CHICAGO - Loyola Chicago returns home to take on Central Michigan Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in Gentile Arena. The Ramblers look to open December with a win, while a win for the Chippewas would improve them to .500.

Tuesday's game will be on Marquee Sports Network and ESPN+ with Jordan Bernfield (PXP) and Karli Bell (Analyst). The game can also be listened to Rambler Sports Network with Scott Sudikoff (PXP) and Christian Thomas (Analyst).

RAMBLINGS
• Loyola looks to rally and pick up its second win of the season after dropping its last seven, including two in the Acrisure Series in Palm Springs last week.
• The Ramblers took on former MVC foe Northern Iowa in game one of the tournament. Despite the loss, Loyola won the rebounding battle for the first time this season, out-rebounding UNI 43-32. Justin Moore had a team-leading and season-high seven rebounds, while Deywilk Tavarez added six. Seven more Ramblers had three or more boards, and Nic Anderson led with three on the offensive glass.
• Rubin tallied Loyola's first double-double of the season in the loss to San Jose State. He had 13 points and a season-high 10 rebounds. It marked his fifth career double-double. Rubin also tallied three blocks.
• Chuck Love III had a team-leading 13 points vs. the Spartans. He went 3-6 from three-point range.
• As a team, the Ramblers rank fourth in the Atlantic 10 in blocked shots, averaging 4.75 per game. Rubin is the top individual, averaging 2.9 blocks per game. He has 23 on the year, which helped him break the all-time record of 176 earlier this season.
• Rubin is also tied 22nd in scoring, averaging 12.0 points per game. He has scored at least 10 points in five games this season, including a season-high 16 points on three occasions.
• Head coach Drew Valentine is in his fifth season at the helm. He has compiled a 84-58 overall record as head coach.

SCOUTING CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Central Michigan enters the week at 3-4 and is coming off a 112-67 win over Adrian last week. The Chippewas are ranking among the MAC's top-four in the following: No. 1 in blocked shots per game (4.71), No. 2 in total rebounds (39.6), and No. 2 in offensive rebounds (13.4).

CMU's roster is made up of 12 transfers and three freshmen. Nathan Claerbaut is leading them through the first seven games, scoring 11.4 points per game. He's scored double-figures in every game but the season opener, including a season-high 20 points vs. Coppin State. He had a double-double with 11 rebounds.

This marks Andy Bronkema's first season as head coach of the Chippewas. He holds a 281-109 overall head coaching record over 13 seasons.

SERIES HISTORY
The all-time series is tied 3-3. This marks the first meeting between the ramblers and Chippewas since 1977.