Game 1 Preview – Fairleigh Dickinson
History Between Teams:
This game marks the start of the season for our Loyola Ramblers. The Ramblers and Knights have never faced each other before. Their record is 0-0 against Fairleigh Dickinson.
Main Storyline For This Game:
Both head coaches are trying to prove themselves, but on a vastly different scale. Rambler fans know the questions for Drew Valentine coming into this season. Can he replicate success without 4 returning super seniors? Can Drew’s system and his players continue to be productive in the Atlantic 10? And for FDU coach, Tobin Anderson, the question is similar, can his system translate to the higher level of Division 1 basketball. Anderson was hired at FDU this past season from Division 2, St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, N.Y. Last year Anderson’s team went 28-5 and averaged 85 points per game. He also brings to veteran guards with him from St. Thomas in Demetre Roberts and Grant Singleton. Can Anderson and company duplicate their success from Division 2? That question will begin to be answered on Monday against Loyola.
Hot or Not:
Hot: Phil Alston and Jalen Quinn have had very impressive starts to their (unofficial) Loyola careers. The last three games we have stats from, Alston has scored 18&10, 15&9, and 19 against Calumet, Marquette in the secret scrimmage, and FOS Provence in France. Although none of these stats count towards records they should matter to Rambler fans. Alston has showed out early and often. Look for a healthy dosage of Alston underneath against the Knights in the early going on Monday.
Quinn has been equally impressive. He quickly turned some heads in his first game wearing Loyola across his chest. Quinn began the France trip with a 17 point, 4 steal game against Le Cannet. This past Sunday, he finished with a game high 20 points and 3 steals while starting the exhibition game against Calumet College. Quinn was 7 of 8 from 2 point range. The only obvious area of improvement from that game was his three point shooting where he finished 1 of 5.
Not: Loyola’s shooting in their exhibition game left fans wanting more. It’s tough to say that when they scored 82 total points, but our Ramblers struggled to efficiently score the ball. The Ramblers shot 24 of 42 from the free throw line, and 4 of 29 from three point range. Six Ramblers failed to make any of their three point shots: Dawson, Thomas, Wilson, Schwieger, Welch and Alston. Look for their shooting luck to change on Monday.
Game Time, Broadcast Info, Ticket Availability
- Monday November 7 at 7pm
- TV: NBC Sports Chicago+
- Radio: Rambler Sports Network
- Tickets: RamblerTickets.com
Potential Starting Lineups:
G: Braden Norris
G: Marquise Kennedy
F: Saint Thomas
F: Phil Alston
C: Bryce Golden
Recently injured/unavailable:
-Sheldon Edwards (thumb)
-Marquise Kennedy (knee)
By The Numbers:
- Points Per Game (2021-22)
- LUC: 72.8
- FDU: 67.2
- Points Allowed Per Game (2021-22)
- LUC: 61.5
- FDU: 79.2
- Sevens are Wild
- LUC has won 7 straight season openers, all at home
- FDU has lost 7 straight season openers, all on the road
