How Many Teams Does Loyola University of Chicago Need To Blow Out Before The Know It All AP Ranks Them?
Springfield Leader - Missouri State (9-4, 5-4) was demolished in a 72-46 loss to Loyola-Chicago (14-3, 4-1) Sunday afternoon at JQH Arena on national television.
The Bears found themselves in an all-too-familiar position just minutes into Monday night's game.
Loyola scored the game's first 11 points seeing three different players connect from beyond the arc. MSU didn't score until the 16:47 mark of the half, but LUC responded with its fourth-straight 3 to take a 14-2 lead.
The Ramblers scored 12 of the next 14 points with Cameron Krutwig getting open looks in the paint. Lucas Williamson made a 3-pointer over the stretch as Loyola built its lead up to 14.
Loyola was 6-of-8 from beyond the arc with Williamson and Krutwig each scoring 11. Williamson was 3-of-4 from deep.
The second half was much of the same.
Missouri State, in the second half, never came closer than within 14 points in a lifeless JQH Arena that saw fans leaving early throughout.
Krutwig ended the game with 19 points and five boards for the Ramblers. Loyola shot 8-of-13 from deep with the Bears going 0-for-12 for the program's first night without a made 3-pointer since 2011.
It seems like ever since Dave and Sister Jean became best buddies Loyola has turned into a fucking wagon.
They even have seats in the same row at Gentile Arena.
Loyola is in second place in the MVC, trailing only Drake, which is 8-0 in the conference.
This Ramblers team is demolishing opponents. Each win in this five-game winning streak has come by double-digits, including a 42-point victory over Northern Iowa and a 36-point win over Valpo. Cameron Krutwig has been the best player in the league and yet this team still can't crack the top 25. What planet am I on?
They boast an overall record of 15-1 and are now 10-1 in the MVC.
Ken Pom has them at 16
Haslam at 12
Torvik at 17
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I'm actually going back and forth on whether being ranked is actually a good thing. I like my teams heading into conference tournaments and the big dance under the radar. So maybe the disrespect is a good thing?
Mark February 13th and 14th on your calendars when this team goes head to head with everybody's flavor of the month, Drake. Expect them to beat the brakes off them and then become everybody's new dark horse.