Loyola-Chicago @ South Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 17, 2012 ) Loyola-Chicago 50, South Florida 68

It has been a rough go for South Florida, punctuated by a blowout loss to IUPUI. The Bulls will now travel to the Cayman Islands to take on a Loyola Chicago team that looks to be a contender in the Missouri Valley Conference.

The bottom line for the Bulls is that they have struggled to score as they were 308th in the country entering Sunday with 63 points per game. In addition to being inefficient, they have gotten to the free-throw line 88 times and converted only 55.7 percent. The team was dealt a permanent blow when coach Brian Gregory announced former four-star forward Mayan Kiir, who hadn't played all year because of personal issues after appearing in every game in 2018-2019, was leaving the program. Much like the Bulls, the Ramblers have had an up-and-down season, being blown out by Furman before losing to Coppin State - one of the worst teams in the country, before turning around with easy victories over Saint Joseph’s and IUPUI.

TV: 1:30 p.m. ET, No TV

ABOUT LOYOLA (3-2): The Ramblers have been led by big-man Cameron Krutwig, who has scored at least 18 points in the last three contests while shooting 66.7 percent from the floor this season. But Krutwig has also been a great facilitator down low, averaging 6.8 assists with a 2.1 assist-turnover ratio. Veteran guard Lucas Williamson and Tate Hall average double-figure points while shooting better than 47 percent from the floor.

ABOUT SOUTH FLORIDA (2-2): The scoring struggles mainly extend behind the 3-point line as the Bulls have made 29.7 percent of attempted 3s. Even their top two scorers in veteran guards David Collins and Laquincy Rideau are shooting less than 28 percent from deep. Another area the Bulls have struggled is taking care of the ball with more than double the turnovers than assists as they were fifth-worst in the nation.

TIP-INS

1. Every Bulls player that has recorded at least one turnover and/or assist has more giveaways than helpers.

2. Krutwig averages the third-most assists in the country of players listed as non-guards.

3. Colorado State and New Mexico State join South Florida and Loyola in the top of the bracket.

PREDICTION: Loyola 72, South Florida 66