CHICAGO - The Ramblers will play their final game at home of a three-game home stand Saturday afternoon. Loyola Chicago is hosting an undefeated New Orleans squad who is 2-0 to open the year. The Ramblers are looking to bounce back after a close battle with city rival UIC earlier this week. Tipoff in Gentile Arena is set for 3 p.m.
Saturday's game can be listened to on the Rambler Sports Network with Scott Sudikoff (PXP) and Christian Thomas '15 (Analyst). Listen on the Go Ramblers App, Varsity Network App or LoyolaRamblers.com with pregame coverage starting 20 minutes prior to tip-off.
Quick Hits
• Two Ramblers scored in double-figures against the Flames earlier this week. For the second straight game,
Des Watson led Loyola in scoring with 13 points, while
Braden Norris notched his first double-figure game of the year with 12 points.
• Norris filled the stat sheet with seven boards, five assists, and three steals. It was also his 60th career game with at least 10 points scored.
• Prior to taking on UIC at home, the Ramblers hosted Eastern Illinois where they surged to their first win (89-65) of the season and 15th straight home opening win.
• Watson scored a career-high 24 points in the win. He was 8-of-11 from the field with six three-pointers. He added three boards, two assists, and a block.
•
Greg Dolan and
Patrick Mwamba joined Watson in double-figures against the Panthers. Dolan recorded 12 points, while Mwamba added 11, all of which were in the second half.
• Watson is averaging a team-leading 14.7 ppg, ranking 17th in the Atlantic 10 after the first three games. He's also tied 15th in three-point percentage, shooting 50 percent from the arc (7-of-14).
• Dolan is also in the league's top-25 in three-point percentage. He's hit five from deep and sits tied for 10th shooting 55.6 percent.
• Norris is one of five A10 players to remain perfect at the free throw line. He's 10-for-10 and leads the league and Ramblers.
• Head coach
Drew Valentine is in his third season at the helm. He holds a 36-31 overall career record.
Scouting New Orleans
New Orleans is 2-0 heading into Gentile Arena Saturday. The season opened with a 100-70 win over Millsaps, before the Privateers dropped 106 points on SUNO Nov. 11. Last year, UNO posted a 12-20 overall record, including a 7-11 finish in the SLC. The Privateers return all five starters from their SLC Semifinal squad.
Jordan Johnson leads the Privateers averaging 19.5 points per game on 48 percent from the field. He's hit five threes and shooting over 38 percent from deep. Johnson also leads UNO with 6.0 assists per game and 2.5 steals per game.
Mark Slessinger is in his 13th season leading New Orleans. He's amassed a 163-199 record with the Privateers.
Series History
The all-time series is tied, 1-1. The teams haven't met since the 1985-86 season.
