Friday, December 19, 2014 7:00 p.m.
Gentile Arena, Chicago

Southern Utah has been a Division I team for more than 25 years, but the past two seasons have left them with a reputation as one of the worst teams in college basketball. Since a one-point home win against Cal State Northridge in February 2013, the Thunderbirds have won only two out of their last 39 games against D-1 competition. Now a member of the Big Sky Conference, the Thunderbirds have a last-second win against UT-San Antonio to their credit this year, but the rest of their schedule has been competitive losses to much better squads.

A.J. Hess, a junior guard holdover from last season, is the only player averaging in double figures. Hess scores an average of 13.6 per game on 47% shooting from the field. Two newcomers, 6’9” freshman forward Tyler Rawson and 6’2” guard James McGee, make up the second and third leading scorers. Juco transfer Casey Oliverson, a 6’8” junior forward , and 6’1” sophomore guard John Marshall wrap up the core of SU’s team.

Rawson is a competent shot blocker, and together with 6’7” juco transfer Christian Thompson off the bench average a combined 2.5 blocks per game. In fact, the SU frontcourt has a 3/1 advantage in blocks over their opposition.

Where Southern Utah has a weak point is turnovers and guarding the 3-point line. The Thunderbirds’ opponents shoot an astounding 41.7% behind the arc—just a notch below what would be expected in a wide open shot in practice. Perhaps the high 3-pt. percentage is partially a function of the high blocking numbers by SU.

Either way, the Thunderbirds have won just one non-con game and one road game in the past two years against D1 competition. The Ramblers will have to play solid defense and hit their outside shots against this competitive team that’s come up just short in most games this year. Southern Utah hasn’t played a deliberate team that works hard for high-percentage shots like Loyola, so Loyola’s smaller stature could be less important than expected. Loyola working harder on every single possession will probably make the difference.

Loyola game notes: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/loy ... 218aaa.pdf

Southern Utah game notes: http://www.suutbirds.com/pdf9/3051510.pdf

Television: None

Streaming video: Ramblervision (http://www.loyolaramblers.com/collegesp ... dia=478329)

Vegas line: Loyola by 15

The line is down to 13.5 now. I thought 15 was high, since Doyle is questionable and we're a team that plays at a slower tempo. Southern Utah has beaten the spread in every one of their games except the 26 points against Kansas State in their opener.

Is White ready for the starting lineup yet? Do we start Peterson? I'd rather have Doyle not risk agravating the ankle, because we've got travel to Vegas and two games on consecutive nights Monday and Tuesday against teams we can beat if we're playing our best.

I think we should try and rest Milt as much as possible tonight because if he misses some serious time we are in trouble.

John --If I read you correctly. you say we play a slower tempo game than SU---Hmmmmmmm !! They must be pretty darn fast then as we are rnnin' and gunnin' I believe !! I am looking at a new culture here of LUC Hoops---Actually a throwback to the Ireland days and his style.

I've stopped in the town SUU is in a few times. It's gotta be tough to recruit there. It's a long way to get there from anywhere.

According to kenpom.com, SUU plays at the 14th fastest tempo in college basketball. Loyola plays 298th. So it might be a battle of contrasting styles. It doesn't necessarily mean they're fast, it just means they like to shoot earlier in the shot clock and try to get shot off before the defense is set.

First missed regular season start for Doyle in his Loyola career.

Can't let these guys hang with us. Need to stretch out the lead and maintain energy.

I'm loving the rebounding edge. I doubt we see this type of dominance over the rest of the season but it's still nice to see

We've done a good job of handling their zone, but the press and traps are causing us problems without Doyle on the court.