Loyola Chicago Prepares for NIT Showdown Against San Francisco

The Loyola Chicago Ramblers are gearing up for an exciting second round matchup in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) against the San Francisco Dons. The game is scheduled to tip off at 6 p.m. CT and offers Loyola an opportunity to level the season series with the Dons.

Game Coverage

Fans can watch the action live on ESPN2, featuring play-by-play commentary from Chris Sylvester and analyst Jerod Haase. For those preferring audio coverage, the Rambler Sports Network will provide commentary from Scott Sudikoff and Christian Thomas.

Recent Ramblers Performance

The Ramblers enter this contest riding a wave of momentum after achieving their first NIT victory since 1962. They secured a narrow 73-70 victory over San Jose State in the opening round.

Key Player Highlights:

• Des Watson was a standout performer, scoring 24 points with an impressive shooting percentage of 53.3% and perfect free-throw shooting.
• Miles Rubin contributed significantly with 14 points, while Francis Nwaokorie nearly achieved a double-double with eight points and nine rebounds.
• In the Atlantic 10 Conference, Loyola also made strides, marking their first-ever tournament win against Saint Louis, 72-64, where Watson scored a career-high 25 points.
• Rubin and Kymany Houinsou both showcased their rebounding skills, with Rubin battling for five offensive rebounds in a semifinal matchup against VCU, leading to a dominant 48-38 rebounding advantage.

Remarkable Season Records

This season has been noteworthy for both individual and team accomplishments:

• Rubin set a new single-season block record, logging his 77th block against VCU, surpassing the previous record of 76.
• Sheldon Edwards Jr. achieved a new milestone by making his 86th three-pointer, positioning him ahead in the record books.
• Both Rubin and Jayden Dawson received All-Atlantic 10 honors, with Dawson earning a spot on the second team and Rubin being recognized for his defensive prowess.

Insights on San Francisco

The San Francisco Dons arrive at this stage with a robust overall record of 25-9, ranking third in the West Coast Conference with a commendable 13-5 conference record. Their run in the conference tournament came to an end with a semifinal loss to Gonzaga, 85-76.

Player Focus:

Malik Thomas has been a key player for the Dons, currently ranking 26th in the nation with 640 total points and averaging 19.4 points per game. He has scored in double figures in all but three games this season and has an impressive 16 games with 20 or more points, including a season-high 35 against Loyola Chicago during their earlier meeting.

Coaching Perspective

Chris Gerlufsen has been at the helm of the Dons for three seasons and has cultivated a solid record of 76 wins against 39 losses. His coaching strategies have significantly contributed to the Dons’ strong defensive statistics, placing them second in the nation for three-point field goal percentage defense.

Looking Ahead

As the Ramblers prepare for this crucial NIT matchup, their focus will be on continuing their successful run while containing the Dons’ key attacking threats. A victory would not only improve their season series but also advance them further in the tournament, making for an exciting basketball showdown.