Saturday, January 19, 2019, 1:00 p.m.
Hulman Center, Terre Haute, Indiana
Before the Ramblers have had a chance to see Bradley, Missouri State, Northern Iowa, or Southern Illinois at all, Loyola is set to wrap up play for the season with Indiana State on Saturday. The Sycamores are 2-3 in conference with wins over Bradley and Evansville, and losses to Loyola, Missouri State, and Northern Iowa.
Loyola’s game against Indiana State just 2 ½ weeks ago was a blowout. With the score tied 8-8 after five minutes, the Ramblers went on a 38-4 run to close out the first half and ultimately won by 35. The Ramblers kept the MVC’s leading scorer Jordan Barnes without a point, the only time in his last 42 games that Barnes hasn’t scored in double figures. Tyreke Key put on a show for the Sycamores with 21 points to lead all scorers, but the rest of the Indiana State starting lineup scored only two points combined.
After losing at Loyola, the Sycamores rebounded with a home win over Bradley. They lost at home to Missouri State before heading out on the road for a win at Evansville and a loss at Northern Iowa. In both of the Sycamore wins, 6’5” Iowa transfer Christian Williams led the Trees in both points and rebounds. Williams doesn’t shoot for a high percentage from the field, but he’s active in attacking the basket and reaching the free throw line.
Rounding out the starting lineup are 6’9” senior center Emondre Rickman and 6’7” senior guard/forward Allante Holston. From the bench, 6’4” guard Cooper Neese, 6’6” sophomore guard Clayton Hughes, and 6’8” forward/center Bronson Kessinger will see heavy minutes. In ISU’s loss at Loyola, only Key (21 points) and Neese (10 points) scored in double digits; Rickman, Williams and Barnes were all held scoreless.
Indiana State is 5-2 this year at home (1-1 in conference), and Loyola is 2-2 in road games (1-1 in conference). Although Loyola should be confident in this rematch of a blowout from two weeks ago (and this time having top defender Lucas Williamson able to play), the Ramblers need to be mindful of home court advantage and keeping key players out of foul trouble.
Digging in on defense at key moments in the game has been a hallmark of Loyola’s big wins over the past several years. When Loyola gets into scoring droughts or trouble spots in games, it’s usually when they’re thinking too much about their offense. Most of the time, great defensive stands lead to easier points at the other end. It worked in the last game against Indiana State, and it’s a great way to keep the home crowd out of the game on the road.
This game will include a halftime celebration of the 40th anniversary of Indiana State’s 1979 Final Four trip which reached the Championship Final against Magic Johnson and Michigan State. Indiana State knocked out DePaul to reach the final.
Loyola game notes: https://loyolaramblers.com/documents/20 ... df?id=8295Indiana State game notes: https://gosycamores.com/documents/2019/ ... eNotes.pdfTV/Streaming video: ESPN U
http://www.espn.com/watch/_/id/3455924/ ... basketballLive stats: https://gosycamores.com/sidearmstats/mbball/mediaVegas odds: Loyola by 4