Wednesday, February 12, 2014 7:00 p.m.
McLeod Center, Cedar Falls, IA


Northern Iowa is a different team than the one Loyola faced at Gentile Arena on Jan. 25, when the Ramblers forced overtime after trailing most of the game, and went on to prevail 93-87. The Panthers were the preseason pick to finish 3rd in the MVC and had a 4-3 conference record coming into that game. Since the loss at Loyola knocked them down to .500 in the league, they’re 1-3 in conference (including 1-2 at home) and now sit in 7th place.

Just three minutes into their next game after Loyola, the Panthers lost their third leading scorer, sixth man and sometimes starter Nate Buss. The 6’9” junior forward averaged 10.8 points and 4.8 boards per game before his partially torn meniscus knocked him out of commission for 2-3 weeks.

Before the loss of Buss, UNI was undefeated at home, including impressive wins against VCU, Iona, and a 34-point shellacking of Bradley. With Buss completely out of the box score, the Panthers haven’t won a game, and have been outscored 174-144 in second halves of games since Buss last played. Normally a solid rebounding team, UNI hasn’t out-rebounded an opponent since a Jan. 11 home win over Drake, and they’ve gone 2-6 during that span.

But don’t expect Loyola to waltz in to the McLeod Center and walk out with a victory. Loyola is the only remaining team in the MVC without a road win, and they’ve never won at UNI in three tries. The win over UNI two weeks ago in Chicago was a dogfight that the Ramblers were mighty fortunate to win. Hopefully, Loyola can build on their encouraging road performances in Wichita and Carbondale and take advantage of UNI’s shaken confidence to dump their road losing streak in an Iowa cornfield.

Keys to a Loyola victory: Don’t let the road butterflies creep in, take care of the ball, don’t be afraid to drive to the basket, rebound. I think UNI doesn’t have much of an answer for Milton Doyle, and if Osborne can keep out of foul trouble while making a few put-backs on rebounds, we have a chance.

Vegas opening line: UNI by 12

Loyola game notes: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/loy ... 211aaa.pdf

Northern Iowa game notes: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/loy ... a_niwa.pdf

Streaming video: http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/id ... thern-Iowa

Loyola audio: http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/luc.portal#

Northern Iowa message board: http://www.panthernation.com/forumdisplay.php?f=8

UPDATE: UNI message board quotes the coach after Saturday's game with Wichita State that forward Nate Buss might be available for the game if he can practice without swelling, and could be available "in an emergency." So my guess is he likely won't start, and probably wouldn't play unless Loyola is running away, Tuttle gets into foul trouble, or it's too close for comfort late.

Also, the opening line of UNI by 12 is now down to 10.5.

Word was Saturday that he was dressed and I think participated in pregame warmups. He's a good player but if he plays he's bound to be a little rusty.

Biggest thing is probably clamping down on Tuttle and not letting Bohanan go nuts from deep. If he catches fire he can be hard to stop from deep.

Best of luck tonight.

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The Roundhouse

Thanks, Sub!

On the coaches' conference call yesterday, Jacobson said that Buss practiced and responded well. He called Buss probable.

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MBB Scholarship Chart

Yikes...I may grab some of that 12 point action!! I thought one of the cool things Sunday was that The Ramblers stared their nemesis down and responded. It seems like when ISU cut it to 9 and the ISU fans were rocking and rolling a couple a guys had that "here we go again" look but a few others had that we are not going to let this happen again look and they took it all the way up to 19 with a chance to get it to 20. My point is that maybe the Ramblers are getting some confidence in themselves which might get them over the road trip blues. I truly though we had the better team against ISU.
Also any thoughts on OLeary. He really looks unconfident
GO RAMBLERS

I listened to that clip also. He talked about Buss working his way into the starting lineup before the injury, but sounded like he's more likely to use Buss coming off the bench if he's going to play at all. You also have to figure that he doesn't want to completely tip his cards in a broadcast conference call.

There's been only one game this season where I have felt like O'leary wasn't the worst player on the court when was on (forget who--but he ended up grabbing 5 assists). Even on Sunday when the team was clicking against ISU he seemed completely lost a lot of the time--0 points, 2 boards, 2 fouls and a turnover in 13 minutes, not exactly productive 6th-man minutes. Anyone know where Cody Johnson was Sunday?

Hoping Joe Chrisman stays hot tonight! Go Ramblers, let's get that road win.

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Founder and Chairman, Swaggy T Fan Club*

*Swaggy T Fan Club is not associated with Loyola University Chicago or Devon "Swaggy T" Turk; it is not owned or operated by employees or representatives of the entities mentioned.

I love that I can watch these games on ESPN3. Hunched over a computer is no way to watch a game (he said as he will spend the next two hours hunched over a computer posting on a messageboard)

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Cigarboy sucks!

Need better rotations off the double team of Tuttle. Buss in now.

Just keep it close.

By the way...totally unimpressed with the turnout for UNI.

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Cigarboy sucks!