Wichita State Preview – 2/12/17

Sunday, February 12, 2017 3:00 p.m.
Gentile Arena, Chicago, Ill.

When the Ramblers played Wichita State one month ago, Loyola performed well in cutting a 19-point deficit to just four points with 4:36 left to play. But that was as close as they would get as the Shockers held Loyola scoreless over the last 1:46 while hitting six consecutive free throws in an 87-75 win. Remarkably, Loyola outrebounded the Shockers 29-26, and had a 6-4 advantage on the offensive glass. But a career-high 26 points from Markis McDuffie (more than 14 points over his average points per game) and 12 timely three-pointers carried the day for WSU.

The feeling by many was, back in those wistful days before three crushing conference road losses by a total of six points to teams the Ramblers really should have beaten, that Loyola quite probably would have won that game against WSU if it had been held at Gentile Arena. But today—in the midst of a three-game losing streak, under .500 in conference, fresh off a two-point loss to a last place team, and in real danger of dropping down to a Thursday squad — that game a month ago at WSU looks utterly meaningless, other than it being yet another loss where the team played well for a good chunk of the game.

The Shockers followed their scare from Loyola with their only loss of the conference season, 76-62 at Illinois State back on Jan. 14. Demonstrably chastened by that loss– and the unfamiliar and disturbing feeling of not being in first place for a huge chunk of the season—the Shockers have been single-minded and resolute in the seven games since, winning those contests by an average margin of 22.4 points. They beat the undefeated league-leader by 41 points, and they beat Southern Illinois by 32 points. Their closest call during their seven-game winning streak was an eight-point win at Drake.

The Ramblers have become sloppy handling the ball lately. During the current three-game losing streak, the Ramblers have been on the losing end of the turnover tally each time. In the past seven games, Loyola has averaged 14.9 turnovers per game after committing an average of 11.1 in their first 19 games. Loyola is 13-3 on the season when they win the turnover battle; they’re 3-7 when they commit more turnovers than the opposition.

Throughout the season, the Ramblers have used better ball handling and a positive turnover margin to compensate for below-average rebounding. When Loyola wins (or ties) both the rebounding and turnover margin they’re 4-0, and when they lose both they’re 0-3. If the Ramblers can win the rebounding battle against WSU, as they did on Jan. 14 in Wichita, and get back to their early season form in ball handling, that’s likely the only way to get their first win against Wichita since joining the conference.

LINKS

  • Loyola game notes (PDF)
  • Wichita State game notes: Pending
  • TV/Streaming video: ESPNU (Stream)
  • Radio/Streaming audio: WLUW 88.7 FM (You can also listen on mobile with the WLUW app, or online at wluw.org)
  • Vegas odds: Shockers by 9
  • Ramblermania game thread