Games of Interest - 2023-2024 MBB

[NYGFan_Section208]

Orange wins again to remain on 'cuse bubble track

[Jersey77]

Not surprised, the Bonnies beat Loyola 79-64 at the Reilly Center.
They have now won 4 of their last 5 games.
Again, I think they are going to make some noise in the A10T and capable of winning it.

[ramster]

Orange wins again to remain on 'cuse bubble track

Syracuse At Louisville next game then close out at Clemson (10-7) in a big game for both teams

[Jersey77]

GM loses to Fordham in a tight game 60-61 at Rose Hill Gym.
Starting PG Polite for Mason missed the game with an ankle injury.

[ramster]

St John’s at Butler (-1.5) Wednesday Night 8:30pm CBSSN

The Rick after Butler has AT winless in BE DePaul on road and finishes with Georgetown at home

Chance for St John’s to win their last 3 games heading to MSG

[ramster]

[Jersey77]

Quite the ending, tough loss.

[ramster]

Brigham Young upsets #7 Ranked Kansas 76-68 at Kansas

7 different players for BYU hit at least 1 3P shot

BYU NET was 14, Kansas NET was 15 going into the game

BYU came to the BIG 12 from the WCC while 1st place in Big 12 Houston, Cincinnati and UCF joined the BIG 12 from the AAC this year.

[woodennickel1]

Brigham Young upsets #7 Ranked Kansas 76-68 at Kansas

7 different players for BYU hit at least 1 3P shot

BYU NET was 14, Kansas NET was 15 going into the game

BYU came to the BIG 12 from the WCC while 1st place in Big 12 Houston, Cincinnati and UCF joined the BIG 12 from the AAC this year.

Byu completely outplayed Kansas with Kansas being the beneficiary of a very home whistle. Fouls were like 15 to 5 favoring Kansas and then a tech was called on Byu head coach Pope. He had quite a nerve to complain.

[ramster]

Brigham Young upsets #7 Ranked Kansas 76-68 at Kansas

7 different players for BYU hit at least 1 3P shot

BYU NET was 14, Kansas NET was 15 going into the game

BYU came to the BIG 12 from the WCC while 1st place in Big 12 Houston, Cincinnati and UCF joined the BIG 12 from the AAC this year.

Byu completely outplayed Kansas with Kansas being the beneficiary of a very home whistle. Fouls were like 15 to 5 favoring Kansas and then a tech was called on Byu head coach Pope. He had quite a nerve to complain.

Good article recapping the game and this paragraph denotes how rare a win by the visiting team is…..

It was just the 18th home loss since Bill Self took over at Kansas in 2003. And it snapped a handful of other notable Jayhawks streaks, including an 82-game home win streak when leading at halftime and a 67-game home win streak against unranked opponents.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... win-streak

[RI_Bred]

It was just the 18th home loss since Bill Self took over at Kansas in 2003. And it snapped a handful of other notable Jayhawks streaks, including an 82-game home win streak when leading at halftime and a 67-game home win streak against unranked opponents.

That is an incredible stat. Think about that.

[Rhody15]

Kansas was missing their best player and All American, Kevin McCullar.

They have zero depth so with him not 100% moving forward, will be tough to make any noise in the tournament.

[ramster]

It was just the 18th home loss since Bill Self took over at Kansas in 2003. And it snapped a handful of other notable Jayhawks streaks, including an 82-game home win streak when leading at halftime and a 67-game home win streak against unranked opponents.

That is an incredible stat. Think about that.

Here is another good article on Self’s accomplishments. Keep in mind it’s from a year ago.

• KU is 305-17 in Allen Fieldhouse under Self (including seven undefeated seasons at home). Self’s teams are 158-11 in Big 12 home games and 147-6 in nonconference home tests. The nonconference losses: Kentucky, Arizona State, San Diego State, Richmond, Oral Roberts and Nevada. The conference losses: Iowa State (2), Texas (2), Oklahoma State (2), TCU, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Baylor, Texas Tech.

https://amp.kansascity.com/sports/colle ... 77450.html

[ramster]

Wednesday A10 Games:

• URI (11-16) @ VCU (-13.5) (18-9) CBSSN 6:30pm

• LaSalle (14-14) Duquesne (-9.5) (16-11)ESPN+ 7pm

• Richmond (-4.5) (20-7) @ St Louis (7-17) ESPN+ 8pm

URI loses to VCU by 21
Duquesne beats LaSalle by 12
Richmond wins at St Louis by 14

St John’s was +1 at Butler but easily beat Butler by 82-59

[reef]

Wednesday A10 Games:

• URI (11-16) @ VCU (-13.5) (18-9) CBSSN 6:30pm

• LaSalle (14-14) Duquesne (-9.5) (16-11)ESPN+ 7pm

• Richmond (-4.5) (20-7) @ St Louis (7-17) ESPN+ 8pm

URI has increased by 1 to +13.5
We are National Broadcast on CBSSN


LaSalle has increased by 1 to +9.5

Richmond has decreased by 1 to -4.5

Loving Richmond tonight !

[Jersey77]

Wednesday A10 Games:

• URI (11-16) @ VCU (-13.5) (18-9) CBSSN 6:30pm

• LaSalle (14-14) Duquesne (-9.5) (16-11)ESPN+ 7pm

• Richmond (-4.5) (20-7) @ St Louis (7-17) ESPN+ 8pm

URI has increased by 1 to +13.5
We are National Broadcast on CBSSN


LaSalle has increased by 1 to +9.5

Richmond has decreased by 1 to -4.5

Loving Richmond tonight !

Just keep putting the finishing touches on Ford's tenure at SLU.

[reef]

Wednesday A10 Games:

• URI (11-16) @ VCU (-13.5) (18-9) CBSSN 6:30pm

• LaSalle (14-14) Duquesne (-9.5) (16-11)ESPN+ 7pm

• Richmond (-4.5) (20-7) @ St Louis (7-17) ESPN+ 8pm[/list
  
  URI has increased by 1 to +13.5
  We are National Broadcast on CBSSN
  
  
  LaSalle has increased by 1 to +9.5
  
  Richmond has decreased by 1 to -4.5

Loving Richmond tonight !

Just keep putting the finishing touches on Ford's tenure at SLU.

That’s what I’m thinking 77

[ramster]

Wednesday A10 Games:

• URI (11-16) @ VCU (-13.5) (18-9) CBSSN 6:30pm

• LaSalle (14-14) Duquesne (-9.5) (16-11)ESPN+ 7pm

• Richmond (-4.5) (20-7) @ St Louis (7-17) ESPN+ 8pm

URI loses to VCU by 21
Duquesne beats LaSalle by 12
Richmond wins at St Louis by 14

St John’s was +1 at Butler but easily beat Butler by 82-59
PC loses at Marquette by a lot which boosted St John’s At Large hopes

[adam914]

This upcoming URI vs. St Louis game is gonna be, um, interesting...

[ramster]

This upcoming URI vs. St Louis game is gonna be, um, interesting...

It’s on National Broadcast too at 4 pm CBSSN

Possible we end Conference on an 8 game losing streak

5 straight losses now with St Louis and George Mason at home and then close out with Fordham on the road.

[reef]

Must win game v St Louie !

[Rhody15]

Must win game v St Louie !

Dude it couldn't be further from a must win game.

[ramster]

Must win game v St Louie !

Dude it couldn't be further from a must win game.

Dude,
Reef banned you.
He can’t see your responses.

[Rhody15]

Must win game v St Louie !

Dude it couldn't be further from a must win game.

Dude,
Reef banned you.
He can’t see your responses.

He can, but thanks for your concern?

[ramster]

Dude it couldn't be further from a must win game.

Dude,
Reef banned you.
He can’t see your responses.

He can, but thanks for your concern?

You are welcome. Have a nice leap year day and maybe try being nice for 1 day out of 4 years.

[ramster]

Friday A10 Games:

• Dayton (22-5) @ Loyola (-TBA) (20-8) ESPN2/ESPN+ 9pm

[Jersey77]

Friday A10 Games:

• Dayton (22-5) @ Loyola (-TBA) (20-8) ESPN2/ESPN+ 9pm

Should be a good game, but I like Dayton in this one, they are the better team.

[ramster]

Friday A10 Games:

• Dayton (22-5) @ Loyola (-TBA) (20-8) ESPN2/ESPN+ 9pm

Should be a good game, but I like Dayton in this one, they are the better team.

It’s a great game for the A10 for the last Friday Night Showcase of the season

I’m thinking that Dayton fans bought up a lot of tickets for this game weeks and months ago being only 230 miles away

Dayton fans travel remarkably well

[Jdrums#3]

Must win game v St Louie !

Reef, considering we could lose out the rest of the season, this is a big game - as in it is likely our last winnable game since it is against a wounded team with a coach who is likely on his way out.

I would hate to see us finish the season on an extended losing streak. So, it is a big game for me as well.

[ramster]

Must win game v St Louie !

Reef, considering we could lose out the rest of the season, this is a big game - as in it is likely our last winnable game since it is against a wounded team with a coach who is likely on his way out.

I would hate to see us finish the season on an extended losing streak. So, it is a big game for me as well.

St Louis is wounded byt they do bring in their now all time career 3P Field Goal Maker. We get to see him add to his total, hopefully not too many.

ST. LOUIS – Gibson Jimerson scored 21 points and broke Erwin Claggett's Saint Louis career record for 3-point field goals, but first-place Richmond defeated the Billikens 80-64 Wednesday night in an Atlantic 10 Conference game at Chaifetz Arena.

Jimerson, who was 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, has 297 treys in his SLU career. Claggett held the previous mark of 295.


To put Jimerson’s feat in perspective only Jimmy Baron and Tyson Wheeler have more career 3Ps and Jimerson will likely pass Wheeler soon.

[reef]

Must win game v St Louie !

Reef, considering we could lose out the rest of the season, this is a big game - as in it is likely our last winnable game since it is against a wounded team with a coach who is likely on his way out.

I would hate to see us finish the season on an extended losing streak. So, it is a big game for me as well.

Yeah that’s exactly my thinking Drums we lose this game then there is a decent chance we end up 11-20 God forbid !

[ramster]

Fascinating WCC mid-major game out in your part of the country tonight Reef…….

Thursday Game:

• Gonzaga (-3.5) (21-6) @ San Francisco (21-7) ESPN2/ESPN+ 11pm

WCC NET
15-St Mary’s (22-6)
21-Gonzaga (21-6)
54-San Francisco (21-7)

This could be a big win for San Francisco heading into the WCC Tournament

Mike Sharavjamts plays for San Francisco. Mike was A10 All Rookie last year for Dayton and then he transferred to San Francisco. His dad was the 1st Asian to ever play for the Harlem Globetrotters. Mike is the first Mongolian citizen to earn a Division I athletic scholarship.

Brigham Young (20-8) NET is 10 and playing in the Big 12 now.

Strength in the WCC As well as The Mountain West this year to get multiple bids

[reef]

Fascinating WCC mid-major game out in your part of the country tonight Reef…….

Thursday Game:

• Gonzaga (-3.5) (21-6) @ San Francisco (21-7) ESPN2/ESPN+ 11pm

WCC NET
15-St Mary’s (22-6)
21-Gonzaga (21-6)
54-San Francisco (21-7)

This could be a big win for San Francisco heading into the WCC Tournament

Mike Sharavjamts plays for San Francisco. Mike was A10 All Rookie last year for Dayton and then he transferred to San Francisco. His dad was the 1st Asian to ever play for the Harlem Globetrotters. Mike is the first Mongolian citizen to earn a Division I athletic scholarship.

Brigham Young (20-8) NET is 10 and playing in the Big 12 now.

Strength in the WCC As well as The Mountain West this year to get multiple bids

Yeah I’m surprised the Zags are that close to the bubble

St Mary’s started terrible OOC now 14-0 conf !

[ramster]

Bryant loses by 22 at UMass Lowell. Bryan was 4.5 point underdog
Bryant was a poor 9-19 FTs and 2-18 3P.
Tough loss for one of Rhody Vault’s favorite teams. Only 700 attended at Lowell

Albany was favored by only 1.5 but won by 91-67 over New Hampshire. Only Top 8 make the conference tournaments 9th bottom team stays home, season over.
Thomas improving the teams performance and Tyler Bertram hitting threes. Bertram was a URI recruit at one time
2nd win by Albany over New Hampshire.

[ramster]

Fascinating WCC mid-major game out in your part of the country tonight Reef…….

Thursday Game:

• Gonzaga (-3.5) (21-6) @ San Francisco (21-7) ESPN2/ESPN+ 11pm

WCC NET
15-St Mary’s (22-6)
21-Gonzaga (21-6)
54-San Francisco (21-7)

This could be a big win for San Francisco heading into the WCC Tournament

Mike Sharavjamts plays for San Francisco. Mike was A10 All Rookie last year for Dayton and then he transferred to San Francisco. His dad was the 1st Asian to ever play for the Harlem Globetrotters. Mike is the first Mongolian citizen to earn a Division I athletic scholarship.

Brigham Young (20-8) NET is 10 and playing in the Big 12 now.

Strength in the WCC As well as The Mountain West this year to get multiple bids

Yeah I’m surprised the Zags are that close to the bubble

St Mary’s started terrible OOC now 14-0 conf !

35-34 Gonzaga at half
Playing at the Chase Center, home of Golden State Warriors. San Francisco also played vs Minnesota in OOC play at the Chase Centrr

[ramster]

From ESPN
Graham Ike scored 26 points and No. 23 Gonzaga clinched a bye into the semifinals of the West Coast Conference Tournament by beating San Francisco 86-68 on Thursday night.

The Bulldogs (23-6, 13-2) won their 29th straight game against the Dons (22-8, 11-4) to wrap up the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament behind regular-season champion No. 17 Saint Mary's.

The top two teams get byes to the semifinals meaning Gonzaga will need to win only two games in Las Vegas to win the conference tournament and earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

But a win for the Bulldogs in the regular-season finale Saturday at Saint Mary's could help solidify an at-large tournament berth,




Ike transferred to Gonzaga after 2 years at Wyoming. Last year he averaged 19.5 ppg and 9.6 rpg.

Gonzaga ranked NET 21 but were Lunardi’s last team in to his latest Bracketology.

Tough for Mid Majors even with Gonzaga and Mark Few’s history.

[ramster]

Friday A10 Games:

• Dayton (-1.5) (22-5) @ Loyola (20-8) ESPN2/ESPN+ 9pm

This is the game write up from the Loyola Message Board for tonight’s game.

Based on last year some think Dayton fans will have bought up more than half the tickets. StubHub showing about $180 each for a pair of tickets morning of the game.





Friday, March 1, 2024 8:00 p.m.
Gentile Arena, Chicago, Ill.

When the 2023-24 A-10 men’s basketball schedule was released, a lot of folks zeroed in on Friday night’s game with Daton visiting Loyola. The game sold out somewhat early in the year, sometime in November or early December. But hardly anyone thought it was possible that these two teams would enter the month of March tied for second place in the A-10 at 12-3, only one game behind league-leading Richmond.

Dayton was picked to win the league in the 2023-24 Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll, with 20 of the 25 first place votes and DaRon Holmes II as Preseason Player of the Year. The Ramblers were picked to finish 8th after a dismal last-place inaugural season, and Richmond was 11th in that poll.

The Flyers have been the most impressive team in the league throughout the season, for sure. They won 16 of their first 18 games this season, starting out 6-0 in conference. Their only two losses in the first two and a half months of the season were at Northwestern and against Houston on a neutral court. Along the way, they picked up wins against several top 100 teams: LSU, St. John’s, SMU, and Cincinnati. The Flyers broke into the AP Top 25 at #25 on Jan. 15, and rose to #16 the next week. But being the prime target and top home game for most of the teams in the A-10 translated into three losses on visiting courts in league play: 69-64 on Jan. 27 at Richmond, 49-47 at VCU on Feb.9, and 71-67 at George Mason on Feb. 21. Dayton has remained in the Top 25 even with those losses, and comes into Friday night’s game at #21.

Head Coach Anthony Grant, in his 7th season at Dayton, has started the same five every game since the second game of the season. Starting point guard Malachi Smith, on the preseason second team, incurred a torn lateral meniscus seven minutes into the season and has missed every minute since. The Dayton starters are 6’10” junior center DaRon Holmes II, 6’7” junior forward Nate Santos, 6’3” junior guard Enoch Cheeks, 6’2” junior guard Kobe Elvis, and 5’10” sophomore guard Javon Bennett.

Holmes averages 20 points and 8 rebounds per game, even as he’s the focus of every team’s defense. He’s improved his three-point shooting to 37.1%, and takes a lot more long-distance shots this season. He’s one of the top shot blockers in the conference, averaging 2.1 per game, and has improved passing out of double-teams (he averages 2.6 assists per game). He’s the best player in the league by a comfortable margin, the most obvious NBA prospect, and he's ranked as the 2nd best player in the nation (behind only Zach Edey) by KenPom.

Santos is a solidly-built Pitt transfer who finishes really well at the basket and surprises some with his 40.7% three-point shooting; he averages 11.8 points and 6.6 rebounds. Elvis is a very quick guard who shoots a respectable 36.6% from distance, dishes 3.5 assists per game, and averages 9.1 points. Cheeks is another strong guard with a nose for the ball; he puts in 7.3 points and adds 4.8 rebounds per game. Bennett, the guard who was elevated after Smith was injured, has played well enough to start on most teams in the league as a sophomore, chipping in 8.9 points and leading the team in assist (3.6 per game) and steals (1.2 per).

That’s a great starting lineup, but then you have one of the best sixth men in the league in 6’6” guard Koby Brea, who leads the A-10 in three-point shooting percentage at 49.1%. Brea was the A-10’ Sixth Man of the Year as a sophomore in 2021-22, and this year as a Covid-year junior is averaging 10.8 points and 3.8 rebounds playing starter’s minutes off the bench. Six-eleven sophomore center Issac Jack and 6’8” freshman forward Petras Padegimas are able to give the big men a break for 7-10 minutes a game. That’s the end of the bench unless it’s a total blowout.

It’s a really difficult thing to beat Dayton. You’ve got to hold them to under 42% field goal shooting, and hope they are also having an off night on threes or at the free throw line (they’re a 70.8% free throw shooting team, just slightly better than Loyola at 69.2%). Generally, they seem to struggle more at a deliberate pace with long possessions—that’s how Houston, George Mason, Northwestern, and to a lesser extent VCU beat them. In the VCU game, they lost 49-47 while going 9 of 18 from the free throw line. Mason just plain wouldn’t let them get the ball inside the arc. Richmond beat them with the same formula they’ve been beating everyone this year: tough inside defense, hitting timely shots, spreading the floor, benefitting from foul calls.

Expect a whole lot of Flyers fans in attendance at Gentile Arena Friday night. Flyers fans travel well, it’s a Friday night in Chicago (only 285 miles from Dayton), and it’s easy to parlay that into a weekend. There are also a lot of Dayton alumni in Chicago.

I tried to look up the last time we beat a ranked team at home, and I suspect it might have been Butler in the Aughts, but I can’t readily find that info. If you see it somewhere, mention in the comments.


Loyola game notes: https://loyolaramblers.com/documents/20 ... Dayton.pdf

Dayton game notes: https://daytonflyers.com/documents/2024 ... a_Game.pdf

TV/Streaming video: ESPN 2 https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/eve ... =401596929

Radio/Streaming audio: https://loyolaramblers.com/watch/?Live=180&type=Live

Live stats: https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=482160

Vegas odds: Dayton by 1.5

[reef]

From ESPN
Graham Ike scored 26 points and No. 23 Gonzaga clinched a bye into the semifinals of the West Coast Conference Tournament by beating San Francisco 86-68 on Thursday night.

The Bulldogs (23-6, 13-2) won their 29th straight game against the Dons (22-8, 11-4) to wrap up the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament behind regular-season champion No. 17 Saint Mary's.

The top two teams get byes to the semifinals meaning Gonzaga will need to win only two games in Las Vegas to win the conference tournament and earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

But a win for the Bulldogs in the regular-season finale Saturday at Saint Mary's could help solidify an at-large tournament berth,




Ike transferred to Gonzaga after 2 years at Wyoming. Last year he averaged 19.5 ppg and 9.6 rpg.

Gonzaga ranked NET 21 but were Lunardi’s last team in to his latest Bracketology.

Tough for Mid Majors even with Gonzaga and Mark Few’s history.

Yeah Zags NET of 21 should have them safely in the field

[PeterRamTime]

From ESPN
Graham Ike scored 26 points and No. 23 Gonzaga clinched a bye into the semifinals of the West Coast Conference Tournament by beating San Francisco 86-68 on Thursday night.

The Bulldogs (23-6, 13-2) won their 29th straight game against the Dons (22-8, 11-4) to wrap up the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament behind regular-season champion No. 17 Saint Mary's.

The top two teams get byes to the semifinals meaning Gonzaga will need to win only two games in Las Vegas to win the conference tournament and earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

But a win for the Bulldogs in the regular-season finale Saturday at Saint Mary's could help solidify an at-large tournament berth,




Ike transferred to Gonzaga after 2 years at Wyoming. Last year he averaged 19.5 ppg and 9.6 rpg.

Gonzaga ranked NET 21 but were Lunardi’s last team in to his latest Bracketology.

Tough for Mid Majors even with Gonzaga and Mark Few’s history.

Gonzaga should be okay, but it is most certainly an example of how hard it is for mid majors.

Gonzaga just hadn't gelled enough at the beginning of the year, so they weren't able to cash in on any of their marquee match ups. They've gotten better as the year went on and was able to take down UK at Rupp. No way they beat UK earlier in the year.

No time to gel if you're a mid major! Lucky for the Zags they had Kentucky on the schedule when they were ready for them.

[Obadiah]

Friday A10 Games:

• Dayton (-1.5) (22-5) @ Loyola (20-8) ESPN2/ESPN+ 9pm

This is the game write up from the Loyola Message Board for tonight’s game.

Based on last year some think Dayton fans will have bought up more than half the tickets. StubHub showing about $180 each for a pair of tickets morning of the game.





Friday, March 1, 2024 8:00 p.m.
Gentile Arena, Chicago, Ill.

When the 2023-24 A-10 men’s basketball schedule was released, a lot of folks zeroed in on Friday night’s game with Daton visiting Loyola. The game sold out somewhat early in the year, sometime in November or early December. But hardly anyone thought it was possible that these two teams would enter the month of March tied for second place in the A-10 at 12-3, only one game behind league-leading Richmond.

Dayton was picked to win the league in the 2023-24 Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll, with 20 of the 25 first place votes and DaRon Holmes II as Preseason Player of the Year. The Ramblers were picked to finish 8th after a dismal last-place inaugural season, and Richmond was 11th in that poll.

The Flyers have been the most impressive team in the league throughout the season, for sure. They won 16 of their first 18 games this season, starting out 6-0 in conference. Their only two losses in the first two and a half months of the season were at Northwestern and against Houston on a neutral court. Along the way, they picked up wins against several top 100 teams: LSU, St. John’s, SMU, and Cincinnati. The Flyers broke into the AP Top 25 at #25 on Jan. 15, and rose to #16 the next week. But being the prime target and top home game for most of the teams in the A-10 translated into three losses on visiting courts in league play: 69-64 on Jan. 27 at Richmond, 49-47 at VCU on Feb.9, and 71-67 at George Mason on Feb. 21. Dayton has remained in the Top 25 even with those losses, and comes into Friday night’s game at #21.

Head Coach Anthony Grant, in his 7th season at Dayton, has started the same five every game since the second game of the season. Starting point guard Malachi Smith, on the preseason second team, incurred a torn lateral meniscus seven minutes into the season and has missed every minute since. The Dayton starters are 6’10” junior center DaRon Holmes II, 6’7” junior forward Nate Santos, 6’3” junior guard Enoch Cheeks, 6’2” junior guard Kobe Elvis, and 5’10” sophomore guard Javon Bennett.

Holmes averages 20 points and 8 rebounds per game, even as he’s the focus of every team’s defense. He’s improved his three-point shooting to 37.1%, and takes a lot more long-distance shots this season. He’s one of the top shot blockers in the conference, averaging 2.1 per game, and has improved passing out of double-teams (he averages 2.6 assists per game). He’s the best player in the league by a comfortable margin, the most obvious NBA prospect, and he's ranked as the 2nd best player in the nation (behind only Zach Edey) by KenPom.

Santos is a solidly-built Pitt transfer who finishes really well at the basket and surprises some with his 40.7% three-point shooting; he averages 11.8 points and 6.6 rebounds. Elvis is a very quick guard who shoots a respectable 36.6% from distance, dishes 3.5 assists per game, and averages 9.1 points. Cheeks is another strong guard with a nose for the ball; he puts in 7.3 points and adds 4.8 rebounds per game. Bennett, the guard who was elevated after Smith was injured, has played well enough to start on most teams in the league as a sophomore, chipping in 8.9 points and leading the team in assist (3.6 per game) and steals (1.2 per).

That’s a great starting lineup, but then you have one of the best sixth men in the league in 6’6” guard Koby Brea, who leads the A-10 in three-point shooting percentage at 49.1%. Brea was the A-10’ Sixth Man of the Year as a sophomore in 2021-22, and this year as a Covid-year junior is averaging 10.8 points and 3.8 rebounds playing starter’s minutes off the bench. Six-eleven sophomore center Issac Jack and 6’8” freshman forward Petras Padegimas are able to give the big men a break for 7-10 minutes a game. That’s the end of the bench unless it’s a total blowout.

It’s a really difficult thing to beat Dayton. You’ve got to hold them to under 42% field goal shooting, and hope they are also having an off night on threes or at the free throw line (they’re a 70.8% free throw shooting team, just slightly better than Loyola at 69.2%). Generally, they seem to struggle more at a deliberate pace with long possessions—that’s how Houston, George Mason, Northwestern, and to a lesser extent VCU beat them. In the VCU game, they lost 49-47 while going 9 of 18 from the free throw line. Mason just plain wouldn’t let them get the ball inside the arc. Richmond beat them with the same formula they’ve been beating everyone this year: tough inside defense, hitting timely shots, spreading the floor, benefitting from foul calls.

Expect a whole lot of Flyers fans in attendance at Gentile Arena Friday night. Flyers fans travel well, it’s a Friday night in Chicago (only 285 miles from Dayton), and it’s easy to parlay that into a weekend. There are also a lot of Dayton alumni in Chicago.

I tried to look up the last time we beat a ranked team at home, and I suspect it might have been Butler in the Aughts, but I can’t readily find that info. If you see it somewhere, mention in the comments.


Loyola game notes: https://loyolaramblers.com/documents/20 ... Dayton.pdf

Dayton game notes: https://daytonflyers.com/documents/2024 ... a_Game.pdf

TV/Streaming video: ESPN 2 https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/eve ... =401596929

Radio/Streaming audio: https://loyolaramblers.com/watch/?Live=180&type=Live

Live stats: https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=482160

Vegas odds: Dayton by 1.5

Nice info contribution, ramster.

I assume Gentile will be packed with Dayton fans, since Loyola Chicago has "zero" fans.

[reef]

Going to guess Dayton 70 Loyola 65 tonight

[Jersey77]

Going to guess Dayton 70 Loyola 65 tonight

That would be my guess also Reef

[NYGFan_Section208]

Going to guess Dayton 70 Loyola 65 tonight

That would be my guess also Reef

My guess/hope is that there is lots of Luka in the forecast actually...

[RI_Bred]

Loyola hanging in first half, interesting!

[ramster]

A10 Games Saturday March 2:

• Fordham (12-16)) @ St Joseph's (-8.5) (17-11) ESPN+ 12:30pm

• George Washington (14-14) @ LaSalle (-4.5) (14-15) ESPN+ 2pm

• Duquesne (17-11) @ George Mason (-3.5) (18-10) ESPN+ 2pm

• UMass (-1.5) (18-10) @ Davidson (15-13) USA Net 2:30pm

• St Louis (10-18) @ URI (-2.5) (11-17) CBSSN 4pm

• VCU (19-9) @ Richmond (-2.5) (21-7) CBSSN 6pm

[ramster]

A10 Standings Heading into Saturday Games

1-Richmond (13-2)
2-Loyola (13-3)
3-Dayton (12-4)
4-VCU (11-4)
5-St Bonaventure (9-7)
6-UMass (9-7)
7-George Mason (7-8)
8-Duquesne (7-8)
9-St Joseph's (7-8)
10-Fordham (6-9)
11-Davidson (5-10)
12-URI (5-10)
13-LaSalle (5-11)
14-George Washington (3-12)
15-St Louis (3-12)

[ramster]

A10 NET Heading into Saturday Games:

1-Dayton - 21
2-St Bonaventure - 68
3-Richmond - 71
4-VCU - 74
5-UMass - 86
6-George Mason - 93
7-Loyola - 96
8-St Joseph's - 97
9-Duquesne - 104
10-Davidson - 106
11-Fordham - 178
12-LaSalle - 193
13-URI - 200
14-George Washington - 206
15-St Louis - 224

[reef]

Fight Loyola fight !

[reef]

63-63. 433 Dayton on a 7-0 run ! Great game

[rhodyram22]

63-63. 433 Dayton on a 7-0 run ! Great game

amazing how that works! Valentine only needed 2 years to get Loyola back to the top!!