Interesting that they think we won't improve on last year. If we end up on the cusp with only CBI/CIT bids, I'd guess that they'd keep the team home.

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Cigarboy sucks!

Agreed, Go !! But then I am NOT in Porter
s mind. I do feel we have proved ourselves on the minor tourney level. Why do it once again?? We are on the way up and will be if this bunch plays and is coached as last year's did and was . I really feel we at worst will be NIT material --

GO RAMBLERS !!

Indiana State comes in at #101 in this preview, 29 spots ahead of us. I think we should be/will be much better than Indiana State this year. Northwestern came in at #94 today. I'm assuming Evansville, UNI, Illinois State, and Wichita State previews are all still to come.

These previews are good for discussion and to get us excited about the season but as far as in-depth analysis I doubt it. I would be surprised if they even talked to anyone or spent more than a couple of hours looking at some known information. Reputation probably counts for a lot and even with our tourney victory last year there were not a lot of known powerhouses in the tnmt. So we win some big games this year including shocking the Shockers and maybe these preview people actually send someone to campus. Feeling good about the season!!!!

Little bias thrown your way but I have to disagree. Indiana state finished tied for third with 7 newcomers. Although Loyola did spank them in tournament I do not think Loyola was the better team overall. However I do believe that Loyola should have been rated higher than #130. Regardless of how I everyone feels, I do believe top 6 in the conference will be WSU, UE, ILL ST, INSU, and LOY. Not really in that order. Ill admit I was not too keen on you guys joining the MVC but you guys have proven to everybody that you belong. Hope you guys keep getting better and keep expanding your fan base.

It will take more than one season where the marbles seemed to fall in place a bit to move into the top three in the conference. Now do it again this season & I will re-think my statement. The Sycamores are a good example of the ups & downs that occur from season to season irregardless of fan expectations.

I'm guessing the sixth team that you left out of that is UNI. If that's the case, I agree with you.

However, I'd be willing to bet you a Wednesday night $1 hot dog that Loyola finishes ahead of INSU this year

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MBB Scholarship Chart

Loyola lost both regular season games against Indiana State last year. The first was an 11-point loss in Terre Haute without Milton Doyle and with Indiana State going 12-17 on threes. In the second, Indiana State went 10-19 on threes, while Kitchell and Gant (both gone now) combined for 24 points, again without Milton Doyle-- and more than 60% of Loyola's court minutes coming from first year D1 players.

In the only meeting with Loyola playing Doyle, the Ramblers won by 28 points. Loyola lost Christian Thomas, but the Trees lost Gant, Kitchell, Bennett, and won't have Bell (foot injury). That's the basis for my suggestion that Loyola will be better than ISUb next year.

I too would put Loyola ahead of the Trees right now. Maybe I'm wrong in thinking LU takes a big step this year, but I think they're ready to show that they can contend for the top 3.

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The Roundhouse