CHICAGO (February 11, 2021) - Ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll for the first time since 1985, No. 22 Loyola, which owns the nation's fifth-longest active winning streak (10 games) visits Knapp Center for a pivotal two-game series with Drake, February 13 and 14. The Ramblers have captured eight of their last nine road games in Missouri Valley Conference play and their current six-game road winning streak is tied for the third-longest active streak in the country. Loyola's last five road wins have come by an average margin of 20.4 points.

At 12-1 in MVC action, Loyola is off to its best start in conference play, regardless of league affiliation, since going 13-1 in Midwestern Collegiate Conference competition in 1984-85. The Ramblers' 17-3 start is their best through 20 contests since 1965-66 (18-2). Cameron Krutwig and Lucas Williamson need one more victory to tie Bruno Skokna (91 wins) as the winningest players in Loyola men's basketball history. 

Loyola – Drake – The Series

Loyola and Drake are matching up for the 34th time in a series that started in 1934. The Ramblers possess a 20-13 edge in the all-time series and have won six of the last seven meetings between the teams.

When playing in Des Moines, the Ramblers are 7-9 versus the Bulldogs and have claimed two of the last three contests at the Knapp Center. Loyola is 10-4 against Drake since it joined the Missouri Valley Conference for the 2013-14 season.

Last season, the clubs split the regular-season series with the home team claiming each contest. Tate Hall scored a team-high 15 points, but Loyola was edged, 65-62, when the Ramblers and Bulldogs last met in Des Moines, on January 7, 2020. Loyola picked up a 64-60 win in Chicago when the teams faced off on February 25, 2020.

Scouting Drake

Drake rebounded from its first loss of the season by rolling to an 80-59 decision over in-state rival Northern Iowa Wednesday night. With the win, the Bulldogs stayed perfect at the Knapp Center, where they are 11-0 this season and have won by an average margin of 27.4 points.

This weekend's series pits the Valley's top scoring offense - Drake (81.3) - versus the nation's No. 1 scoring defense - Loyola (56.2).

Senior forward ShanQuan Hemphill, a transfer from Green Bay, is having a sensational season, averaging 14.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg, but his status is in question after suffering an injury Wednesday. Guard Roman Penn adds 12.4 ppg, and 5.6 apg.

Up Next

Loyola has a quick turnaround as it returns to Chicago to open a three-game homestand to close out the regular season. The Ramblers host Valparaiso Wednesday night (Feb. 17) at 7 p.m.