Saturday, March 3, 2018 2:30 p.m.
Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Mo.

Loyola advances to the 2018 Missouri Valley Conference tournament semifinals with a nerve-wracking 54-50 victory over Northern Iowa. Donte Ingram and Marques Townes were the two offensive stars for the Ramblers, scoring 13 points each on combined 11 for 19 shooting from the field. The win was Loyola’s eighth win in a row, constituting Loyola’s longest winning streak since 1984-85. Loyola has had seven 7-game winning streaks in the past 12 seasons, but hasn’t won eight in a row since their 19-game winning streak was ended by Georgetown in the 1985 Sweet 16.

This is the second time the Ramblers have reached the Arch Madness semifinals, the last time being in 2015, when Northern Iowa knocked the 6th seed Ramblers out of the tournament on the way to a title and a 2nd round NCAA Tournament loss to Louisville. Loyola went on to win the CBI that season.

Loyola will face Bradley, who advanced to the semifinals thanks to a thrilling, last second 63-61 win over Drake. Bradley’s only senior, Donte Thomas, had an offensive rebound and put-back just before time ran out. Thomas has been a similar player to Loyola’s Donte Ingram over his career, and the two have had some fierce battles during the nine games they’ve played over their careers. In their last meeting on Jan. 31, Thomas got the better of the other Donte, getting a win, scoring 12 points, and holding Ingram to a season-low two points. Ingram has scored 91 points against Bradley in the nine games, and Thomas has scored 65. Their tenth meeting will determine whose college basketball career continues, and whose comes to an end.

The Ramblers are 2-0 against the Braves at Arch Madness. Loyola and Bradley are meeting for the 60th time in a series that dates back to 1928. The Braves hold a 34-25 advantage all-time, but the Ramblers have won eight of the last 10 contests.

Last time the two teams met, the Braves survived a furious late comeback attempt by the Ramblers on Jan. 31 at Carver Arena, when Loyola cut an 11-point deficit down to 1 with two minutes to go, but lost 69-67. Bradley freshman Elijah Childs was superb in that game, scoring 18 points and snagging seven rebounds. Three other Bradley players, Donte Thomas, Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye, and Nate Kennell, added 12 points apiece. Clayton Custer led Loyola with 23 points.

Since their last meeting, the Braves have struggled to close out the season losing five of their last seven regular season games before their win on Friday. Many Bradley fans feel that they match up well with Loyola, and as one of the three MVC teams that beat Loyola during the conference season and one of two teams all year to beat Loyola with Clayton Custer in the lineup, they have a solid claim.


Arch Madness Tournament Notebook: http://www.mvc-sports.com/sports/2017/8 ... ntral.aspx

Loyola game notes: http://www.loyolaramblers.com/documents ... df?id=6898

Bradley game notes: Pending

TV/Streaming video: CBS Sports Network / https://www.cbssports.com/cbssports

Stats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=209934

Vegas odds: Loyola by 6.5

As always, excellent preview JCT! Thanks!

One way or t'other our Donte will STILL be playing ! BUT JCT your point is made

BetOnline has the Ramblers 6.5 point favorites.

Thanks, swella Are you watching from Chicago?

Yeah, unfortunately. Watched UNI game at Bulldog Ale House by Loyola. Fun atmosphere with lot of cheering fans. Only downside is I'm like you in preferring to assume the fetal position during close games and I wasn't able to do so at the bar.

I just hope the refs remember this time that Bradley is not allowed to grab our net/rim when we shoot

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Cigarboy sucks!

Nice info on predictions and past performance. BUT, we need to play this game today without resting on our laurels or thinking about the future. Sounds simple, but it isn't in reality. I believe our players know this and will not get away from a solid game plan and stay the course. In my perfect world our bench would not keep shrinking at every step we take closer to the finish line. Must be a tough call for the coaches to decide between minimizing the turnovers and tiring out his key horses. Tough job! Gotta have trust in everyone as the air gets thinner and thinner. Who's gonna step up today? Find out soon enough, stay tuned.
GO RAMBLERS...

Any news on Custer's ankle?