Saturday, March 5, 2022 2:30 p.m.
Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri


Fourth-seeded Loyola survived their first round Arch Madness game on Friday by beating Bradley, 66-50. The Ramblers must now face top-seeded Northern Iowa again, almost exactly one week after UNI won an overtime showdown in Cedar Rapids 102-96 to take the MVC regular season crown.

In that UNI overtime win against Loyola, the Panthers made 42 trips to the foul line, thanks to 32 fouls called against the Ramblers-- the highest number ever (by more than 14%) in the nine seasons Loyola has been a member of the MVC, and the highest number of fouls called against Loyola in any game in nearly 14 years. Loyola seemed to regain their poise against Bradley on Friday, making only 11 turnovers and committing 17 fouls in their 66-50 win.

Against the top opposing teams in the MVC (Northern Iowa-Missouri State-Drake), Loyola has been called for an average of 21.6 fouls. In their games against all the other teams they've played this year, inside the conference and out, the average of fouls called against Loyola has been 15.9. That's quite a disparity. It might be higher because of strategy or competitiveness, but it's clearly a disparity the coaching staff should be attuned to watch.

Loyola beat UNI at Gentile Arena in their first meeting this year, 85-58, on Feb. 13. The Ramblers have won 12 of the last 15 matchups with UNI, but lead the all-time series by a narrow 14-12 margin. UNI dispatched Illinois State from the tournament with ease on Friday, 78-65, to get back to another matchup with Loyola.

Thanks to UNI's win over Loyola last Saturday to capture the MVC regular season crown and the #1 seed at Arch Madness, AJ Green was named the Larry Bird Player of the Year for the second time in the past three seasons. Green leads the team in ppg (18.6), assists (57), made free throws (112), free throw percentage (91.1%), and made threes (78). The most interesting wrinkle for UNI this year is the addition of Noah Carter to the starting five, and going with four guards. Carter averages 14.4 ppg, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists.

Six-foot-four senior guard Tywhon Pickford, 6'5" guard Trae Berhow, and 6'4" freshman Nate Heise round out the starting lineup. Pickford starts and contributes 4.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, but 5'11" freshman Bowen Born gets more minutes and makes more of an offensive contribution. Born averages 7.1 points and 1.9 assists, and is fantastic from the free throw line (90.9%). Berhow averages 10.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and shoots threes at a 37.7% clip. Nate Heise is the most fascinating of the guards as he is second on the team in rebounding (4.9 per game) and adds 9.1 points, a good outside stroke (36.5% on threes), and shot-blocking ability (tied for second on the team with 10). At 6'4", Heise's small forward/power forward skill set creates a lot of mismatches.

Super senior Austin Phyfe's playing time has been reduced to about 13 minutes per game as a result of lingering Covid symptoms, but he continues to contribute (5.6 points, 2.2 rebounds per game). Six-foot sophomore guard Antwan Kimmons (who's given Loyola fits in the past), 6'9" redshirt freshman forward Cole Henry, and 6'6" freshman forward Tytan Anderson also get considerable playing time.

After Loyola's win over Bradley, the Ramblers moved up from #30 to #26 in the KenPom rankings, and it's assumed Loyola would get a small boost in their NET number as well. Most observers and bracketologists believe that if the Ramblers can get to the Arch Madness final, like Drake did last season (with a KenPom in the 50s and a worse NET ranking than Loyola has), the Ramblers are very likely to get an at large bid. But it's not so sure with a loss in the semifinals-- the Ramblers would have to hold their breath and hope for many fewer than average surprise bids. Getting to the final is the best way to have some confidence in getting an at large bid-- winning it is the only way to be certain.


Loyola game notes: https://loyolaramblers.com/documents/20 ... 3_5_22.pdf

UNI game notes: https://unipanthers.com/news/2022/3/4/m ... birds.aspx

TV/Streaming video: CBS Sports Net https://www.cbssports.com/cbs-sports-network/

Radio/Streaming audio: https://loyolaramblers.com/watch/?Live=117&type=Live

Live stats: http://www.statbroadcast.com/events/cen ... mvc#tourny

Vegas odds: Loyola by 4

This mvc final four was inevitable and uni is the best draw for Loyola in this group. Loyola was a 2 point favorite at uni in a winner take all game on their senior night. They are now a 4 point favorite against what is supposed to be the top team in the tournament.

Uni plays no defense and Loyola has shown it can keep up with them if it becomes a track meet. I doubt the refs are as influenced on a neutral court as they were last week, so I don’t think this will be a track meet.

Ramblers will take this game in comfortable fashion

This is a must win. Based on everything we MAY be able to sneak in as an at-large if we lose to Missouri State in the finals. It'd be tough and nerve wracking, but its be possible. We're in a better position than Drake was last year for example.

But we need this win. Our NET didn't change after smacking Bradley around. We need another "signature" win. Beating UNI may just be enough.

Lose this game though, and it's really hard to see the committee letting a 4th seed Valley team that didn't make the finals into the tournament. Regardless of how good our nonconference schedule is.

I am counting on AJ Green not being as effective as usual . he works hard to get his shots...they are jump shots where he really evevates...I am hopoing his legs feel like concrete pillars today....but still anxious. They are a well coached team.. Their whole team stayed around to watch our game...

Defense looking good. Kennedy is really making Green work with Lucas on the bench! Offense needs to calm down. Looking a little hectic and like we're rushing.

Lucas with the early foul and straight to the bench. Love the decision and lead is still the same as when he left. We need Lucas down the stretch so if he sits a lot first half I’m fine with it as long as we keep it close

Where was this team all year

Excellent start fellas. Intensity on defense, winning 50/50 battles. Keep the foot in the gas peddle. Also, very physical game so far, this will be a rock fight.

This is definitely loyolas pace. Uni has had nothing easy. Everyone is playing excellent d

I think uguak has defended all five positions today

They obviously prioritized stopping carter

Doing a great job on D, and making them work. Just need to do better with rebounds. They've already got 6 offensive rebounds.