CHICAGO (January 3, 2022) - After having four consecutive games canceled or postponed due to COVID health and safety protocols, Loyola, which has prevailed in 19 of its last 21 Missouri Valley Conference contests, will play its first game in nearly a month when it visits Illinois State Wednesday night. The Ramblers have won nine of their last 10 true road games, with the lone loss being a 51-50 decision, in overtime, at Drake on February 14, 2021.

Loyola has won its last 19 games versus teams from the state of Illinois since suffering a 68-63 loss at Southern Illinois on January 29, 2020. Taking it even further, the Ramblers have won 22 of their last 23 outings versus foes from the Land of Lincoln.

Since the start of the 2016-17 season, Loyola has picked up 10 wins versus teams from power 5 conferences, and this year has posted multiple wins versus power 5 foes in regular-season action for the first time since 1991-92.

The Ramblers have put up some gaudy numbers in their last three meetings with Illinois State, torching the Redbirds for 86.7 points per game, while sinking 58.4 percent (97-for-166) of their field goal attempts and 47.1 percent (32-for-68) of their three-point shots.

Loyola – Illinois State – The Series

Wednesday's game will be the 28th meeting between Loyola and Illinois State in a series that dates back to 1980. Although the Ramblers trail the all-time series, 15-12, they have won eight of the last nine matchups, including each of the last four.

The Ramblers are 3-9 against Illinois State at Redbird Arena and have won two of the last three meetings in Normal.

Last season, Loyola swept the season series, with both contests played in Chicago, winning each game by at least 30 points. When the teams last paired up, on December 28, 2020 at Gentile Arena, Cameron Krutwig went for 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the Ramblers' 86-55 victory.

Scouting Illinois State

After winning four straight contests, Illinois State has dropped its last two outings, both in overtime, and is coming off an 81-76 setback at Valparaiso on January 2. 

Illinois State is 7-2 at Redbird Arena this season and has won three straight on its home floor. At home in MVC play, the Redbirds are just 2-8 in their last 10 contests.

Wednesday's game will be a battle of two of the top scoring teams in The Valley, with Illinois State putting up 80.4 points per game, while Loyola is accounting for 78.9 ppg in 2021-22.

Junior guard Antonio Reeves, a Chicago native, paces the Redbirds and the conference with 21.1 ppg and adds 4.3 rpg, while connecting on 43.9 percent (47-for-107) of his three-point attempts. He has scored 20 or more points in three straight outings.

Sy Chatman, a transfer from UMass who is in his second season at ISU, contributes 15.4 ppg as well as a team-best 6.5 rpg and is shooting 55.9 percent (85-for-152) from the field.

Up Next

Loyola will play its first home game in over a month when Bradley comes to Gentile Arena on Saturday (Jan. 8) for a 3 p.m. showdown.