Tuesday, December 18, 2018, 7:00 p.m.
Gentile Arena, Chicago, Illinois

Loyola returned from finals break to knock off Norfolk State with perhaps their best offensive performance of the season. The Ramblers shot an eye-popping 68.3% from the field and 13 of 22 attempts from behind arc (59.1%) against Norfolk State in a stress-free 80-49 win. It was Loyola’s biggest margin of victory on the season, and Norfolk State’s largest losing margin.

The Ramblers get another chance to build cohesion and integrate newcomer when Benedictine University visits Gentile Arena on Tuesday night. Benedictine is considering moving from Division III to Division II, and ramping up athletics. Many of the better area high school players have landed at Benedictine, and Loyola players will know many of the players in the other jerseys.

The star of the Eagles is undoubtedly 6’7” junior forward Eric Grygo out of Addison Trail HS. Grygo averages 15.6 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, and also leads the team in shooting percentage and steals. Freshman guard Michael Johnson out of Sunrise Christian (where he was a teammate of Isiah Bujdoso last season) has scored in double figures in each of his games since he became available at the beginning of December. Lanky 6’6” junior guard Kenny Bogus from Lake Park HS in Roselle averages 10.6 points per game, leads the team in assists (4.4 per game), and shoots almost 40% from distance.

Other possibly familiar names include 6’7” sophomore forward Kyle Hornacek (Jeff’s nephew), and 6’2” freshman guard Derrick Faulkner from Whitney Young (a teammate of Lucas Williamson on the 2017 state championship team). Six-six freshman forward Bryan Jakobsze from Downer’s Grove North is also a key performer.

Against Norfolk State, Loyola’s bench saw 76 combined minutes on the court and scored 22 points, led by Bruno Skokna’s 13 points in his return following a thumb injury. The Ramblers should get a chance to get some serious game minutes for some of the newcomers and bench players.

Loyola game notes: https://loyolaramblers.com/documents/20 ... df?id=8259

TV/Streaming video: ESPN + http://www.espn.com/watch/_/id/32163dc7 ... olachicago

Live stats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=234960

Attendance will be helped by the fact that Benedictine has 23 players on its roster.

Attendance at this game is going to be the worst of the year by far....

This was the one game on the schedule that i really didn't like. Maybe it gives our guys a bit of a break and gets our new guys some more time on the Court before conference play starts... but it does little else. Oh well.

No injuries, please.

Games like this makes the 1:30 drive from the burbs feel like 3 hours!!!

STOP THE TURNOVERS.

We need to bring in Aher Uguak in this game. No one on Benedictine could guard him.

If big Frank can fine tune and start to use more these inside moves and shots, that would be huge.

I love watching Big Frank play. He's getting better every time he comes into a game. Love his enthusiasm.

Yes, and despite the turnovers, I actually think his footwork has improved a bit.

Would like to see Kaifes get more than one shot in 16 minutes.

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