Matchup Overview:

The Loyola Chicago Ramblers (23-11, 13-7 A-10) will take on the San Francisco Dons (25-9, 14-6 WCC) in the National Invitation Tournament on Sunday at 7 p.m. EDT in San Francisco.

Team Records and Performance

San Francisco boasts a strong record in West Coast Conference (WCC) play, finishing with a 14-6 record, supplemented by an impressive 11-3 mark in non-conference games. The Dons lead the WCC in rebounding, averaging 32.4 boards per game, with Tyrone Riley IV notably contributing 6.0 rebounds per game.

In contrast, Loyola Chicago holds a 13-7 record against Atlantic 10 (A-10) opponents and stands out with the highest assists per game in the A-10 at 15.9. Kymany Houinsou is the team’s top playmaker, leading with 3.3 assists per game.

Scoring and Defense Insights

In terms of scoring, San Francisco averages 75.9 points per game, which is 4.6 points above the 68.9 points they allow to opponents. Loyola Chicago, meanwhile, scores an average of 73.5 points per game, slightly outpacing the defensive stats of the Dons.

The teams have already faced off once this season, with San Francisco claiming victory in a 76-66 win on December 15. Malik Thomas was a standout performer for the Dons in that game, scoring 35 points, while Des Watson led the Ramblers with 14 points.

Key Players to Watch

• Marcus Williams (San Francisco Dons): Averaging 15.1 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.5 steals.
• Malik Thomas (San Francisco Dons): Leading scorer with 18.6 points over the last 10 games, contributing 4.2 rebounds.
• Sheldon Edwards (Loyola Chicago Ramblers): Averaging 12.0 points and 3 made 3-pointers per game, with a shooting percentage of 38.1% from beyond the arc.
• Jayden Dawson (Loyola Chicago Ramblers): Performing well with an average of 14.5 points in the last 10 games.

Recent Performance Trends

In their last ten games, the Dons have recorded a 7-3 record while averaging 75.9 points and shooting 44.5% from the field. Their opponents, however, have managed to score an average of 73.4 points.

The Ramblers have had an equally strong performance, going 8-2 in their last 10 outings, averaging 73.1 points and boosting their shooting accuracy to 45.1%. They have limited opponents to an average of 68.4 points through strong defensive efforts.