Loyola Ramblers Preview – https://loyolaramblers.com/news/2025/1/ ... esday.aspx

Fordham Stats and Intel - https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/sc ... /2025.html

Record: 8-10 (0-5, 15th in A-10 MBB)
Coach: Keith Urgo
PS/G: 76.2 (149th of 364)
PA/G: 78.3 (326th of 364)
SRS: -5.13 (222nd of 364)
SOS: -0.60 (174th of 364)
ORtg: 102.9 (277th of 364)
DRtg: 105.7 (251st of 364)


Fordham Rams (8-10, 0-5) at Loyola Chicago Ramblers (11-7, 2-3) – 7:00pm Gentile Arena, Chicago IL

After an entertaining, yet painful loss at Dayton Saturday, Loyola Chicago returns to Gentile Arena for its lone game of the week to host the winless Fordham Rams. Loyola looks to bounce back with a victory, and will get ready to hit the road next week to take on first place George Mason.

Fordham and Loyola meet for the fifth time in the history of the two programs and the third as A-10 conference members. In their last meeting on January 20, 2024 the Ramblers won @ Fordham 65-61.

The Fordham Rams come into this game looking to bounce back from a 120-118 3OT loss (heavily influenced by that game’s officiating) one week ago at the hands of UMass that kept them winless in conference play. The Rams were led by Jackie Johnson lll, who had 36 points. Japhet Medor added 25 points. Despite the high scoring and 65 free throw attempts, the Rams shot only 35% from the floor.

Fordham visits Gentile Arena tonight averaging 74.8 points per game, ranking 141st in the nation. The Rams snag around 10 offensive rebounds per game, placing them near the top 100 in the country, which gives them some second-chance opportunities. They also hold an effective field goal percentage of 48.1%, placing them near the bottom 100 nationally. From beyond the arc, Fordham connects on 32.1% of their attempts, ranking 258th, citing selective shooting from long range.

Defensively, Fordham allows 79.3 points per game, ranking 323rd in the nation. The Ram defense contests shots inconsistently, allowing opponents to log an effective field goal percentage of 52.5%, ranking 256th.

They have poor numbers and metrics in nearly every single offensive and defensive statistical category.

Jackie Johnson III leads the Rams in scoring with 18.9 PPG along with 2.4 APG while Japhet Medor has 12 PPG with a team-high 3.8 APG to lead the Rams in the assist department as the only other double-digit scorer for Fordham so far this season. Joshua Rivera has 9.9 PPG and 4.2 RPG while Jahmere Tripp has 9.6 PPG with 3.9 RPG and Romad Dean has a team-high 5.7 RPG so far this season. As a team, Fordham is averaging 76.2 PPG on 42.3% shooting from the field, 33.2% from three, and 71.6% from the foul line this season.

As part of an ongoing investigation with the NCAA, Fordham has self-imposed a four-game suspension for head coach Keith Urgo that begins tonight, consistent with the updated NCAA guidelines related to recruiting violations. Associate head coach Tray Woodall, in his fourth year with the Rams, will serve as interim coach.

Meanwhile, Loyola looks to go .500 in conference play tonight. In the most recent games, ball movement has improved, with the team averaging 16.2 assists per game and assisting on nearly 60% of their made field goals. To maximize their offensive potential, Loyola must focus on improving their free throw percentage and getting second chance opportunities when they present themselves..... AND please convert on layups and chip shots. Defensively, playing like they did in the second half against Dayton to help fuel their comeback and maintaining their defensive intensity while increasing pressure on opposing ball handlers will be important for Loyola if they want to climb back to .500 in conference and then rack up some additional upcoming wins.

Fordham will run a starting lineup of 5-11 guard Jackie Johnson III, 6-0 guard Japhet Medor, 6-7 forward Romad Dean, 6-8 forward Abdou Tsimbila, and 6-5 C Zach Riley.

Loyola’s starting 5 should then feature JQ, Dawson, Watson, Edwards, and Rubin.


LAST 10 GAMES FOR BOTH SQUADS

Loyola: 3-7, averaging 70.8 points, 29.4 rebounds, 13.1 assists, 5.6 steals and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 45.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 76.1 points per game.

[b]Fordham:[/b] 5-5, averaging 79.9 points, 36.0 rebounds, 13.2 assists, 8.1 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 42.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 81.6 points.


Watch / Listen – Wednesday’s game can be watched on ESPN+ with Jordan Bernfield and Nick DiNardi on the call, and can be listened to Rambler Sports Network with our friends Sudikoff and CT.

Postgame Show - Tune in to Sudikoff on RSN, followed by TalkinBlers Spaces on the X: https://x.com/blerstalking?s=21


Odds: Loyola -9.5

Thanks, Ragas! We need this one.

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MBB Scholarship Chart

Thanks for the preview.....we always seem to struggle with small guards .

Better to learn from wins than from losses but this team is so damn frustrating.

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MBB Scholarship Chart

Drew's postgame interviews have been excellent lately.

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MBB Scholarship Chart

Thanks for staying tuned in and listening.

Sheldon Edwards has been outstanding. What a true veteran leader and willing to step up when needed.

Agree. Shel has been a dawg for us

He's been our best player this year, really likeable guy. No ego, doesn't mind coming off the bench (he probably shouldn't be though), and short memory -- no hesitation to take a good look. Doesn't hurt that that his shot is so pure.

Sheldon's play has been superb since conference play has started - but really began after SanFran game.

Last 5 games - 14.6ppg
Per 40 minutes - 19.6ppg

#2 (A-10) currently in 3-point field goal percentage .393
#4 (A-10) currently with 55 made threes - which is also top 50 in the nation.

Offensive rating is 124.8 - #5 in the A-10

We all need to enjoy having Sheldon around these next 2 months as he will be very much missed around here next year.