Loyola Chicago vs. San Francisco: MKE Tip-Off Preview
Undefeated Ramblers Look to Extend Streak Against San Francisco
CHICAGO – The Loyola Chicago Ramblers, riding a wave of momentum with a perfect 9-0 record, will face a tough test against the San Francisco Dons on Sunday evening. The matchup, part of the MKE Tip-Off, will take place at the Milwaukee Bucks’ Fiserv Forum at 5:30 p.m. CT.Loyola is one of only seven undefeated teams remaining in the nation, a feat that earned them a single vote in this week’s AP Top-25 Poll.”We’re excited about the challenge ahead,” said head coach drew Valentine. “San Francisco is a talented team, and playing in a venue like Fiserv Forum will be a great experiance for our guys.”
The Ramblers’ success can be attributed to their unselfish play and balanced scoring. They lead the Atlantic 10 Conference in assists per game (20.0), ranking fifth nationally.
“We’re really focused on sharing the ball and finding the open man,” said senior guard Justin Moore, who ranks 17th in the country with 6.0 assists per game. “When we move the ball like that, we’re tough to beat.”
Loyola’s last outing saw a thrilling 74-72 victory over South Florida, with Des Watson and Jalen Quinn delivering clutch plays in the final minute. Watson’s corner three-pointer with 31 seconds left gave Loyola the lead, while Quinn’s free throws with five seconds remaining sealed the win.
“Des and Jalen stepped up big time when we needed them most,” Valentine said. “That’s the kind of resilience and composure we’ve seen from this team all season.”
Sunday’s game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Jordan Bernfield (play-by-play) and Stephond Robinson (analyst) on the call. Fans can also listen to the Rambler Sports Network with Scott sudikoff (play-by-play) and Christian Thomas (analyst).
Key Matchup:
Loyola’s high-powered offense will be tested by San Francisco’s stingy defense. The Dons are allowing just 64.8 points per game, ranking them among the top defensive teams in the west Coast Conference.
What to Watch For:
Can Loyola continue its hot shooting from beyond the arc? The Ramblers are shooting 38.5% from three-point range this season.
Will San Francisco be able to slow down Loyola’s dynamic backcourt duo of Moore and Watson?
* Can Loyola maintain its composure in a high-pressure environment?
The Ramblers are looking to make a statement against a quality opponent on a neutral court. A win would further solidify their status as a national contender.
Loyola’s Rubin a Defensive Force as Ramblers face Undefeated Dons
Chicago, IL - The Loyola ramblers (7-3) are set to face a tough test on Sunday as they take on the undefeated San Francisco Dons (8-2) at War Memorial Gymnasium.
Loyola enters the matchup boasting one of the NCAA’s top shot blockers in Miles Rubin. The junior forward has swatted away 16 shots this season, ranking him 62nd nationally, and his average of 2.0 blocks per game places him 27th in the country. Rubin’s presence in the paint has been a major factor in Loyola’s defensive success, as he’s blocking a remarkable 10.96 percent of opponent shot attempts, good for 18th in the nation according to KenPom.
The Ramblers are also a force on the offensive end, ranking second in the Atlantic 10 conference with an impressive 82.4 points per game. Their average margin of victory of 18.8 points per game trails only VCU in the conference.
However, Loyola will be without the services of Jayden Dawson for the next four to six weeks due to an ankle injury. The absence of Dawson, a key contributor, will test the Ramblers’ depth.
Head coach Drew Valentine, in his fourth season at the helm, will look to his experienced squad to overcome this challenge. Valentine has compiled a solid 66-39 record during his tenure at Loyola.
Scouting the Dons
San Francisco enters Sunday’s matchup on a four-game winning streak, including victories over St. Louis and Stanislaus State.The Dons are undefeated at home but have yet to play a true road game this season. Their lone neutral-site wins came against Fordham, while they suffered losses to Memphis and Clemson.
San Francisco’s defense has been a strength, leading the West Coast Conference in turnovers forced per game with an average of 15.2.
Offensively, the Dons are led by Malik Thomas, who averages 17.0 points per game while shooting 47.8 percent from the field and 30.2 percent from three-point range. Thomas is currently on a three-game streak of scoring in double figures,highlighted by a season-high 29 points against Mercyhurst earlier this month.
Chris Gerlufsen is in his third year as head coach of the Dons, boasting a 51-27 record with the program and a 59-32 overall mark.
Series History
Loyola holds a slight edge in the all-time series against San Francisco, leading 4-3. The Ramblers won the last meeting between the two teams in January 2022, securing a 79-74 victory.
Can the Ramblers keep Rolling? Loyola Faces Tough Test Against San Francisco
(Chicago, IL) The undefeated Loyola Chicago Ramblers are generating buzz, and rightfully so.With a pristine 9-0 record, they stand as one of just seven undefeated teams left in college basketball.This weekend,they face their toughest challenge yet in the San Francisco Dons,a showdown set for Sunday evening at 5:30 PM CT at Milwaukee’s Fiserv forum as part of the MKE Tip-Off.
to get a deeper look into Loyola’s extraordinary start and the challenges ahead,
NewsDirectory3.com spoke with [Name of Specialist], a prominent basketball analyst and former coach, about the ramblers’ chances against the Dons.
ND3: Coach [Specialist’s Last Name], the Ramblers are turning heads with their perfect record. What’s been driving their success?
[Specialist]:
“This Loyola team is playing beautiful basketball. You can see their commitment to the system Drew Valentine has put in place. Their ball movement is exceptional – leading the Atlantic 10 in assists per game speaks for itself. They’re not reliant on just one or two players; it’s a truly balanced attack.”
ND3: We heard Head Coach Valentine express excitement about this matchup.
What makes San Francisco such a formidable opponent for Loyola?
[Specialist]:
“The Dons are a very well-coached team with some talented players.[Mention 1-2 specific San Francisco players and their strengths]. They’ll be hungry to knock off an undefeated team like Loyola.
this game will be a true test of Loyola’s mettle. It will be a great opportunity for them to show they belong in the national conversation.”
ND3: Loyola earned a single vote in this week’s AP top-25 Poll.Is that a sign they are finally starting to get the recognition they deserve?
[Specialist]:
“Absolutely. This team has all the ingredients for a deep run in the tournament. But they need to keep proving themselves against strong competition.
A win against San Francisco would be a major statement.”
ND3:
What do you see as the key to the game for Loyola?
[Specialist]:
“Loyola needs to maintain their unselfish play and keep sharing the ball. If they can continue to move the ball effectively and find the open man, they’ll be tough to beat. San Francisco will try to disrupt their rhythm, so Loyola needs to stay patient and stick to their game plan. The crowd in Fiserv Forum will be electrified, and Loyola needs to use that energy to their advantage.”
ND3: Thank you for your insights, Coach [Specialist’s Last Name]. We’ll all be watching to see if the Ramblers can keep their unreal season going.