Sunday, January 1, 2017 1:00 p.m.
Gentile Arena, Chicago, Ill.

The Ramblers ring in 2017 at Gentile Arena against the Illinois State Redbirds for their first home game since December 10. Loyola was 1-2 in the three games they played on the road over the Christmas break, and all three had considerable drama. A last second three-pointer sent the game against UIC to a winning overtime session, and the Ramblers climbed back to within two points from a 16-point second half deficit against Toledo before losing 74-70. But the worst of it was losing the first conference contest to Drake on Thursday to start the season, and making Sunday’s home conference opener even more important—if not vital.

Illinois State was picked to finish second in the MVC preseason poll. When you watch an Illinois State game on television, it’s an even bet you’ll hear an announcer or color commentator remark how “ISU may very well have the most athletic talent in the MVC” several times. And yet, even with their most gifted crop of athletes relative to the rest of the league, the Redbirds seem to under-perform—especially late in games. ISU held a halftime lead in all four of their losses. Even in their wins against Tulsa, St. Joseph’s, and IUPUI, the Redbirds were outscored in the second half. And while ISU has outscored their opponents by 105 total on the season, they’re -6 in second halves of games.

Coach Dan Mueller starts three forwards and two guards. Six-foot senior guard Paris Lee out of Maywood’s Proviso East leads the team in minutes, assists, steals, and three pointers. He’s second on the team in scoring (14.2 ppg), and adds 3.5 rebounds per game. He’s quick, a great defender, and one of the best three point shooters in the league. At times he can be streaky, and he sometimes makes ill-advised decisions when the tempo doesn’t suit him. But he has cut down on his turnovers as the season has progressed. With him in the backcourt is 6’4” senior Tony Wills, who averages 6.0 points but plays very good defense. He’s not a great shooter from distance (only 28.9% on threes), but he’s good at driving to the basket. He’s the type of player who will come from nowhere to block a breakaway layup from behind.

ISU’s trio of starting forwards is what sets them apart in the talent department. Six-foot-eight senior Deontae Hawkins leads the team in scoring (14.3 ppg) and rebounds (6.8 per game). MiKyle McIntosh is a 6’7” junior forward who is very active near the basket and averages 13.0 points per game to go with 6.6 rebounds. McIntosh isn’t a great shooter-- averaging less than 40% from the field-- but he leads the team in getting to the line where he shoots 78.3%. Newcomer Phil Fayne is a 6’9” sophomore transfer from Western Nebraska College with an impressive wingspan. Fayne has started every game, leads the team in blocks (19 in 13 games) and is averaging 10.4 points and 5.8 rebounds.

The Redbirds mostly go nine deep, and their main bench guys are 6’6” junior guard D.J. Clayton (6.8 points, 4.3 rebounds), 7’0” sophomore center Daouda Ndiaye (2.5 points, 4.5 rebounds), 6’0” sophomore point guard Keyshawn Evans (3.4 ppg), and 6’3” freshman guard Madison Williams.

Loyola has a record of 1-5 against Illinois State since joining the MVC. Many of the losses in the series have been by razor-thin margins, like last year’s 54-52 setback at Gentile Arena. Hopefully, the Ramblers can finally get over the hump and win one to let the record reflect the competitiveness. And the pressure of the conference season is building. Starting conference play with a road loss against the predicted 10th place team really cuts off a lot of the pathways to a .500 or better conference record. A win over Illinois State would help recover a lot of confidence and momentum.

Loyola game notes: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/loy ... 231aaa.pdf

Illinois State game notes: http://goredbirds.com/news/2016/12/30/m ... icago.aspx

TV/Streaming video: ESPN 3 (http://www.espn.com/watchespn/index/_/i ... olachicago)

Radio: WLUW 88.7 FM (get the app for your phone at the Google play store—highly recommended)

Vegas odds: Redbirds by 1

Will be interesting to see the MVC play out this weekend. For example, will Drake continue its level of play or will the LU game prove to be an aberration in their game. It would be nice to see them handle SIU, just to lift our attitude about that game.
As to The Ramblers, having read the preview, again very nicely done, I am curious to see how we go forward. Certainly Doyle and Jackson cannot stay in the game if they foul early. It would seem a good idea to be vey protective of them so they are at full strength for the end of the game where you suggest ISU is more vulnerable. Also, is there any rational for letting Kirby get his minutes in so that we get a few rebounds that we may not otherwise get, and also let him pick up the fouls that Jackson may get for overreaching due to lack of height? Don't really know the answer to that but I do worry that we can be played for our lack of height. Also because of this lack of height, we should limit the quick possession that precludes a chance for the offensive rebound and likely leads to the fast break the other way?
Go Ramblers.....

Interesting comments from Moser and others in this preview article

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/colleg ... e789d.html

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MBB Scholarship Chart

Good points about the first half and second half. I did a quick scan, and I believe that in all of our wins this season, we have led at halftime. We have trailed at halftime in all of our losses.

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MBB Scholarship Chart

I am still amazed at our inability?, bad luck? or resistance? to have some quality big guys on this roster. It is an issue year after year. It is a mystery......my son.....WHich is exactly what Father Loftus said to me about my C in Existentialism/

Big men are obviously NOT PM's first choice==He goes first and foremost for guards and SMALL forwards--bye the time he gets around to BIGS, the good ones sre gone--My theory anyway !!

Everything about that first possession was fantastic. LET'S GO AND WIN THIS THING!!!!

And..... Doyle with another early foul.

And the beat goes on !! WE ARE JUST TOO SHORT !! A taller team could stop all those floaters by Redbirds !!

When we can't make a shot, it's as if the other team can't miss.

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Cigarboy sucks!