[February 15, 2017] Indiana State (10-16) at Loyola (16-11)

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Jason Svoboda

Jason Svoboda

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Indiana State Sycamores (10-16) vs. Loyola Ramblers (16-11)

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Gentile Center - Chicago, IL
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
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8:00 PM EST Tip​
 

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This is a must win game. Would love our guys to go to Chicago and pay Loyola back for their beat down they gave us at home this year. Also for the beat down they gave us in the MVC tournament 2 years ago.

If we win both games this week there is a chance we will be sitting above 7th place in the MVC standings.
 
Loyola killed us at home earlier this year, but that was largely due to the fact they shot the ball out of their minds. They were 62.% from three (10-16) and shot 52.2% overall. They were also an absurd 23-24 from the FT line. Loyola is one of most efficient offensive teams in the Valley so it's not unlike them to shoot the ball well, but there's still no way they shoot the ball that well against again.

Loyola is a little better than we are on the glass; although, they do on average get out-rebounded in games. So, rebounding will be a slight advantage for the Ramblers but it shouldn't be a difference-making advantage. They outrebounded us 30-22 in our first game, but only pulled down one more offensive rebound.

Aside from Loyola's hot shooting, the two areas where we hurt ourselves were free throw attempts and turnovers. Our lack of ability to get to the line is well-documented. The fact is, though, Loyola isn't that strong at getting to the line either. They actually average less free throw attempts per game than we do (17.67 per game for Loyola compared to 19.23 per game for us). Loyola is pretty good about protecting the basketball, but so are wee. Neither team, based on season-long stats, have a distinct advantage over the other in the TO department. A slight edge goes to Loyola, but it's not by much.

In summary, I expect a much closer game than before. We're pretty evenly matched with Loyola and I expect us to compete and defend much better than we did at home. MVS scored zero points in our first matchup, which I think it's well documented that we go as MVS goes. If he's hitting shots and Rickman is protecting the paint like he's been doing over the last few games, I think we have what it takes to pull out a solid road victory.

Prediction: 74-72 Sycamores.
 
BrokerZ said:
Loyola killed us at home earlier this year, but that was largely due to the fact they shot the ball out of their minds. They were 62.% from three (10-16) and shot 52.2% overall. They were also an absurd 23-24 from the FT line. Loyola is one of most efficient offensive teams in the Valley so it's not unlike them to shoot the ball well, but there's still no way they shoot the ball that well against again.

Loyola is a little better than we are on the glass; although, they do on average get out-rebounded in games. So, rebounding will be a slight advantage for the Ramblers but it shouldn't be a difference-making advantage. They outrebounded us 30-22 in our first game, but only pulled down one more offensive rebound.

Aside from Loyola's hot shooting, the two areas where we hurt ourselves were free throw attempts and turnovers. Our lack of ability to get to the line is well-documented. The fact is, though, Loyola isn't that strong at getting to the line either. They actually average less free throw attempts per game than we do (17.67 per game for Loyola compared to 19.23 per game for us). Loyola is pretty good about protecting the basketball, but so are wee. Neither team, based on season-long stats, have a distinct advantage over the other in the TO department. A slight edge goes to Loyola, but it's not by much.

In summary, I expect a much closer game than before. We're pretty evenly matched with Loyola and I expect us to compete and defend much better than we did at home. MVS scored zero points in our first matchup, which I think it's well documented that we go as MVS goes. If he's hitting shots and Rickman is protecting the paint like he's been doing over the last few games, I think we have what it takes to pull out a solid road victory.

Prediction: 74-72 Sycamores.
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Great analysis and I concur.
 

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I'm starting to wonder if fatigue is beginning to play a role in Loyola's season. If I recall, this has been an issue for Loyola in the past as Moser seems to take the opposite approach to Lansing and probably plays guys too many minutes and doesn't substitute enough. Loyola pretty much relies on 5 1/2 players, and those primary 5 players are averaging 30.4 minutes per game. During their 4 game losing streak their bench (not including Aundre Jackson who plays much more than the starter Kirby) has scored a TOTAL of 6 points.

They're getting nothing from their bench and they haven't even really tried; in fact, they seem to be relying even more on their starters. All of these minutes could be catching up to Loyola as we enter the final stretch of the regular season.
 
Looking forward to this game, I'll be there with a couple other peeps. Look for me on ESPN3....I'll be the guy in ISU gear, sitting...somewhere in the stands.
 
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TreeTop said:
Looking forward to this game, I'll be there with a couple other peeps. Look for me on ESPN3....I'll be the guy in ISU gear, sitting...somewhere in the stands.
Click to expand...
Yell what's up SycamorePride so we can spot you... and because we could use the advertising.
 

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