Nevada vs. Loyola-Chicago: 2018-19 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

Nevada and Loyola-Chicago are squaring off in a Sweet 16 rematch and battle between two of the best mid-majors in the country. Who will win?

TV schedule: Tuesday, Nov. 27, 8:00 p.m. ET, ESPNews
Arena: Joseph J. Gentile Center in Chicago, IL

Loyola-Chicago’s Cinderella Final Four run ended Nevada’s season in the Sweet 16 a year ago and now, with a majority of both rosters back, the teams have a rematch in what promises to be one of the best mid-major games of the entire season.

Nevada returned virtually every major contributor and has built off of that Sweet 16, starting 2018-19 with a perfect 6-0 record.

Caleb Martin (21.0 ppg), Cody Martin (8.5 ppg, 6.0 apg, 4.8 rpg), and Jordan Caroline (18.2 ppg, 10.5 rpg) are as good as any trio in the country and spearhead the nation’s most efficient offense, according to KenPom.

Of course, the Wolf Pack have not looked perfect, often needing big second halves to pull away from a few of the lesser opponents they have faced.

Loyola-Chicago, on the other hand, has had difficulty replicating the success of last year’s team. The Ramblers lost at home to Furman in the second game of the year (which doesn’t seem like a terrible loss) and are coming off a 78-66 defeat at the hands of Boston College, dropping them to 4-2 on the year.

Head coach Porter Moser’s squad is still playing quality defense but their offense has experienced a significant drop-off, ranking 121st nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency compared to 63rd last year.

Loyola is still getting good production from their four biggest returning contributors (Clayton Custer, Marques Townes, Cameron Krutwig, and Lucas Williamson) but the rest of the roster is very much struggling. That lack of depth is another big reason for their struggles.

With two losses already on their resume and this game being Loyola-Chicago’s last chance to pick up a really significant win, I think we’ll see the Ramblers give everything they have to offer. Playing this game in front of their home crowd should make a big difference, too.

If Nevada gets off to a slow start (as they have on several occasions), the Ramblers will be ready to take advantage. I think that happens and the combination of Custer and Townes combine to barely hold off a late rally from the Wolf Pack.

Prediction: Loyola-Chicago wins 72-71