Loyola Ramblers Preview – https://loyolaramblers.com/news/2025/11 ... eries.aspx

Northern Iowa Stats and Intel - https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/sc ... /2026.html

Record: 5-0 (MVC MBB)
Coach: Ben Jacobson
PS/G: 72.2 (288th of 365)
PA/G: 59.0 (7th of 365)
SRS: 12.50 (68th of 365)
SOS: -0.70 (195th of 365)
ORtg: 108.4 (214th of 365)
DRtg: 88.6 (22nd of 365)
Preseason Odds: Championship +200000


Northern Iowa Panthers (5-0) vs Loyola Chicago Ramblers (1-5) – 3:00pm CST, Acrisure Arena, Palm Springs, CA

The first game of the Acrisure Invitational opens this afternoon as Loyola Chicago meets with former MVC foe Northern Iowa. Loyola looks to break the curse and rid themselves of a putrid five-game losing streak. This week’s schedule has LUC playing UNI Tuesday, and either Tulsa or San Jose State on Wednesday.

Last time out, the Ramblers lost another forgettable home game 76-59 to Northern Illinois. In this one, the NIU Huskies shot 41.2% from downtown by shooting 14 out of 34 and did work on the offensive glass with 15 rebounds. That was the game. The defense and defensive rebounding effort especially was next level laziness and awful.

"Tonight was incredibly disappointing," said head coach Drew Valentine. "I thought we had a great week of practice and good attitudes. We've gotta be better. I have to do a better job figuring out who can play, when to sub, and how to have success because it is clearly not working out for us right now."

After the first 6 games out of 365 Division-1 teams, the Ramblers rank #317 in scoring points per game (69.7), #279 in points allowed per game (79.3), and at the bottom in defensive rating #353. Bad, bad, very bad.

Looking at today’s opponent, UNI is 5-0 heading into the week's tournament play and are projected to finish in the top 1-2 or 3 of the Missouri Valley Conference. So far, the Panthers have picked wins over CSUN, South Dakota State, Furman, NIU, and UC Irvine in overtime. The first four opponents were held to 58 or less points. UNI has the country's eighth best scoring defense, holding its opponents to 59.0 points.

As expected, this year’s UNI squad is playing clean, fundamentally sound team basketball. Thru the first 5 contests they take care of the ball, just turning it over 10x per game, and only commit 16 fouls per game. They just seem to do everything right, and their play begins on the defensive end. Trey Campbell is averaging 14.4 points and 3.8 assists, while Leon Bond III is averaging 13 points and 5.8 rebounds. Tristan Smith is the third option at 12.4ppg, and Will Hornseth 10.0ppg. Former Loyola Rambler Ben Schwieger is UNI's sixth man, contributing 9.4ppg and 4rpg.

Ben Jacobson is in his 20th season of head coaching. He has a 379-246 overall record.

Noteworthy facts and numbers:

• Loyola has lost nine of its last 10 games against non-Conference opponents at neutral venues.
• Loyola ranks 360th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw percentage this season (80.7%).
• Loyola ranks 358th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (11.0).
• Northern Iowa ranks T15th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (53.0).
• Northern Iowa ranks T17th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goals made per game this season (21.0).

UNI Probable Starters – 6-3 G Trey Campbell, 6-5 G Leon Bond, 6-6 F Tristan Smith, 6-8 F Will Hornseth, 6-4 G Max Weisbrod

Loyola Probable Starters – Rubin, Ola-Joseph, Love III, Moore, Tavarez

LAST 10 GAMES FOR BOTH SQUADS
N/A


Watch / Listen – Tuesday afternoon’s game is NOT televised despite CBS Sports Network app previously indicating a broadcast. If we can find a live stream of it, link will be posted. Otherwise, listen exclusively 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: Northern Iowa -8.5

Good luck to us!

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Sounds like Royster is getting playing time. Coach trying to send a message.

We have 1 point through 6 minutes.

Is there another win on the schedule? We are arguably looking at one of the worst teams in program history.


Unbelievable given the preseason expectations.

This team is a total embarrassment. I think it's the first time in my life that I actively do not like our team.

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Can’t wait to get blown out by Chicago state

UNI to Loyola

FG% 45 to 30
3s 43% to 32%
FT 67% to 60%
TOs 3 to 11 (no, no, no)
Pts off TOs 16 to 2 (more bad)
Reb 32 to 43 (I like)
Off Reb 4 to 13 (ok, improved, but more to a game than just rebounds)
Pts in Pt 20 to 14
FastBrk 11 to 3 (bad again)
Steals 8 to 2 (ouch)
Lead Time 39 to 0 (no surprise, I hate to say)


Uhm, we're playing undisciplined ball against someone (Ben Jacobson) who instills discipline amongst his players.


"This isn't working out, Dalton"

Feel the same. And not just because they are losing. It is because of the lack of effort. The lack of discipline. The seeming indifference to getting their asses kicked by the likes of Mercyhurst, Northern Illinois. Just being uncompetitive and having no fire, no pride, no "culture".

I legitimately think we will be lucky to get to 5 wins this year. And I think it is safe to say that this may be, by the metrics, the worst team in Loyola history.

At this point, what do you do? What can you do? What left is there to even say about them and this?

This team is unwatchable and bad. The worst in all of D-1.

Many of us have invested time, money, support, and ourselves to the program and institution in many different ways. The worst thing that could happen next (assuming we keep sucking badly like this) is fan fallout and people jumping ship as a result of this. Sadly, might happen.

I haven’t been able to attend the last few home games but compared to the past LUC teams (I will go prior 25 years) this 25-26 team is completely disengaged to be here and disconnected from the fans and community unlike all the other teams we’ve watched over the years. Frankly, I don’t want any of these guys back next year besides our freshmen and walk-ons.

We’ve seen past Drew teams rally off 8-9-10-11 wins in a row before when the season and schedule starts to matter, but just not seeing that possible with these guys. No signs of recovery here.

I mean I'd take Miles and Deywilk back, too, but yeah.

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