Game #21 - Sunday Jan 21 3pm ARC - Loyola on ESPN-U

[talksalot]

Nobody else feels the hot hand and I am ice cold in recent attempts so no way will I kick this thing off.


OK... I'll get back in the saddle.  We're at home.  We're 7-1 at the friendly confines.  It's going to be a relatively warm Sunday afternoon. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbF29c_FpV8


oh, we're playing a pretty good Loyola (15-4, 5-2) team... RPI 65.

Three of their 4 losses have been on the road (Boise State, Milwaukee and Missouri State)... lost at the Gentile to Indiana State

Some really good wins, like @Florida by 6, @ Illinois State by 7.

Valpo Versus Loyola
All-time series: Loyola leads 34-15
At Valpo: Loyola leads 17-6
At Loyola: Loyola leads 17-7
At unknown site: Valpo leads 2-0
Current streak: Valpo W1
Current streak at Valpo: Loyola W1
Current streak at Loyola: Valpo W4
Last 10 meetings: Valpo leads 7-3

12-13 season... they beat us in the ARC 63-54; then we beat them at the Gentile 85-76
11-12 season... we beat them 69-48 there, then we clinched the conference championship at the ARC with a 66-62 win.
10-11 season... we beat them 66-55 there, then they CLOBBERED us at home 68-48

They have Custer, Jackson, Ingram and Townes all averaging in double figures, and Krutwig at 9.5.

Date Opponent Score Attendance.
11/10/17 WRIGHT STATE W 84-80 2814
11/12/17 EUREKA W 96-69 1135
11/16/17 at UMKC W 66-56 1482
11/19/17 SAMFORD W 88-67 1289
11/21/17 MISSISSIPPI VALLEY W 63-50 1133
11/24/17 vs UNCW W 102-78 485
11/25/17 vs Kent State W 75-60 547
11/28/17 at Boise State L 53-87 3738
12/02/17 UIC W 85-61 3024
12/06/17 at Florida W 65-59 9012
12/09/17 NORFOLK STATE W 80-52 1904
12/16/17 at Milwaukee L 56-73 1705
* 12/22/17 at Missouri State L 59-64 4583
* 12/30/17 EVANSVILLE W 66-59 1914
* 01/03/18 INDIANA STATE L 57-61 1501
* 01/07/18 at UNI W 56-50 3765
* 01/10/18 at Illinois State W 68-61 4466
* 01/13/18 BRADLEY W 81-65 2814
* 01/17/18 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS W 79-65 2439

They are averaging 1,997 for the home games...

oh, they shoot free-throws, don't they.   72.2%  (74.6 in conference play)
oh, they shoot 3-pointers, don't they.   40.8%, 6 players shooting over 35%

Krutwig, Townes and Ingram have started all 7 of their MVC games,

They were at home last night to the Salukis
==========================
In Short
Donte Ingram scored a season-high 25 points and Cameron Krutwig added 18 points to power Loyola University Chicago (15-4, 5-2 MVC) to a 79-65 victory over Southern Illinois (11-9, 3-4 MVC) tonight at Gentile Arena. The win gives the Ramblers their longest winning streak in conference play – four games – since the 2006-07 season, when it was a member of the Horizon League.

Porter Moser's Thoughts
"Southern Illinois is one of the most physical teams we have played all year. They don't quit. I'm proud of our guys to grind it out in a tough, physical game."

How It Happened
Loyola came out of the starting blocks on fire and raced out to a 19-6 lead, forcing six Southern Illinois turnovers during that stretch. The Salukis answered right back, ripping off 12 unanswered points to close within a single tally (19-18) before a Ben Richardson three-pointer slowed the SIU momentum and opened a stretch of seven straight Loyola points.

Richardson's trey was the first basket in a 16-5, half-closing Loyola spurt that was punctuated by a Clayton Custer layup just before the halftime buzzer that sent the Ramblers into the locker room on top, 35-23.

The Ramblers, who overcame 11 turnovers of their own in the first half alone, shot 51.9 percent (14-for-27) from the field and limited the Salukis to 30 percent (9-for-30), including just 1 of 9 from three-point territory in the opening 20 minutes.

Kavion Pippen's dunk with 13:46 remaining in the game brought Southern Illinois within 10 points (47-37), but Ingram drained a pair of threes as part of an 11-4 run that pushed Loyola's lead to 58-41, matching its largest of the evening, and at least temporarily gave the Ramblers some breathing room.

Southern Illinois wouldn't go away quietly and make a late charge, cutting Loyola's lead down to 10 points (65-55) one last time on Armon Fletcher's layup with a little over three and a half minutes remaining. Once again, the Ramblers had an answer, this time, it was Krutwig scoring to spark an 8-2 surge that culminated with a three-pointer and then a free throw from Ingram, for a comfortable 73-57 advantage.

A Look At The Numbers
Ingram's 25 points are his most since dropping 25 on UNI on January 4, 2017, and he also pitched in seven rebounds, three steals, an assist and a block, while hitting 5-of-8 attempts from three-point land.
Krutwig fell one rebound shy of recording his second straight double-double, finishing with nine boards, while Custer pitched in 12 points.
Sean Lloyd scored 21 points to lead Southern Illinois.

[valpolaw]

Hope we come to play. Every game Valpo plays on national tv seems to be disappointing but hopefully being at home will help us get the W

[valpotx]

Fans better show up for this one...

Valpo 74
Loyola 67

[VU2014]

It sounds like Loyola has a bus load coming down to the game on Sunday. Maybe 2.
https://twitter.com/RamblersMBB/status/954130069219364866

[NativeCheesehead]

Someone on campus needs to get word out to our students we're being invaded.

[elephtheria47]

Student section already reacted to the tweet so they have to be aware.

I'm bringing 8 with me to the game. This is a game I was excited about when moving to the MVC. Used to play them in HL. Local team. Sunday afternoon game. Great weather. I'm excited to see what the turnout will be (however NFL playoffs are at the same time)...lets do it

[NativeCheesehead]

The ValparaiZone (VU CRU, ZOO Crew, whatever the heck they call themselves now) needs to get up for this one. Look right up to the Loyola students like.....

[VU2014]

I really hope the students show up big on Saturday Sunday because Loyola is going to have over 100 students there.

Dear Students,

Please don't embarrass this University on National TV. SHOW UP!

[vu72]

Student section already reacted to the tweet so they have to be aware.

I'm bringing 8 with me to the game. This is a game I was excited about when moving to the MVC. Used to play them in HL. Local team. Sunday afternoon game. Great weather. I'm excited to see what the turnout will be (however NFL playoffs are at the same time)...lets do it

So the Colts, Bears, Lions, Packers and Browns are not in the playoffs.  That should allow many students from the local states to be at the game.  The 40 or so from Minnesota I will permit to miss the game. 

[valpo84]

What has been interesting in the MVC has been the defensive intensity night in and night out.  Valpo the past 4 games is starting to meet that 40 minutes of intensity.  But, offensively we continue to encounter the years old 5 minute lull from about the 13 min TV timeout to the 8 min TV timeout and it's not limited to one half.  Where we weather those issues, are team seems to play best the last 8 mins of 1st half.  We dig holes and use up too much energy climbing back.  SWMoSt (MSU) was a good example of this.  Want to see better offense during those stretches.  Also, the MVC is a lot like a hitter in baseball (this is for valpotx), teams are adjusting to us game to game like a batter and pitcher adjust at bat to at bat and game to game.  The teams that adjust quicker are more successful.  Teams have shut down Tevonn the past two games by focusing on him and making the rest of our team score.  What adjustments will Matt make to thwart this?  Matt and staff have done a nice job (notwithstanding the record) of making adjustments now that the roster is settled, but where overwhelming talent could win in the Horizon the past few years, the game to game adjustments will be critical (especially playing teams the 2d and 3d times.  Paul might want to work on an article that starts to identify the major changes we've seen in the two conferences.  This has been a much bigger step up in competition league wide than I had anticipated.  Just a few that come quickly to mind.

Defensive and Rebounding Intensity
Forwards are bigger/stronger. Centers are shutting down are height advantage.
The POY candidates are excellent players and consistent NBA talent (even though last few Horizon POYs are in NBA/G-League or high Euro Leagues)
Horizon was a guard orientated league, MVC has balanced offensive teams. 
Our guards were quicker/stronger the past few years and a big advantage in Horizon; that has been neutralized and we are about equal to the guards in MVC
No easy nights at home and especially on the road -- there's no YSU/CSU road trip this year.  Bring your lunch pail every night!

[M]

Bringing my middle school team.

Valpo hasn't lost when I bring them to a game. Valpo wins 77-64!

[covufan]

We need to start a winning streak!  No place better than home!

Valpo   74
Loyola  67

[Valpo89]

I really hope the students show up big on Saturday because Loyola is going to have over 100 students there.

Dear Students,

Please don't embarrass this University on National TV. SHOW UP!

I hope the students show up on Sunday.

[valpo84]

If it is a big game, and if it were K-Ville, they'd show up on Saturday, staying in their tents and having pizza delivered by Coach Matt. V-Ville!!

[covufan]

If it is a big game, and if it were K-Ville, they'd show up on Saturday, staying in their tents and having pizza delivered by Coach Matt. V-Ville!!

Wouldn't that be 'L-Ville'?  How about Ick-Ville?

[FieldGoodie05]

I really hope the students show up big on Saturday because Loyola is going to have over 100 students there.

Dear Students,

Please don't embarrass this University on National TV. SHOW UP!

I hope the students show up on Sunday.

Hahaha, seconded!

[talksalot]

There was a small announcement in the NWI Times today that we are Celebrating last year's team at 2:45pm (15-minutes before the game).  I don't know who or how... but Don't Be Late !! 

[talksalot]

The Best SID around has better stats than I do...

Valpo Versus Loyola
All-time series: Loyola leads 34-15  (there are several iterations of 'Loyola' listed on the all-time charts)
At Valpo: Loyola leads 17-6
At Loyola: Loyola leads 17-7
At unknown site: Valpo leads 2-0
Current streak: Valpo W1
Current streak at Valpo: Loyola W1
Current streak at Loyola: Valpo W4
Last 10 meetings: Valpo leads 7-3

Among the Missouri Valley Conference Leaders
Individual Leaders (among top 5)
Tevonn Walker Steals 2nd 2.2
Max Joseph Steals 4th 1.5

Team Leaders (among top 3)
Steals 1st 8.1
Rebounding Offense 2nd 37.0
Rebounding Margin 2nd +3.5
Scoring Margin 3rd +4.8

From the TwitterLand...
Cheer on Valpo Men's Basketball against Loyola this Sunday, January 21 at 3 p.m. Help us #GoldOut the ARC!  If you're in need of some Valpo gear, be one of the first 1,000 fans and receive a free #ValpoInTheValley t-shirt.

[covufan]

There was a small announcement in the NWI Times today that we are Celebrating last year's team at 2:45pm (15-minutes before the game).  I don't know who or how... but Don't Be Late !! 

Hmmm, Phoenix Suns at Milwaukee on Monday after playing in Denver on Friday. 

[covufan]

There was a small announcement in the NWI Times today that we are Celebrating last year's team at 2:45pm (15-minutes before the game).  I don't know who or how... but Don't Be Late !! 

They need to get this out there on social media - didn't see anything on twitter yet.

[vusupporter]

There was a small announcement in the NWI Times today that we are Celebrating last year's team at 2:45pm (15-minutes before the game).  I don't know who or how... but Don't Be Late !!

Men's tennis.

[VUGrad1314]

Krutwig has really stepped up for Loyola these past few games. He'll be a handful for our bigs. Custer's back and this team is firing on all cylinders. It'll take terrific play for a full 40 minutes to win this one. I think we can pull this one out but the crowd needs to be a factor.

[EddieCabot]

There was a small announcement in the NWI Times today that we are Celebrating last year's team at 2:45pm (15-minutes before the game).  I don't know who or how... but Don't Be Late !!

Off topic, but is there anything in the works for later in the season to commemorate the 20th anniversary of "The Shot"?

[VU2014]

The Loyola student section throwing shade
https://twitter.com/ThePack_LUC/status/954375733622792193

And the Valpo student section throwing it back 
https://twitter.com/ThePack_LUC/status/954375733622792193

[Just Sayin]

I really hope the students show up big on Saturday Sunday because Loyola is going to have over 100 students there.

Dear Students,

Please don't embarrass this University on National TV. SHOW UP!

I miss the days when the students used to say "...and we're going to beat the hell out of you" which we ended up doing. Back when Bryce played, the students were very creative in getting into the heads of the opponents and their fans. Until it was stopped.