Since 2005, the Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year Award has celebrated the best of the Mid-Majors coaching staff. With the recent nominations announced and the looming end-of-season competitions, all eyes are on top teams, from the Belmont Bruins to the Loyola Chicago Ramblers.
In fact, part of what makes the Mid-Majors so exciting is watching athletes, coaches, and universities with small names (compared to larger conferences) excel and improve over time. There’s always a worthy battle in each conference, whether the AAC’s battle between Wichita and Houston or Summit’s rivalry between UM Kansas City and South Dakota.
Indiana St., No. 22 Loyola-Chicago meet in conference play
February 18, 2021 GMT
Joseph J. Gentile Center, Chicago; Saturday, 1 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: MVC foes meet as Indiana State takes on No. 22 Loyola of Chicago. Indiana State beat Evansville by 14 in its last outing. Loyola of Chicago is coming off a 54-52 win over Valparaiso in its most recent game.
PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE: Senior leadership has been on display for both teams this year. Cameron Krutwig, Lucas Williamson, Aher Uguak, Tate Hall and Marquise Kennedy have combined to account for 61 percent of Loyola of Chicago’s scoring this season including 56 percent of the team’s points over its last five games. For Indiana State, Tyreke Key, Jake LaRavia and Randy Miller Jr. have collectively scored 51 percent of the team’s points this season, including 55 percent of all Sycamores points over their last five.
Illinois St. faces tough test vs No. 22 Loyola-Chicago
February 15, 2021 GMT
Redbird Arena, Normal, Illinois; Tuesday, 1 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: No. 22 Loyola of Chicago presents a tough challenge for Illinois State. Illinois State has played a ranked team only once this season and lost. Loyola of Chicago came up short in a 51-50 overtime game at Drake in its last outing.
SUPER SENIORS: Loyola of Chicago has relied heavily on its seniors. Cameron Krutwig, Lucas Williamson, Aher Uguak, Tate Hall and Marquise Kennedy have collectively accounted for 62 percent of the team’s scoring this season and 64 percent of all Ramblers points over the last five games.
After replacing Drake in this week’s Top 25, the Ramblers rolled to an 81-54 victory against the conference rival Bulldogs, improving to an MVC-best 13-1.
Loyola of Chicago (14-3, 9-1) vs. Missouri State (9-4, 5-4) JQH Arena, Springfield, Missouri; Monday, 8 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Loyola of Chicago looks for its eighth straight conference.