begin a push to escape the league basement. The Salukis have won three of their last seven, including an upset over a surging Illinois State team last weekend.

The Salukis have been receiving better play from junior guard Anthony Beane and freshman forward Jordan Caroline, who were both slumping to begin conference play. Beane has returned to his late season form from last year, averaging 16.5 ppg in his last seven games after beginning the conference season averaging 9.2 points through the first five contests. With outputs of 22 points at Drake and 23 points against Illinois State last week, Beane is the reigning MVC Player of the Week. Caroline has averaged 11 points and 6.6 boards over his last five outings, and freshman guard Deion Lavender has averaged 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2.5 made threes in the last two games.

The Ramblers have gone 1-5 without team leader Milton Doyle, who shut down to recuperate from an ankle injury immediately after the sub-par outing at SIU. Yet the Salukis are anything but road warriors, having lost every one of their road games since a one-point win at Southeast Missouri State on December 10. Loyola is almost certain to be without Doyle once again, but Christian Thomas should be returning to strength after suffering concussion symptoms three games ago and getting some time back on the court against Indiana State on Saturday. Earl Peterson also appears to be returning to peak health, matching his career high of 21 points against Indiana State and averaging 31 minutes, 16.5 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 0 turnovers in his last two games.

Loyola has yet to defeat Southern Illinois since joining the MVC. With the possibility of avoiding a Thursday night in early March down in St. Louis beginning to slip away, the importance of the Ramblers getting back on the winning track is obvious. The Ramblers need to be more consistent with their defensive intensity, get to the free throw line, and take care of the ball against a team that gets much of their offense from tight defending, breakaways, attacking the basket, and shooting off the dribble. Knocking off the Salukis for the first time before a roadie at Bradley would be a great way to start getting back in gear to end the season in a productive and positive way.

Loyola game notes: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/loy ... 210aaa.pdf

Southern Illinois game notes: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/sil ... _final.pdf

TV/Streaming audio: Comcast Sports Net, http://www.loyolaramblers.com/collegesportslive/

Vegas odds: Loyola by 4.5

So what are the odds......in all your humble opinions. I am bringing a friend who is a SIU grad who will be unmerciful for months if SIU wins. I need to know if I feel the flu coming on.

Yes, we need this one.

We can bury SIU with a win. MSU is the first to 10 losses. We can make SIU the second.

I'm looking forward to when we are looking at the top of the standings instead of at the bottom.

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KenPom gives us a 76% chance, which means you'd want to get 3:1 if you bet SIU as a hedge.

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Should be a rowdy bunch of SIU fans tonight, could make it fun.

http://www.salukination.net/viewtopic.p ... 3&start=15

Jesuit Jam is tonight which usually attracts a fair number of students ($1 hot dogs and free t-shirts will do that). Hopefully, the students are loud and into the game---I know the SIU fans will be. Should be a fun atmosphere tonight--especially considering it is a matchup of two bottom half teams.

To the surprise of very few, Doyle is out per Vegas insider. I think playing at home (siu has been dreadful on the road) helps us. Doyle being definitely out now opens up some minutes for the rest of our guards who are going to be much more productive than Doyle was in the 33 minutes he played the first game. Prediction: LU wins by 8. PM gets his first win ever vs SIU

Ps PM NEEDS to push the pace on offense. Oxen ball plays right into the dogs' strategy

Hoo-Ray for Super !! OXEN-BALL is NOT the way to go this night. Plat terrific on Defense as we NORMALLY do (Trees excepted) and SCORE quick and often on offense.

Hang on til Milton arrives--BUT Gang , I am truly concerned on this matter--Not optimistic whatsoever--As for the rest--Earl and the Turk MUST really pick it up--If they do Monte and Christian will prevail--

It all depends on PM releasing the scorers to do their thing against a team we can beat---
I believe we win this one 66-57 !!! BUT if ALL our guys roll--Kiki et al-We could rout these guys !!

Richardson starting.... hmmm.