CHICAGO (August 17, 2021) – Up to five games versus power conference opponents, including a trip to Paradise Island in the Bahamas, highlight the 2021-22 Loyola University Chicago men's basketball non-conference schedule, which was revealed today by first-year head coach Drew Valentine. The Ramblers will play six non-league contests in the friendly confines of Gentile Arena, where they own a 22-game winning streak.
 
A four-game homestand kicks off the Drew Valentine era of Loyola basketball, beginning with the November 9 season opener versus Coppin State. Following the battle with Coppin State, the Ramblers welcome Florida Gulf Coast (Nov. 13), Chicago State (Nov. 16) and crosstown rival UIC (Nov. 20) to Rogers Park before they venture off campus to compete in one of the most competitive tournaments, the Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas.
 
Loyola is pitted against perennial Big Ten Conference contender Michigan State on November 24 and will face either Auburn or Connecticut the following day before concluding action at the tournament on November 26. 
 
After playing its Missouri Valley Conference opener on December 1, Loyola steps back outside of league competition for five games, starting with a short trip to the south loop to face DePaul (Dec. 4). This will be the first meeting between the teams since December 29, 2012, when the Ramblers emerged with a 69-61 victory over the Blue Demons.
 
The Ramblers then return home for a matchup with Roosevelt (Dec. 7), then head to Nashville, Tenn., for their second meeting with Vanderbilt (Dec. 10) in the last three seasons. Loyola has captured five of its last six contests, including each of the last three, versus teams from the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
 
Norfolk State (Dec. 19) pays a visit to Gentile Arena following a week-long break for final exams and the Ramblers finish out the nonconference portion of the 2021-22 slate by traveling to Davidson (Dec. 22).
 
Loyola, which concluded the 2020-21 season ranked No. 12 in the final Ferris Mowers Coaches Top 25 Poll, posted a 26-5 overall record and reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament a year ago. The Ramblers return four of their five starters from last year's squad, including Second Team All-MVC and MVC Defensive Player of the Year Lucas Williamson, along with Third Team All-MVC forward Aher Uguak.
 
2021-22 Loyola University Chicago Non-Conference Schedule
Nov. 9 – Coppin State
Nov. 13 – Florida Gulf Coast
Nov. 16 – Chicago State
Nov. 20 – UIC
Nov. 24 – vs. Michigan State #
Nov. 25 – vs. Auburn or Connecticut #
Nov. 26 – vs. TBA #
Dec. 4 – at DePaul
Dec. 7 – Roosevelt
Dec. 10 – at Vanderbilt
Dec. 19 – Norfolk State
Dec. 22 – at Davidson
 
# denotes Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis (Paradise Island, Bahamas)