Saint Louis Preview and Game Thread -- 01/03/2024

[sudikoff]

5. The announcers were brutal! Dame was scoring on isolation and they kept calling him Mwamba.

I thought we were great!

The two ESPN+ announcers from SLU had no clue. They said Clayton Custer was a Loyola assistant. For 10 minutes the male announcer mistaked Dame Adelekun for Patrick Mwamba. Glib crap, cliche factory. They said "Big Man Rebound" about six times. No prep. It's 2024, and you have to prep for broadcasts.... there's so much info available at a click.

Mr. Sudikoff has a point. If you're dissatisfied with the opposing team's weak announcers, all you have to do is remember: No one preps like Sudikoff.

We were hearing all about it.

[sudikoff]

Sometimes it’s too much prep lol

https://x.com/sudikoff/status/174259512 ... L-KN_xUTPQ

[natetheskate]

small point. but Norris sat for almost 8 minutes with his 3rd foul.(from around 14 minutes to around 6ish in the 2nd half)...and Jalen Quinn did the job. Not for sure but I think Jalen played the last 14 minutes...Tuscola Tough !.....Also Dolan who did not score still played a solid game..sometimes you can contribute without scoring. Alston also did not force it tonight.

[440Rambler]

I thought JQ had his best game of the year and am encouraged by his development. I wasnt impressed with Greg and really didnt care for the decision to check him into the game during that big SLU run near the end.

[JC64]

I was encouraged by the team's overall performanc tonight and it feels great to be in first place. But that positive note should be tempered by the fact that our only conference win is against the last place team.

[goramblers2011]

I was encouraged by the team's overall performanc tonight and it feels great to be in first place. But that positive note should be tempered by the fact that our only conference win is against the last place team.

The SLU board is justifying the loss by saying that it's against the undefeated 1st place A10 team!

[sudikoff]

Postgame interviews with Drew and Des:
https://on.soundcloud.com/wXUv1

[RamblerRagas]

I don't subscribe to espn+ but tuned into Sudikoff and CT while forcing myself to watch Bonnies and VCU on mute at the same time instead. Excellent top shelf and engaging broadcast as always. Good job afterwards on Dave's program (Talking Blers Spaces)

I've been hard on Drew and some staff also at times. This recent recommittment to team defense has simmered me down. We should still be pissed off about UIC, Tulsa and SFL losses however. A should have been 12-2 record is far superior than 9-5.

Good news, win the next two at home and we'll surpass last year's win total. That right there is a tremendous story and rapid improvement.

Looking at recent performances and really odd, bad losses from a variety of A10 squads these last few weeks, it could be up for grabs once again. Duquesne and Joes no longer look like threats. Umass might do some things.......

Pack the gym Saturday. TV time will be on CBS Sports. Seeya 3pm!

[jmiller2794]

I felt like a real boomer listening to the radio broadcast while watching on TV. Miles Rubin blocking that shot at the end and then tipping in back in play to Loyola was so impressive. I can't remember ever having a shot blocking presence like this in my decade of being a fan. I hope we get four years of him.

[goramblers2011]

Big props to the staff on hitting on some of these transfers. It's really hard to do. Last year, we swung and missed on a few (Golden & Jeameril, namely). But Alston was such a huge get. And then this year, it looks like Dame & Des are big hits (while Dolan has some moments). Des, especially, given that we plucked him from a conference rival and really unleashed his offensive side. Bet Davidson would love to have his 42.4% 3P% and 12.3 PPG (in addition to really strong defense).

And as others have mentioned, Rubin is a talent unlike any I've seen on Loyola before. His shotblocking ability is second to none. He's a freshman and already one of the premier shotblockers in the nation.