CHICAGO - Loyola Chicago welcomes Princeton to Gentile Arena Saturday afternoon. The teams will tip-off on national television at 1:30 p.m. CT. The Ramblers are coming off a home win earlier this week against Central Michigan, while the Tigers have dropped the last five of their games.
Saturday's game will be on USA with Steve Burkowski (PXP) and Tim McCormick (Analyst). The game can also be listened to Rambler Sports Network with
Scott Sudikoff (PXP) and Tom Welch (Analyst).
RAMBLINGS
• Loyola's second win of the year came earlier this week against Central Michigan, 83-72. It snapped a seven-game skid for the Ramblers.
•
Justin Moore recorded a game-high 21 points, marking the second 20-point effort this season. He finished 10-14 at the foul line, making seven in the final minute of play.
• Four other Ramblers joined him in double-figures.
Miles Rubin tied his season-high 16 points, while
Deywilk Tavarez and
Kymany Houinsou added 11 each.
Kayde Dotson scored 10.
• Houinsou did a bit of everything for Loyola in the win recording season-highs in rebounds (5), assists (6), and steals (2).
• Rubin recorded Loyola's only double-double of the year against San Jose State in the Acrisure Series. He had 13 points and 10 rebounds. It marked the fifth double-double of his career and sixth time he's brought down at least 10 boards.
• Rubin's rim protection continues to lead Loyola's defense. The junior center has 24 total blocks this season, ranking fourth in the nation. His 2.67 blocks per game falls 12th in the NCAA.
• In addition to defense, Rubin has been one of the most efficient Ramblers on offense. He has scored double-figures in six games, including a season-high 16 points four times. He is second in the A-10 and top-50 in the country, shooting 60.8 percent from the field.
• Tavarez leads Loyola and ranks eighth in the conference with 21 made three-pointers this year. He's made at least one in the last four games and drained a season-high five on two occasions.
• Head coach
Drew Valentine is in his fifth season at the helm. He has compiled a 85-58 overall record as head coach.
SCOUTING PRINCETON
Princeton comes to Chicago with a 3-8 overall record and on a five-game skid. The Tigers face an 0-4 record on the road with their only wins coming on the home court. Princeton was tabbed fourth in the Ivy League preseason poll after a 19-11, 8-6 finish last season.
The Tigers are trending near the bottom of the Ivy League. They give up the third most points (74.3) and face a -4.5 scoring margin so far this season. Princeton isn't shy from the three-point line, attempting 27.8 threes per game, which is third most in the league and 73rd in the country. The Tigers also make the third most threes per game in the conference (9.4). Dalen Davis leads the team with 16.5 points per game. He's scored at least 10 in every game, including two 20-point performances.
Mitch Henderson is in his 14th season at the helm with a 254-141 record.
SERIES HISTORY
The Ramblers lead the all-time series, 2-0. Loyola downed Princeton on the road last year, 73-68. Rubin had a 11-point, 13-rebound double-double to go with four blocked shots.
