The Loyola Chicago Ramblers (7-10) head to Northern Iowa to play the Panthers (10-8) in a game that has the potential to be low-scoring. The game gets underway at 4:00 pm ET on Saturday, Jan. 16 and will air on ES3.
The Panthers lost to Indiana State 74-60 on Wednesday. Bennett Koch was the team’s leading scorer, recording 18 points. The Ramblers, meanwhile, are coming off a close 54-53 loss to Bradley on Wednesday. Devon Turk had a game-high 15 points.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when two of the nation’s slowest-paced teams square off. Northern Iowa ranks 327th in possessions per game (65.6), while Loyola Chicago is 337th (65.2). Moreover, foul-shooting opportunities could prove to be quite rare for the Ramblers. They are 289th in the nation in FTA rate (31.8), while the Panthers are among the nation’s least foul-prone teams (allowing a rate of just 22.4, ranking second in the country).
Notes
In its last game, Loyola Chicago lost by a margin of one point. Northern Iowa is 1-2 in games decided by a margin of three points or less. Loyola Chicago has a 1-3 record in close games.
The Northern Iowa Panthers average 65.6 possessions and 1.109 points per possession in games this season. The Loyola Chicago Ramblers average fewer possessions with 65.2, as well as fewer points per possession with .963.
The Northern Iowa Panthers have one of the best effective field goal percentages this season, ranking 17th in the country with an eFG% of 56.4%. When their opponents record a similar or higher eFG%, the Loyola Chicago Ramblers are winless with a 0-4 record.
On average, Northern Iowa makes 5.4 steals per game. Loyola Chicago is a subpar 5-8 when it gives up at least 5 steals.
