Where: Chicago, Ill.
Radio/TV: 100.3/ESPNU
Probable Wright State starters
- Matt Vest, 6-5, Jr., G, 6.3
- Kendall Griffin, 6-4, So., G, 5.8
- Tavares Sledge, 6-9, So., F, 4.9
- Reggie Arceneaux, 5-9, So, G, 9.7
- Cole Darling, 6-8, Jr., F, 10.6
Probable Loyola starters
- Ben Averkamp, 6-8, Sr., F, 15.1
- Christian Thomas, 6-5, So., G, 6.9
- Jordan Hicks, 6-6, Sr., F, 6.0
- Cully Payne, 6-1, Jr., G, 8.7
- Joe Crisman, 6-4, So., G, 5.2
About Wright State: The Raiders are on a season-best four-game winning streak and have won seven of their last eight games. This is the first of four straight road games. … Wright State has won five games in a row in the series and five of the last six games at Loyola. … Jerran Young had 14 points in just six minutes in the first half Wednesday against Cleveland State. He finished with 23 points in 21 minutes. Young and Darling are the only Raiders to score 20 or more points in a game twice this season. … Wright State shot 80 percent (16-of-20) from the free-throw line Wednesday after shooting 57 percent over the previous four games (43-of-75).
About Loyola: The Ramblers opened Horizon League play with an upset of preseason favorite Valparaiso on the road, 63-54 on Jan. 2. Then they lost at home Saturday to Youngstown State 68-66. On Wednesday, they trailed the entire way at Green Bay, losing 58-45. They shot 19 percent in the first half and trailed 28-12 at halftime. … Loyola finished 7-23 a year ago and 1-17 in Horizon League play. It was picked to finish seventh this season. … Loyola ranks second in the league in defense (58.3 points per game) behind only Wright State (55.5).
Coach Billy Donlon on Loyola: "Watching them on film, we're a similar team. They play really hard. They run a very similar offense. Ben Averkamp, I said this on media day, just through the suit he was wearing, you could see his body, and it's unbelievable what he's done. He's having a phenomenal season. Cully Payne, the transfer from Iowa, can really shoot the ball. Joe Crisman has really improved. Hicks has been healthy finally for an entire year."
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