Game 18: GMU (16-1 / 4-0) at Loyola Chicago (5-12 / 1-3) on Tuesday, January 13, at 7:00 PM.

[Patriotsince81]

Preseason predictions:
Loyola Chicago was picked to finish 5th in A10 Preseason Polls.
Miles Rubin - 1st Team & All-Defensive Team

The game is on CBS Sports Network.

KenPom: Gives us an 82% chance of winning.
GMU - 77
Loyola Chicago - 297
NET:
GMU - 77
Loyola Chicago - 311

History:
We are 2-3 against Loyola Chicago all-time.
Tony Skinn is 1-2 against Loyola.

Loyola Chicago is currently 5-12 on the season and 1-3 in A10 play. They are 3-6 at home, 1-2 on the road, and 1-4 at neutral sites.

Loyola Chicago is 0-1 against Quad 1 teams, 1-2 vs Quad 2, 1-5 vs Quad 3, and 3-4 against Quad 4 teams.

Schedule: https://loyolaramblers.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule

Wins: Cleveland St. (91-88), Central Michigan (83-72), Princeton (73-68), Santa Clara (80-78), Rhode Island (61-57),
Losses: Mercyhurst (73-65), North Texas (64-62), Wichita St. (95-74), Colorado St. (80-67), Northern Illinois (76-59), Northern Iowa (72-51), San Jose St. (63-51), Chicago St. (84-75), San Francisco (85-71), Dayton (70-68), Davidson (79-64), GW (101-66)

Probable Starters: 9 Ramblers have started this year. Players below started against Davidson.
6’10” Miles Rubin - 10.6 ppg & 6.8 reb & 39 blocks - Junior
6’1” Kayde Dotson - 10.4 ppg - Sophomore
6’2” Deywilk Tavarez - 9.6 ppg - Junior
6’7” Joshua Ola-Joseph - 5.3 ppg - Senior
6’7” Kymany Houinsou - 5.5 ppg - Senior

Reserves averaging double figure minutes:
6’3” Justin Moore - 13.3 ppg - Junior - started every game this season until missing the Davidson game. I have not been able to find out any info on a possible injury.
6’7” Chuck Love III - 7.2 ppg - Freshman
6’8” Xavier Amos - 11.4 ppg & 4.2 reb - Senior
Nic Anderson - 3.1 ppg - 28 minutes against Davidson but has only played in 9 games
Alexander Richardson - 2.5 ppg -
Caleb Reese - .9 ppg - 23 minutes against Davidson but has only played in 7 games

Roster: https://loyolaramblers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster

Team Stats:
Loyola Chicago averages 68.4 points per game (13th in the A10) while giving up 75.3 (13th in the A10).

The Ramblers shoot 43.0% from the floor (13th in the A10) and 32.0% from 3 (9th in the A10).
Opponents are shooting 42.8% from the field and 36.9% from 3.

They shoot 69.8% from the free throw line (12th in the A10).

The Ramblers have out rebounded opponents by .8 boards per game and average 12.6 turnovers per contest.

Stats: https://loyolaramblers.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats

Thoughts: How will we respond after our big win against vcu? Will we let down or find a way to sustain our success?

Their rotations are seriously crazy. Nine different starters. Some guys that didn’t play at all at the beginning of the year are now getting 20+ minutes. It makes no sense. They must had been hit by the injury bug or the coaching staff is searching for answers.

It’s probably a fair to say that they have underachieved so far this year given the prediction of finishing 5th in the league. They started off the season with a win but then dropped 7 straight games including a few head scratchers. They are 4-5 since their early season slide.

They really don’t stand out in any way although Miles Rubin remains a force in the middle leading the A10 with 2.4 blocks per game. He is also 6th in rebounding.

This is another good chance to pick up a road win.

Discuss.

 

[GMU79]

The Ramblers were playing at GW at the time of this post. I’ll update later. Down 60-39 so most likely a blow out loss.

Preseason predictions:
Loyola Chicago was picked to finish 5th in A10 Preseason Polls.
Miles Rubin - 1st Team & All-Defensive Team

The game is on CBS Sports Network.

KenPom: Gives us an 82% chance of winning.
GMU - 84
Loyola Chicago - 290
NET:
GMU - 77
Loyola Chicago - 311

History:
We are 2-3 against Loyola Chicago all-time.
Tony Skinn is 1-2 against Loyola.

Loyola Chicago is currently 5-11 on the season and 1-2 in A10 play. They are 3-6 at home, 1-1 on the road, and 1-4 at neutral sites.

Loyola Chicago is 0-0 against Quad 1 teams, 1-2 vs Quad 2, 1-5 vs Quad 3, and 3-4 against Quad 4 teams.

Schedule: https://loyolaramblers.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule

Wins: Cleveland St. (91-88), Central Michigan (83-72), Princeton (73-68), Santa Clara (80-78), Rhode Island (61-57),
Losses: Mercyhurst (73-65), North Texas (64-62), Wichita St. (95-74), Colorado St. (80-67), Northern Illinois (76-59), Northern Iowa (72-51), San Jose St. (63-51), Chicago St. (84-75), San Francisco (85-71), Dayton (70-68), Davidson (79-64)

Probable Starters: 9 Ramblers have started this year. Players below started against Davidson.
6’10” Miles Rubin - 10.6 ppg & 6.8 reb & 39 blocks - Junior
6’1” Kayde Dotson - 10.4 ppg - Sophomore
6’2” Deywilk Tavarez - 9.6 ppg - Junior
6’7” Joshua Ola-Joseph - 5.3 ppg - Senior
6’7” Kymany Houinsou - 5.5 ppg - Senior

Reserves averaging double figure minutes:
6’3” Justin Moore - 13.3 ppg - Junior - started every game this season until missing the Davidson game. I have not been able to find out any info on a possible injury.
6’7” Chuck Love III - 7.2 ppg - Freshman
6’8” Xavier Amos - 11.4 ppg & 4.2 reb - Senior
Nic Anderson - 3.1 ppg - 28 minutes against Davidson but has only played in 9 games
Alexander Richardson - 2.5 ppg -
Caleb Reese - .9 ppg - 23 minutes against Davidson but has only played in 7 games

Roster: https://loyolaramblers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster

Team Stats:
Loyola Chicago averages 68.4 points per game (13th in the A10) while giving up 75.3 (13th in the A10).

The Ramblers shoot 43.0% from the floor (13th in the A10) and 32.0% from 3 (9th in the A10).
Opponents are shooting 42.8% from the field and 36.9% from 3.

They shoot 69.8% from the free throw line (12th in the A10).

The Ramblers have out rebounded opponents by .8 boards per game and average 12.6 turnovers per contest.

Stats: https://loyolaramblers.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats

Thoughts: How will we respond after our big win against vcu? Will we let down or find a way to sustain our success?

Their rotations are seriously crazy. Nine different starters. Some guys that didn’t play at all at the beginning of the year are now getter 20+. It makes no sense. They must had been hit by the injury bug or the coaching staff is searching for answers.

It’s probably a fair to say that they have underachieved so far this year given the prediction of finishing 5th in the league. They started off the season with a win but then dropped 7 straight games including a few head scratchers. They are 4-4 since their early season slide.

They really don’t stand out in any way although Miles Rubin remains a force in the middle leading the A10 with 2.4 blocks per game. He is also 6th in rebounding.

This is another good chance to pick up a road win.

Discuss.

Rock fight. But we should win.
We avoided losing games in the OOC that we should have won (not the case in years past), and have won A10 games that we also were supposed to win...including the "upset" of vcu.
If we keep this up, even if we don't get the AQ, we should be a strong contender for an at-large.

 

[GMUYoda]

To me, this is a "danger" game. We just won a huge game at home against a hated and rough rival. We are riding high with momentum after playing a great 40 minutes. IMO, this is a game where if we are not 100% mentally there, we can lose. We need to make sure that we have turned the page. Vcpoo game is over. Loyola, while terrible, will be looking to knock us off our high horse and punch us in the mouth. We must be ready for a rock fight

 

[FlPatriot]

To me, this is a "danger" game. We just won a huge game at home against a hated and rough rival. We are riding high with momentum after playing a great 40 minutes. IMO, this is a game where if we are not 100% mentally there, we can lose. We need to make sure that we have turned the page. Vcpoo game is over. Loyola, while terrible, will be looking to knock us off our high horse and punch us in the mouth. We must be ready for a rock fight

Everyone in the A10 will be looking to clean our clock. No easy games until next preseason.

 

[mkaufman1]

They suck. Set the tone early and do all the things we do. That happens and we roll

Mason 82
Loy chi 68

 

[daveshac]

The LUC gym is a legit home court advantage with a returning student body. GMU needs to flush the vcu game. Given the way CTS was talking in the post-game presser, I think the one-game-at-a-time mindset is a point of emphasis, so I think they’ll show up ready to play.

 

[jessej]

After the vcu game I went downtown to see the GWU-LC game. I got there with 10 minutes left in the first half. GWU up by 20. GWU scored 101 points. I don't know why/how L-C dropped so fast but they are garbage.

101-66 GWU over L-C

 

[psyclone]

After the vcu game I went downtown to see the GWU-LC game. I got there with 10 minutes left in the first half. GWU up by 20. GWU scored 101 points. I don't know why/how L-C dropped so fast but the are garbage.

I'm still a bit wary about this game. We're likely to have a regression-to-the-mean kind of game after having so much go well in a big win over a strong rival. And as poorly Loyola must have played today (and most of the year) they are capable of giving good teams fits. Just a week ago on Loyola's home court, Dayton needed a 16-3 run in the last 6 minutes to eke out a 2 pt win.

Our guys certainly have shown that they can rise to the occasion, but I'd be surprised if this game turns in a cakewalk like today's GW game. (But I would be grateful if it did turn out that way!).

 

[GMUgemini]

I'm still a bit wary about this game. We're likely to have a regression-to-the-mean kind of game after having so much go well in a big win over a strong rival. And as poorly Loyola must have played today (and most of the year) they are capable of giving good teams fits. Just a week ago on Loyola's home court, Dayton needed a 16-3 run in the last 6 minutes to eke out a 2 pt win.

Our guys certainly have shown that they can rise to the occasion, but I'd be surprised if this game turns in a cakewalk like today's GW game. (But I would be grateful if it did turn out that way!).

They lost both Amos and Dotson in that game due to injury. Thats their second and fourth leading scorers. I think Dotson is their second best defender after Miles Rubin as well.

I don’t know how long either of them will be out but if they don’t play against us it will be a massive letdown to lose to them.

 

[2011WinOverVillanova]

Both of our road wins were 5 and 9 points. We win but I don’t see a 20 point win

 

[GMUYoda]

Both of our road wins were 5 and 9 points. We win but I don’t see a 20 point win

Yeah thats what concerns me some. I want to see a double digit road win

 

[DRK331]

Yesterday's win over vcu is a turning point for this program. With Tony Skinn as the head coach, this is not going to be like the Mason teams of the past.

Now let's get win #17!

 

[BraddockBeach]

I hear they have a good student section so should be a good atmosphere, much better than fordham. We win with Skinn!

 

[psyclone]

They lost both Amos and Dotson in that game due to injury. Thats their second and fourth leading scorers. I think Dotson is their second best defender after Miles Rubin as well.

I don’t know how long either of them will be out but if they don’t play against us it will be a massive letdown to lose to them.

Good point. I hadn't followed Loyola's injury situation that closely.

 

[tblack33]

Need to come out hot in this one and put them away early. They are much more talented than their rankings and we’ve seen when they get hot they can hang with and beat anyone. Key is to fluster them early and make Valentine have to try to coach.

I’ve been to a few games in Chicago now and their atmosphere is probably top 3 in the league. Very small arena, but loud and energetic. Fun and def should go if anyone ever gets the chance.

A bit nervous about this game but Tony seems to have the guys locked in and disciplined.

 

[TweederGMU]

Yea they are riddled with injuries to their team. They are just not a good team. Sweep the freaking leg.... no mercy.

Goodguys 71
Midwest ramblin Men 59

 

[Pablo]

Loyola Chicago is last in D-1 (361st) in turnovers forced per game (8.29) - https://www.ncaa.com/stats/basketball-men/d1/current/team/931/p8

In a game this season, Wichita State had just 2 turnovers vs. the Ramblers.

Could we possibly see another 0 turnover game for the Patriots?

 

[thebiasedannouncer]

Need to come out hot in this one and put them away early. They are much more talented than their rankings and we’ve seen when they get hot they can hang with and beat anyone. Key is to fluster them early and make Valentine have to try to coach.

I’ve been to a few games in Chicago now and their atmosphere is probably top 3 in the league. Very small arena, but loud and energetic. Fun and def should go if anyone ever gets the chance.

A bit nervous about this game but Tony seems to have the guys locked in and disciplined.

Their fans have stopped showing up. Was a ghost town against Davidson last week.

I am significantly less concerned about laying an egg if a bunch of their dudes are still out and they have to rely on players to give 15 minutes a night who were expected to give at most two. Getting dominated by Davidson at home was the bad sign for them imo, the momentum from the win they had against Rhody and the hot start against Dayton is gone.

Please still play hard though. Please.

 

[NewPatriot]

Yea they are riddled with injuries to their team. They are just not a good team. Sweep the freaking leg.... no mercy.

Goodguys 71
Midwest ramblin Men 59

Get the ramblers a body bag...yeah!!!

 

[Pablo]

Patriots Head to Loyola Chicago for Second City Showdown - George Mason University Athletics

The George Mason University men's basketball team (16-1, 4-0) travels to the Windy City for a Tuesday night battle with Loyola Chicago (5-12, 1-3).

gomason.com

"• Since the start of the 2024-25 season, George Mason leads the A-10 and ranks t-8th nationally in total wins (43).

• George Mason is 21-3 (.875) in its last 24 A-10 games dating back to the 2023-24 campaign."

"• Allenspach is averaging a team-high 14.8 points in league play and shooting 65.8 percent, while Hill is averaging 7.3 free throws made/game in A-10 contests.

• Two-time A-10 Player of the Week Kory Mincy ranks second in the A-10 in scoring (16.9 ppg), third in assist/turnover ratio (2.44), eighth in 3pt FGM/game (2.29) and ninth in assists per contest (3.6). He is 15th nationally in FT percentage (.920).

• Mincy is 20 points away from 1,000 for his career.

• Mincy (3rd) and Jahari Long (7th) both rank in the A-10 top-10 in assist/turnover ratio. Against vcu, the dynamic duo combined for 10 assists and just one turnover in the victory.

• The Patriots lead the A-10 and are 38th nationally in fewest turnovers/game (10.2) and have averaged just 8.4 over the past 11 contests.

• GMU shot 40.9 percent (79-193) from 3pt range over the first 10 games of the season, but the Patriots are at just 25.7 percent (27-105) over the past seven contests. During that seven-game stretch, George Mason is 157-270 (.581) from inside the arc.

• The Patriots are one of the most balanced teams in college basketball. Over the season's 17 games, eight different Patriots have led the team in scoring, and nine players average at least 10 minutes.

• Skinn, the 2025 A-10 Coach of the Year, sports an overall win percentage of .741 (63-22) and is at 70.0 percent (28-12) in A-10 games over his first three seasons."