Illinois-Chicago vs Loyola Chicago: Mid-major game of the week

Check out this mid-major game of the week, Illinois-Chicago vs. Loyola Chicago.

As the early season rolls on and teams and coaches are starting to finalize their rotations, teams start to come into their own and show the nation what they will be. This week’s mid-major game of the week features two schools who were favorites to finish at or near the top of their conferences. One of these teams appears to be a match up that no one wants to face when the brackets get revealed in March

Illinois Chicago Flames at Loyola Chicago Ramblers

When: Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017

Where: Gentile Center, Chicago, Illinois

Time: 4:00 p.m. ET

TV: NBC Sports Chicago

Why This Game is Important:

Illinois Chicago is an experienced team that is loaded with talent. The Flames bring back most of their team from last year, and their star Dikembe Dixson is still getting up to speed after missing all but 10 games last year due to a torn ACL. The Flames can score, they are flashy, and they boast one of the best rim protectors in the entire country. The Flames have a tough task ahead of them, but in this battle of city rivals anything can happen. The Gentile center should be split 50-50 between Ramblers and Flames fans. Illinois Chicago is looking for bragging rights and city pride. Games that have those stakes always come down to more than talent.

The Ramblers are off to one of the best starts in school history. Their schedule picks up this week as they have a tilt with Boise State before the game with the Flames. While the Boise State game may look better on paper, the fact is that so much is riding on the game for the city of Chicago. This is the best game of the week because it doesn’t always come down to X’s and O’s. The Ramblers along with Northern Iowa are considered favorites in the Missouri Valley Conference and have done everything to show that the preseason ranking was earned. This game will be chippy and exciting on many levels. The Flames and Ramblers are fighting for city pride.

Key Players:

Tai Odiase- Illinois- Chicago

Odiase is one of the very best rim protectors in the country and the very best in the Horizon League. Odiase is also a skilled scorer around the rim, and, when teaming up with Dikembe Dixson, the two of them can be deadly. If Odiase is able to control the paint and clean up the rebounds, he will swing some momentum towards the Flames. Odiase is a game changer when he is blocking shots and scoring. He has earned every accolade he receives for his defense, but Odiase is sneaky on the offensive side of the ball and the Ramblers will have to identify and defend him on the defensive end of the floor. If not, Dixson and Odiase will spoil the Ramblers afternoon

Marcus Townes- Loyola

Townes is the best player on this deep Ramblers squad, and he is the go-to guy on the offensive end of the floor. Through the first season games of the season, Townes has put up some gaudy shooting numbers. He is making over 60% of his shots and shooting almost 50% from three. He doesn’t shoot as many three’s as the rest of the players on his team.  Townes may struggle to find some room in the paint in this contest especially with Odiase roaming around. If Townes is able to freely get to the rim and continue with his normal scoring load, then it will be a long day for the Flames. If Townes struggles, Loyola may struggle.

Score Prediction:

The Flames are going to make some noise in the Horizon League, and they have an outside chance to make the NCAA tournament if they can navigate to the conference tournament title. This game, as has been stated, means so much more to both schools. Illinois-Chicago has the talent to play with most every team in the country and is a tough team to prepare for because of their offensive firepower and their ability to play defense. The Flames are going to give the Ramblers all they can handle

The Ramblers have not been tested since the first game of the season and look every bit the part of a Cinderella this year. Loyola has some potential good wins on their resume at this point in the season and is going to be looking add another one on Saturday afternoon. If Townes is not scoring or is struggling, Loyola has 3 other players who can all score in a multitude of different ways. The Ramblers usually overpower their opponents with their depth, and it will be more of the same on Saturday.

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The Flames, while they can score, do not have near the depth or the talent in their starting five. If Dikembe Dixson can be what he was a year ago in this game and Odiase protects the rim, the flames may be able to pull off the upset. The Ramblers are too strong and have guys who can score, they will be able to overpower the Flames and will get a win, for the bragging rights of Chicago.

Loyola- 80 UIC- 68