CHICAGO (December 24, 2020) - Loyola raises the curtain on its eighth season of Missouri Valley Conference play when it hosts Illinois State December 27 and 28. The Ramblers bring a 12-game win streak at Gentile Arena into this weekend's action and they have won 16 of their last 17 contests on their home floor. Loyola has won 11 straight MVC games at Gentile Arena.

Since joining The Valley for the 2013-14 season, Loyola is 3-4 in league openers and has won its last two conference lid-lifters. In program history, the Ramblers are 20-21 (.488) in conference openers, but have prevailed in only four of their last 13. 

Loyola head coach Porter Moser served as the head coach at Illinois State for four seasons, from 2003-07, compiling a 51-67 record there. Assistant coach Matt Gordon was a student manager for the Redbirds and graduated from Illinois State in 2006.

In three games at Gentile Arena this season, the Ramblers are averaging 85.3 points per game and shooting a robust 60 percent (96-for-160) from the field, while on the defensive end, holding opponents to 51.3 ppg on 35.8 percent (59-for-165 shooting from the field and an anemic 24.4 percent (11-for-45) from deep.

Over the last two outings, the Ramblers are producing 50.0 points and knocking down shots at a 60 percent (36-for-60) rate from the field and a 51.6 percent (16-for-31) clip from three-point territory, in the second half.

Loyola is posting 72.4 ppg and shooting 55.5 percent (218-for-393) from the field and 44 percent (51-for-116) from three, in its last eight Valley games at Gentile Arena.

Loyola – Illinois State – The Series

Loyola and Illinois State are meeting for the 26th time in a series that dates back to 1980. After dropping 14 of the first 19 meetings between the teams, the Ramblers have captured six of the last seven matchups, including each of the last two.

Since joining the Missouri Valley, Loyola is 7-8 against Illinois State. The Ramblers are 6-6 all time against the Redbirds when playing on their home floor in Chicago. Each of the last three meetings at Gentile Arena has gone in Loyola's favor, including an 84-69 decision on February 19 in the last encounter between the clubs. Tate Hall scored a career-high 28 points in that contest and the Ramblers knocked down a season-high 12 three-pointers and shot a blistering 58.5 (31-for-53) from the field, posting 24 assists on 31 baskets.

In its last two games versus ISU at Gentile Arena, Loyola is putting up 75.5 points and shooting 54.4 percent (56-for-103) from the field.

Scouting Illinois State

Illinois State is averaging a league-best 91.3 points per game this season, but also yields 82.3 ppg, eight points more than any other Valley squad. A 91-62 victory over Chicago State on December 15 snapped a two-game skid for the Redbirds and moved them back to .500. 

One season after going just 1-11 in true road games, ISU has stumbled in each of its three road games in 2020-21, falling at Ohio State, Murray State and Ball State.

Junior guard Josiah Strong leads a pack of four Redbirds who score in double figures, with 14.0 ppg, while also handing out 5.0 assists per outing.

Up Next

Loyola visits Bradley, January 3 and 4.