Sunday, February 12, 2017 3:00 p.m.
Gentile Arena, Chicago, Ill.

When the Ramblers played Wichita State one month ago, Loyola performed well in cutting a 19-point deficit to just four points with 4:36 left to play. But that was as close as they would get as the Shockers held Loyola scoreless over the last 1:46 while hitting six consecutive free throws in an 87-75 win. Remarkably, Loyola outrebounded the Shockers 29-26, and had a 6-4 advantage on the offensive glass. But a career-high 26 points from Markis McDuffie (more than 14 points over his average points per game) and 12 timely three-pointers carried the day for WSU.

The feeling by many was, back in those wistful days before three crushing conference road losses by a total of six points to teams the Ramblers really should have beaten, that Loyola quite probably would have won that game against WSU if it had been held at Gentile Arena. But today—in the midst of a three-game losing streak, under .500 in conference, fresh off a two-point loss to a last place team, and in real danger of dropping down to a Thursday squad -- that game a month ago at WSU looks utterly meaningless, other than it being yet another loss where the team played well for a good chunk of the game.

The Shockers followed their scare from Loyola with their only loss of the conference season, 76-62 at Illinois State back on Jan. 14. Demonstrably chastened by that loss-- and the unfamiliar and disturbing feeling of not being in first place for a huge chunk of the season—the Shockers have been single-minded and resolute in the seven games since, winning those contests by an average margin of 22.4 points. They beat the undefeated league-leader by 41 points, and they beat Southern Illinois by 32 points. Their closest call during their seven-game winning streak was an eight-point win at Drake.

The Ramblers have become sloppy handling the ball lately. During the current three-game losing streak, the Ramblers have been on the losing end of the turnover tally each time. In the past seven games, Loyola has averaged 14.9 turnovers per game after committing an average of 11.1 in their first 19 games. Loyola is 13-3 on the season when they win the turnover battle; they’re 3-7 when they commit more turnovers than the opposition.

Throughout the season, the Ramblers have used better ball handling and a positive turnover margin to compensate for below-average rebounding. When Loyola wins (or ties) both the rebounding and turnover margin they’re 4-0, and when they lose both they’re 0-3. If the Ramblers can win the rebounding battle against WSU, as they did on Jan. 14 in Wichita, and get back to their early season form in ball handling, that’s likely the only way to get their first win against Wichita since joining the conference.

Loyola game notes: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/loy ... 211aaa.pdf

Wichita State game notes: Pending

TV/Streaming video: ESPNU (http://www.espn.com/watchespn/index/_/i ... olachicago) Note: ESPNU is only available to stream if you have ESPNU on your cable package.

Radio/Streaming audio: WLUW 88.7 FM (You can also listen on mobile with the WLUW app, or online at wluw.org)

Vegas odds: Shockers by 9

According to the Twitters on Friday there were only about 500 tickets left. So, that's good. I'm guessing that doesn't include the student section.

Sure is quiet round here. I know it's been a rough few weeks, but games like today can flip things quick. We know we can play with these guys. I still think we can. At this point it's all or nothing in St Louis, so here's to today being the first step towards our March run.

Who's going to be watching, and where? I don't have ESPNU on my cable package, so I'm probably going to listen to WLUW and watch the stats update. Unless it gets interesting, and then I might visit a sports bar.

So who is where? Let's see a roll call.....

I'll be at the game

Brot will be looking at the HUGE crowd at Gentile !! Of course our students probably will not be there in DROVES !! The usual suspects will be their of course --all fifty of them !!
Gee I hope Milton and the boys do well--Plus I HOPE finally they get a little GOOD luck-- I feel our team will NOT lay down and die, but thje nine point spread is about right !!

Decent start but must watch the fouls !! Up 10/9 at firsr break

Watching from my apartment. May get a little superstitious and switch over to the radio feed depending on how the game is going. Liking how it's going so far. It sounds like a ton of fun in Gentile.

The offensive rebounds we are giving up are going to kill us.

Down by 4 at halftime to the best team in the conference. At home. I wonder when was the last time those guys lost a game they led at halftime?

We can't shoot 3 for 12 on three pointers for a half and expect to beat these guys.