CHICAGO (January 9, 2023) – Loyola University Chicago returns home for its first home game of 2023 on Tuesday, January 10, when the Ramblers play host to VCU inside Gentile Arena. Tip-off in the first-ever meeting between Loyola and the Rams is set for 6 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. Carter Blackburn and Pete Gillen will have the call. Tuesday's game is also available on the Rambler Sports Network with Jeff Hagedorn and Christian Thomas.
 
Last Time Out
Philip Alston matched his Loyola career-high with 23 points while Ben Schwieger added 17 and Braden Norris finished with 12 points and seven assists in an 86-75 setback at George Mason Saturday afternoon. Schwieger finished one rebound shy of his first collegiate double-double, bringing in a season-best nine bords. Loyola led for much of the first half, and was tied heading into the break, but was outscored by a 51-40 margin in the second half thanks to 62.1% shooting by George Mason.
 
Scouting VCU
Tuesday's meeting will be the first ever meeting between the Ramblers and VCU. The Rams enter the contest at 11-5 overall and 2-1 in A-10 play. VCU is coming off a 89-72 victory over Davidson last time out. In the win over the Wildcats, VCU drilled 15 3-pointers, including six from David Shriver who finished with a season-high 18 points. The 15 made 3-pointers are tied for the program's most in a single game since the 2012-13 season.
 
Adrian Baldwin Jr. leads a trio of Rams players averaging double figures, scoring 13.3 points per game this year. Brandon Johns Jr. is second on the team with 12.6 points and a team-leading 5.4 rebounds per game while Jamir Watkins averages 10.0 points per contest. VCU is one of the top teams in the country at getting to the free throw line, with their 24.6 FT attempts per game leading the A-10 and ranking 14th nationally while their 17.4 makes at the line is tops in the conference and 16th among DI programs. The Rams also thrive on the defensive end, ranking 24th in the country with 9.3 steals per game. Individually, Jayden Nunn is second in the Atlantic 10 Conference with 30 total steals on the year.
 
Mike Rhoades is in his sixth season at the helm of the VCU program and has led the Rams to three postseason appearances, including a pair of NCAA Tournament berths.
 
Up Next
Loyola goes back on the road for a Saturday, Jan. 14 contest at St. Joseph's. Tip-off in Philadelphia is set for 11:30 a.m. (CT).