Loyola's Andy Polka and UIC's Jeremy Buttell wrote all the right things in their blog posts over at the Chicago Tribune's Players Only blog. Both teams are struggling near the bottom of the Horizon League standings, but it's obvious both want to change that as soon as possible.
Well, UIC and Loyola get their chance tonight. The Ramblers have a golden opportunity against Youngstown State, the other team mired in the bottom tier of the conference. UIC, on the other hand, will take on Cleveland State, but the game is at the Pavilion - a place where the effort has been consistently good for the Flames.
"Cleveland State is always a physical, tough team and it's always a fun
game to play, but I'm sick of just playing. I want to win," Buttell wrote.
The Vikings are also a team the Flames have a chance of beating. UIC lost to Cleveland State by 7 when they played earlier in the season. If the Flames want to turn up the intensity and get a victory for 2010 then this is the time to do it.
Loyola's chances are even better. The Ramblers are favorites tonight against the Penguins at the Gentile Center. Pomeroy gives Loyola a 75% chance of taking home the victory. And the Ramblers shouldn't be taking Youngstown State lightly, especially because the Penguins already have a 4-point victory from the last time they played.
Playing probably without Aric Van Weelden, and definitely without Jordan Hicks is going to make life difficult for Loyola. The rotation isn't quite as deep as it was when the season began. But there are still play-makers on the court and Loyola has to focus on utilizing those players.
With 5 of their final 8 Horizon League games at home this could be a turning point for the Ramblers as Polka pointed out. Lets see if change is on the horizon tonight.
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Tags: Andy Polka, Horizon League, Jeremy Buttell, Loyola-Chicago, UIC
