Key Highlights
- Dayton Flyers’ Jaiun Simon received a massage gun and family time for Christmas.
- The team faces Loyola Chicago in their 15th game of the season at Gentile Arena on Saturday, January 28, 2024.
- Loyola Chicago finished 25-12 overall and 12-6 in the A-10 last season but started 3-9 this year before turning around their fortunes.
- Dayton has a series lead of 36-17 over Loyola, with three recent matchups between the teams.
Injury Updates and Team Adjustments
Dayton Flyers head coach Anthony Grant discussed the adjustments his team had to make in response to the injuries of Amaël L’Etang and Malcolm Thomas. The team played a small lineup with 6-foot-9 forward Jacob Conner providing most size, emphasizing the versatility of their skill sets.
Opponent Analysis: Loyola Chicago
Loyola Chicago enters the game after a recent turn-around in form. They finished last season at 12-6 in the A-10 and reached the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament. The team boasts several key players, including Justin Moore, who leads in scoring with 12.9 points per game.
Other notable contributors include Xavier Amos (12.8 points per game), Miles Rubin (11.1 points and 6.4 rebounds), Kayde Dotson (10.2 points), and Deywilk Tavarez (10.3 points).
Recent Form and Season Summary
Loyola Chicago started the season poorly, losing seven games in a row before turning things around with wins against Santa Clara and Rhode Island. Despite these recent successes, they are still recovering from an 85-71 loss to San Francisco.
KenPom.com gives Dayton an 84% chance of winning this game, with a predicted score of 78-67. This matchup is categorized as a Quadrant 4 game for Dayton and a Quad 3 game for Loyola.
Prediction and Outlook
With the series history favoring Dayton (36-17) and recent performances from both teams, the focus will be on how Dayton’s small lineup handles the challenges posed by Loyola. The game is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday at Gentile Arena in Chicago.
Dayton (10-4, 1-0) vs. Loyola Chicago (5-9, 1-0)
The game is set to air on the CBS Sports Network and can be heard on 95.7-FM, 1290-AM.
This matchup will test Dayton’s resilience and adaptability in a crucial A-10 contest, with significant implications for both teams’ seasons. Stay tuned as the game unfolds!
