Loyola Ramblers Preview – https://loyolaramblers.com/news/2026/2/ ... match.aspx

Davidson Stats and Intel - https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/sc ... /2026.html

Record: 13-9 (5-5, 6th in A-10 MBB)
Coach: Matt McKillop
PS/G: 72.3 (273rd of 365)
PA/G: 69.5 (74th of 365)
SRS: 5.74 (108th of 365)
SOS: 4.45 (89th of 365)
ORtg: 110.5 (169th of 365)
DRtg: 106.3 (193rd of 365)
Preseason Odds: Championship +100000


Loyola Chicago Ramblers 6-18 (2-9) at Davidson Wildcats 13-9 (5-5) – 5:00pm CST, Belk Arena, Davidson, North Carolina

The Ramblers finally won their first game of the 2026 calendar year on Tuesday night, defeating LaSalle by the score of 71-61. It didn’t look good early when the Explorers started the game on a 12-0 run forcing a Loyola timeout, but the Ramblers responded back. Four Ramblers scored in double-figures and were led by Joshua Ola-Joseph who had 16 on the night.

"La Salle came out with a lot of confidence and spirit tonight. You could head their bench," said head coach Drew Valentine. "I thought our guys did a really good job of responding tonight. Our defense really stepped up after the first media timeout, and we had players make some plays tonight. The guys who came off the bench tonight really made an impact."

Tonight the Ramblers travel to Davidson, North Carolina for a rematch with the Wildcats. On January 7th in Chicago, Davidson smoked the Ramblers from three-point land, and Parker Friedrichsen had the game of his life, netting 27 in the win.

Davidson is 13-9 overall and 5-5 in A-10 play after falling 91-82 to Saint Louis earlier this week. They’ve lost 3 of 4, with the only recent victory against Richmond. They are averaging 72.4 points on 45.6 percent shooting and allowing 69.6 points on 45.5 percent shooting

Davidson is still maintaining its high three-point percentage of (.369), which ranks third in the A10, and is fifth in three-pointers per game (9.0).
Roberts Blums is still Davidson's top scorer, averaging 11.5 points per game. Over the last 10 games he is averaging 13.4 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 48.0. Blums also leads the Wildcats in three-point percentage as he makes 41.9 percent of his attempts. He has 13 double-figure scoring games this season, including two 20-point games and 23 against Richmond in their last win. Josh Scovens is averaging 10.7 points and 1.6 assists. Parker Friedrichsen is dishing 1.5 assists and Sam Brown is averaging 8.9.

Entering this game, Davidson has lost 8 of their last 9 against league opponents at Belk Arena, including 6 home losses in a row. Despite the Ramblers being one of the worst offensive teams in the country and the defense having major issues defending the three point shot, Davidson still comes in as 9.5 home favorites.

Davidson Probable Starters – 6-3 G Sam Brown, 6-6 G Devin Brown, 6-3 G Parker Friedrichsen, 7-0 C Ian Platteeuw, 6-4 F Josh Scovens

Loyola Probable Starters - Rubin, Amos, Anderson, Moore, Dotson


LAST 10 GAMES FOR BOTH SQUADS

Wildcats: 5-5, averaging 70.3 points, 28.4 rebounds, 12.5 assists, 6.8 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 70.1 points per game.

Ramblers: 1-9, averaging 66.2 points, 33.4 rebounds, 15.0 assists, 4.0 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 41.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.0 points.


Watch / Listen – Friday night’s game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network with Chris Lewis and John Henson on the call, and can be listened to Rambler Sports Network with our friends Sudikoff and CT.

Postgame Show - Tune in to Sudikoff on RSN, followed by TalkinBlers Spaces on the X: https://x.com/blerstalking?s=21


Odds: Davidson -9.5

Another brutal Rambler 1st half.
Not defending the three.

Rubin 4 straight misses at the free throw line.
Time for him to try and imitate Rick Barry?
Does he have anything to lose?

Ouch!
Another blow out with the Ramblers being on the wrong end
57% from the line
15 TOs
We will need some better playing when SLU comes to town on the 13th.

This team is pathetic in every aspect of the game.

Well Davidson was an great example of what we are not, fundamentally sound. I think maybe what we have lost in recent years is that great athletes sometimes dont make great basketball players. We also seem to run an offense that does not work. We set screen after screen till someone gets a lane to the basket yet we do not have guards that can finish at the basket or hit a mid range jumper...really no reason to double team any of our guys which means we seldom have a clear passing land to a guy in a ready to shoot position....Anderson may develop into that guy and Love may be that guy...but it is a highly ineffective offense....does anyone know where we stand in offensive efficiency this year?
Moore does not look like he is invested in the game at all...some horrible passes...
We also took just some horrible shots as well.....I know this may sound like an understatement but things seem to be really falling apart...I am guessing the team just does not see any light at the end of the tunnel and are ready to clean out lockers..Drew showed little or no intensity on the bench. Only bright spot recently is Glazkov has shown some good defensive effort as well as rebounding.
Been a hard year

Kenpom #290
CBB Reference #330

Out of 361 teams

What I view is this, a lack of culture & poor defense, I mean it's a lot of work to play great defense. Anyway, beside the point. This NIL & what is occurring will result in Loyola being irrelevant soon in the A10 for a while. Loyola should invest twenty-five million or zero into the NIL. Playing the middle of the road will get this program absolutely nowhere. Please, save up donations/funds for multiple seasons in order to buy a top team or the best possible players.