CHICAGO (February 20, 2022) - Loyola plays its second game in three days Monday night when it makes the short journey to Illinois State. The Ramblers, who have won 23 of their last 24 contests versus teams from the state of Illinois, have won five straight games from the Redbirds, their second-longest, active streak versus Missouri Valley Conference foes (6 vs. Evansville). 

Over the last four meetings with Illinois State, Loyola has torched the Redbirds to the tune of 84.5 points per game, while burying shots at a dizzying 55.5 percent (126-for-227) rate from the field and 47.4 percent (45-for-95) clip from three-point territory. The Ramblers have connected for 10 or more triples in three of the last four games versus Illinois State and went 13-for-27 (.481) from long distance in a 78-64 victory on February 2. 

The Ramblers are trying to avoid losing back-to-back games in Missouri Valley Conference play for the first time since January 26 and 29, 2020, when they stumbled at Northern Iowa, 67-62, in overtime, and 68-63 at Southern Illinois.

Drew Valentine, the youngest coach in NCAA Division I basketball at 30 years of age, is the second skipper in program history to pilot Loyola to 20 wins in his first season on the job, joining Tom Haggerty, who guided the Ramblers to 23 victories in 1945-46.

Current Loyola director of player development Jake Baughman, who played for the Ramblers from 2016-21, is a native of Bloomington, Ill.

Loyola has won 14 of its last 17 (.824) true road games.

Loyola – Illinois State – The Series

Loyola and Illinois State are pairing up for the 29th time in a series that began in 1980. The Redbirds own a slim 15-13 advantage in the series, but the Ramblers have dominated recent play, claiming nine of the last 10 meetings, and bring a five-game win streak against ISU into Monday's showdown.

At Redbird Arena, Loyola has won just three of the previous 12 contests, although it has prevailed in two of the last three games in Normal, Ill. Seven of the last nine games between the teams at Redbird Arena have been decided by nine or fewer points.

Three weeks ago, in Chicago, Loyola overwhelmed Illinois State in the first half, jumping out to a 24-point lead en route to a 78-64 victory. Lucas Williamson totaled a career-best 27 points to lead the Ramblers, who got 18 points from Ryan Schwieger.

Scouting Illinois State

Illinois State has dropped eight of its last nine contests, including each of the last three, heading into Monday's battle at Redbird Arena. The Redbirds are coming off a competitive, 72-64 loss at I-74 rival, Bradley, on Saturday.

At home, Illinois State is 10-5 overall this season and has captured four of its seven league contests. Although they have only produced a 1-3 record, the Redbirds' last four games in Normal have been decided by a grand total of 12 points. 

Junior guard Antonio Reeves, a Chicago native, paces The Valley with 20.2 points per game and is connecting on 38.9 percent (68-for-175) of his three-point field goal tries. Backcourt mate Josiah Strong is putting up 11.8 ppg and has been even better from beyond the arc, sinking 42.7 percent (76-for-178) of his triple tries.

Up Next

Loyola returns to Gentile Arena for the final time in the 2021-22 regular season Wednesday night (Feb. 23) when it battles Evansville. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. CT.