Wednesday, January 23, 2019, 8:00 p.m.
JQH Arena, Springfield, Missouri

The Ramblers head to Springfield on Wednesday night for the season’s first matchup with Missouri State. The new-look Bears under first-year head coach Dana Ford have been competitive in most games, but have been done in by a few glaring weaknesses.

The Bears are the best in the MVC in forcing turnovers, and they rank 27th nationally in opponent errors. MSU’s defense in the paint is very good, thanks to some good rim protectors. But their good inside defense comes at a cost—Missouri State has allowed opponents the third highest three-point shooting percentage (40.8%) in all of Division I. And since versatile, athletic, experienced forward Obediah Church has disappeared from the team, the team’s depth and shooting percentage have suffered.

The Bears were returning a few really good players this season—seniors Obediah Church, Jarred Dixon, and Ryan Kreklow would be starters on most MVC teams. Transfers Tulio Da Silva (South Florida), Jarred Ritter (Xavier), and Josh Webster (Texas Tech) have provided a huge boost; jucos Keandre Cook and Kabir Mohammad have also filled in some quality minutes.

Da Silva is an instant star in the Bears’ lineup. The 6’8” junior center/forward is a high-percentage scorer in the paint, and a significant rim protector. Though he didn’t become eligible until the end of the fall semester, the athletic Brazilian has led the Bears in points per game (15.7), rebounds per game (7.4), and shooting percentage (60.4%). Six-three guard Jarred Dixon averages 14.2 points per game, and 6’5” newcomer Cook averages 12.9 points. The other starters are 6’4” senior distance shooter Ryan Kreklow (8.2 ppg, 41.4% 3pt%), and 6’4” point guard Josh Webster (6.7 points, 5.4 assists per game).

Jarred Ritter is the first player off the bench and likes to shoot the three, but only connects on 22% of his shots. Kabir Mohammed is a 6’5” guard in the mold of Marques Townes, and averages 7.6 points and 4.2 rebounds off the bench.

Oddly, Missouri State has had trouble winning at home against conference foes. The Bears are 0-2 at home in conference and 2-1 on the road. Tulia Da Silva averages 19.6 points in MSU’s wins, and only 13.5 in their losses. The Bears have forced 20 or more opponent turnovers five times this season, and they’re 5-0 in those games. And finally, the Bears are 8-2 when they shoot 46.9% or better from the field, but 0-9 when they shoot less than 46.9% from the field (Loyola’s opponents have averaged 43.0% from the field).

The Ramblers are 3-2 in true road games, 2-1 in conference (including their last outing against Indiana State on Saturday). Loyola is 2-3 at JQH Arena since joining the MVC.

Loyola game notes: https://loyolaramblers.com/documents/20 ... df?id=8304

Missouri State game notes: https://missouristatebears.com/news/201 ... oyola.aspx

TV/Streaming video: CBS Sports Net https://www.cbssportsnetwork.com/

Live stats: https://missouristatebears.com/sidearms ... ll/summary

Vegas odds: Loyola by 4.5

The Missouri fans on the Missouri message board don't seem to confident about this game... We are definitely getting respect on most of these boards. It sure is great to reflect back to the times when every team was licking their chops when old Loyola was coming into town and how that has now changed...

Put me down for a Loyola win: 71- 65

I see us going to Krut early and often. Throw off their number one scorer, make him work and maybe get some foul trouble, especially with their depth down with Church gone.

I bet Krut has some nice assists to some 3pointers too, sounds like they’re not great at closing out.

I think we are justifiably favored in this game, but it does make me nervous that they have a guy like Kreklow who can get red hot. They also have some longer guards who might give us trouble.

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Vegas opened with Ramblers by 5.5; now down to 2 to 2.5.

I wonder if the smart money knows somethig we don't?

Maybe somebody saw the picture the team account posted on Twitter that showed Lucas wearing some type of cast or brace on his hand.

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That's exactly what I was thinking.

Can you post a link? I can't find the picture.

Yea I was wondering if it was that picture too?!?!

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MBB Scholarship Chart