THE FACTS
Location: Chicago
Enrollment: 15,545
Arena: Gentile Center (5,200)
Coach: Jim Whitesell (357-270, 23rd season overall, 79-72, sixth season at Loyola).
2008-09 record: 14-18 overall, 6-12 (8th) in Horizon League; Lost to Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Horizon League quarterfnals
2009-10 record:6-2
Current RPI: 40
LAST FIVE GAMES:
Nov. 23: won vs. Western Michigan 60-58
Nov. 25: won vs. St. Ambrose, 81-42
Nov. 28 lost at Wisconsin-Green Bay 90-69
Dec. 5 won at Wisconsin-Milwaukee 69-64
Dec. 7 won vs. San Francisco, 66-63
NEXT FIVE GAMES
Dec. 20: at SIU-Edwardsville
Dec. 28: vs. Albany
Dec. 22 at Clemson
Dec. 31: vs. Wright State
Jan. 2: vs. Detroit
TOP PLAYERS
Scorers: Geoff McCammon 10.8 ppg; Walt Gibler 10.4.
Rebounders: Andy Polka 9.5 rpg; Walt Gibler 4.9
Assists: Courtney Stanley 5.4 apg
PRESEASON SCOUTING REPORT
The Ramblers struggled on defense last season and lost three of their top four scorers and the roster features 10 freshmen or sophomores so the Ramblers would be struggling to stay out of the Horizon League basement. But sophomore Jordan Hicks averaged 4.5 points a game as a freshman and coach Jim Whitesell has some promising recruits coming in.
LATEST BUZZ
The Ramblers have been strong at home (4-0) and have split their four games on the road with one of the losses coming at Kansas State and the other, in Loyola's league opener against Wisconsin-Green Bay -- a team that went 22-11 last year. Loyola spreads the offense around with Geoff McCammon, Walt Gibler and Terrance Hill all averaging between 10 and 11 points a game with Gibler's points coming off the bench.
