Wednesday, December 31, 2014 1:00 p.m.
Gentile Arena, Chicago

Loyola’s MVC conference play begins with a New Year’s Eve matinee with Bradley, a team that was predicted to challenge for a spot in the middle of the MVC standings, but has suffered a number of injuries. Coach Geno Ford has had to shuffle his lineups, which has resulted in extremely inconsistent play by the Braves. Bradley has had some very good games—handing the only defeat to Central Michigan, and sustaining tough three-point losses to St. Louis and Kansas State—mixed with major disappointments. The 5-8 Braves have won their last five games at home, including Sunday’s 68-60 win over UIC, but have yet to notch a victory in six games outside Peoria.

The starting lineup against Loyola will likely consist of 6’1” junior guard Ka’Darryl Bell, 5’11” junior guard Tramique Sutherland, 6’8” senior forward Auston Barnes, 6’7” freshman forward Josh Cunningham, and 6’9” sophomore center/forward Xzavier Taylor. Tops off the bench is 6’4” junior guard Omari Greer. Three big forwards, 6’8” Illinois transfer Mike Shaw, 6’7” freshman Donte Thomas, and 6’8” junior Jermaine Morgan see considerable playing time.

Sutherland, Barnes and Grier each average more than 10 ppg. Bell and Sutherland are the top assist-makers, and Cunningham leads in rebounds with 6.5 per game. Grier leads in made three pointers, but Barnes, at 6'8", is tops in long range accuracy-- which could cause some matchup problems for the Ramblers. Six of Bradley’s top 10 players in minutes—Bell, Barnes, Cunningham, Taylor, Shaw, and Morgan—are from Chicago, and Thomas is from nearby Calumet City, so expect a large Bradley contingent to see the game.

Bradley relies on defense to stay in games. They’re excellent rebounders, they’re disruptive, their inside players have a lot of length, they’re quick, and they keep their opposition working hard for points. However, they’re a very bad shooting team, making only 38% of their field goals, less than 35% of their three pointers, and hitting 63.4% as a team from the free throw line. Those numbers are much lower away from Carver Arena; the Braves average only 49.8 points per game on offense away from Peoria, yet they’ve held their opposition to only 59.8 points per game. Leading scorer Warren Jones sustained a stress fracture in his foot in early December and won’t return until mid to late January. Sutherland has been back in the lineup for only four games after suffering a preseason hand injury, but has since added an offensive spark with 15.3 ppg, and swoops in for 6 rebounds per game.

The 2014-15 Braves have a lot of talent on paper, but haven’t been able to perform up to expectations. They began the season poorly, losing their exhibition game to Augustana, and their first two home games to Texas-Arlington and Robert Morris (PA). They still look tentative on offense, but they’ve started to figure out a few things, juggled their lineup, and won five in a row at home while playing some teams very close on the road. A Chicago homecoming in the first conference game of the year will likely put an extra spring in their step, and the Ramblers can’t afford a letdown after their very good non-conference start. The next three conference games for Loyola after Bradley will be at UNI, at Evansville, and home against Wichita State, so banking a conference win before the toughest streak of the season is essential.

Loyola game notes: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/loy ... 223aaa.pdf

Bradley game notes: http://www.bradleybraves.com/pdf9/30697 ... EM_ID=3400

Television: Comcast SportsNet

Vegas line: Loyola by 7

Well. they are taller than we are, but who isn't ?? We shoot better, have a great defense, finally are shooting our freebies, and are playing nine to ten men.

So, we must not let down--keep boarding and running them ragged. I believe Milton and the boys will come out on top IF we do so.

Hopefully some students will drop by to see a fine team, thge RAMBLERS, win--say 69-60 !!!

Am I the only one who fears that if the Ramblers don't get this game Wednesday they start conference 0-4?

No. At that point it would be pretty likely. Need a win this week!

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MBB Scholarship Chart

No, but after watching Bradley play UIC this weekend, I think LU beats them. And 3-3 is certainly an achievable start in conference.

I'm sure this sounds crazy... but the Bradley game is nearly a must win game! If we have any hope of winning 9 or 10 games in conference, I think we have to win that first game. I think starting out 0-4 would be really difficult to come back from.

It won't be much of a home game. BU travels well and I expect more of their fans than ours. However, winning on the road tends to strengthen a team. It gets to a point where the conditions just don't matter anymore. I think we are going to sneak out some road wins but it has to happen while we are on a roll. Milt has to stay healthy and out of foul trouble.

You could say that about most of our games for this year.

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Cigarboy sucks!

Per Bradley message board, "Jermaine Morgan, who has started at center most of the season, out 2 weeks with ankle sprain."

C'mon Guys !! The only problem with this team is lack of height. AND we appear to be doing well in combating THAT. This team , entering Conf play is FAR different than the other "successful" pre conf teams we have had. I feel this time we will prove to skeptics that we are a team rising.
Only thing I see is we are getting there a year early.

Agreed--The Bradley game is a must win as are they all--only this one more so--if only to quiet nay-sayers. .

The REAL problem as I see it is the lack of student interest--This is totally mystifying to me. "Give 'em something good and they will come" does not seem to apply here. ( Even Kent St folks commented on what a "fun" team LUC was to watch--One guy with his lady along side commented that he NEVER saw a big time team so small being so good--reminded him of David/ Goliath !!)

I like this team's chances--I only wish more did.