CHICAGO (January 4, 2022) – After having its scheduled game at Illinois State postponed due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns within the Redbirds' program, Loyola University Chicago's (9-2, 1-0 MVC) men's basketball team will now play the University of San Francisco (13-1) in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 6 in a battle of two of the top programs in the country this season.
 
Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT (noon MT) and admission for the game at the Lifetime Activities Center-Bruin Arena on the campus of Salt Lake Community College is $10. Broadcast details are still being determined. 
 
San Francisco, which has had its last two games postponed due to COVID concerns with its opponents, is off to a phenomenal start, having won 13 of its first 14 contests. The Dons own victories over Davidson (65-60), Arizona State (66-65) and Southern Illinois (64-52), all teams that appeared on the Ramblers' 2021-22 initial schedule.
 
Loyola has not played since December 10 when it took down Vanderbilt, 69-58, in Nashville for its third win over a power conference team this season. The Ramblers have seen their last five games – vs. Norfolk State (Dec. 19), at Davidson (Dec. 22), at Southern Illinois (Jan. 2), vs. Saint Xavier (Jan. 2) and at Illinois State (Jan. 5) - canceled or postponed due to COVID-19 concerns and will bring a five-game win streak into Thursday's matchup.
 
This will be the sixth all-time meeting between Loyola and San Francisco and the first since November 27, 2010, when the Ramblers squeaked out a 63-62 victory in the Bay Area. The teams have split the first six meetings in the all-time series.