Michigan Monday: An Early Look at The Ramblers

Loyola-Chicago is 32-5

They won the Missouri Valley Conference regular season and tournament.

Tier One: Best win was at Florida and they did lose at Boise. 

Last loss was on 1/31 at Bradley.

If Coach B was still at a smaller school, it would be exactly like this team.   They play small ball with their tallest guy a 6'9 center on the roster.   They shoot well from the field and don't get any offensive boards.   They play smart basketball and have surprised a few people in the tournament this year.


Loyola has played close games through the tournament and have done it with scoring the basketball.  As we have seen from the Wolverines and other teams, shooting as been a bit off for many teams in the tournament this year.   They do a great job in spacing the floor and getting room for their offense to be effective.  Loyola has been "playing with house money" and shooting the ball very well.   Scoring the basketball and draining 3's can cover up a ton of weakness in other areas.  They only give up 62 points a game, which ranks 5th in the country as they play smart defense, but rank 326th in rebounding.


Loyola like Florida State turns the ball over a ton which has really has been their Achilles heel this year.  They rank 214th nationally in turn overs.  Michigan as you know doesn't turn the ball over which should be a big advantage for the Wolverines.  Loyola doesn't have anywhere near the length or athleticism that FSU did and Michigan should be able to score the basketball off turnovers on Saturday night. 


Michigan will also have a big advantage on the boards and with their strong defense from its guards Simpson and MAAR.   Wagner is a huge miss match to anyone the Ramblers can throw at him.  


You do have take in the affect that Loyola is the "darling of the tournament" and on a fun run for their program and fans.   So they will have to shoot the lights out of the Alamo Dome to win this game, which they have pretty much done most of the tournament.   We also know that shooting can come and go and Michigan has been winning games with their defense and offense in the tournament.   I like Michigan's chances with Coach B having a full week to game plan and Coach Yaklich knowing them from coaching in the same conference last year. 

• TNT will have a special Michigan broadcast for the Loyola game.