Maybe it wasn’t just Paul Lusk…maybe there is something in the water down in Springfield. I just don’t understand with all that talent how Ford is unable to get these guys going. They shot 56% from the field and 62% from 3…still lost. He’s supposed to be a defensive minded coach! How long does Mo State give him to figure it out? I mean I don’t think he’s on the hot seat obviously, but if they under perform again this year (they are on track for that) I’m sure there are some folks that are going to start getting impatient.
I noticed those shooting percentages too - insane they still lost.
Loyola hanging with Michigan State. The Drake vs Loyola games this year will be must-see TV
Loyola tied with Michigan State on ESPN with 1:21 left
Michigan State wins on a lob with 3 seconds left
Loyola had a good chance to win, but had a bad possession with 30 seconds left. They look like they haven't missed a step without Krutwig. Loyola and Drake look miles ahead of the rest of the mvc so far this year. I think we are as good, or possibly better than UNI and MSU. Our defense will keep us in games against the top of the valley.
Loyola gets the loser of Auburn/UConn tomorrow at 1:30 so another good test for them. There's really no weak teams in the Battle 4 Atlantis field except maybe VCU who has struggled this season (Syracuse, VCU, Baylor, Arizona State) so plenty of opportunities for the Ramblers.
Valpo comes back and beats Tulane 68-64.
Missouri St beats George Washington 72-54
Illinois State getting trounced by Buffalo in the 2nd half
SIU has to get better. Offensive rebounding and mental lapses are killers right now. This team is much better than what they've shown thus far.
Missouri Valley Conference games for Thursday, November 25th:
Battle 4 Atlantis
#34 Loyola Chicago vs #30 Auburn 1:30 PM ESPN2 (No line yet)
Loyola gets an Auburn team that lost in double OT to UConn and is ranked #19 nationally so another good opportunity for the Ramblers. The Tigers are led by Sophomores Wendell Green and KD Johnson and Freshman Jabari Smith.
ESPN Events Invitational in Orlando, FL
#51 Drake vs #76 Belmont 6:30 PM ESPNU (Drake favored by 2)
Fun one in Orlando where the NBA bubble was played in the Summer of 2020 between two of the better mid-majors and a future MVC showdown. Another opportunity for Drake to get a quality win against a good mid-major.
SIU has to get better. Offensive rebounding and mental lapses are killers right now. This team is much better than what they've shown thus far.
Our D seems really improved - the Mullins effect. When Lance starts hitting those threes, and he was awful in Paradise (otherwise he'd of had 30 every night), and Verp and Harvey and Brown and Coupet and Domask too, we will be tough to beat! Also KF showed some offensive chops and that will get better. The best is yet to come.
Loyola down 7 with 5:44 left to Auburn on ESPN2
Loyola loses 62-53 to #19 Auburn and move to 0-2 in Atlantis. They'll get the loser of Arizona State-Syracuse.
Despite the losses Loyola has looked pretty impressive. Competing very well with top notch competition. Seems like they'll be just fine under Valentine
Winner of Drake/Belmont coming up will get Iona who just upset #10 Alabama
Drake up 1 on ESPNU with 6:51 left after trailing by 10 in the first half. Nick Muszynski has killed Drake going for 28 points on 11-14 shooting
