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Loyola Chicago Women’s Volleyball Heads to NCAA Tournament, Faces louisville
Table of Contents
- 1. Loyola Chicago Women’s Volleyball Heads to NCAA Tournament, Faces louisville
- 2. Ramblers earn Atlantic 10 Automatic Bid
- 3. What impact could Braden Norris’s performance have on Loyola’s chances of covering the +7.5 point spread?
- 4. Loyola Faces No. 7 Louisville in Thrilling NCAA First Round Matchup
- 5. Game Details & How to Watch
- 6. Loyola Ramblers: Key Players & Season Overview
- 7. Louisville Cardinals: Championship Aspirations & scouting Report
- 8. Head-to-Head History & Recent Form
- 9. Matchup to Watch: Loyola’s Backcourt vs.Louisville’s Pressure Defense
- 10. Expert Predictions & Analysis
- 11. Potential Upset Factors for Loyola
Chicago, IL – Loyola Chicago Women’s Volleyball is set to clash with No.7 Louisville in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.The highly anticipated match will take place on Friday in Louisville, with the specific time still to be announced.
Ramblers earn Atlantic 10 Automatic Bid
The Ramblers secured their place in the tournament after a thrilling five-set victory over VCU in the Atlantic 10 Championship. This marks their second consecutive A-10 title and their third championship win in just four seasons. The team showcased extraordinary offensive prowess, with three players recording
What impact could Braden Norris’s performance have on Loyola’s chances of covering the +7.5 point spread?
Loyola Faces No. 7 Louisville in Thrilling NCAA First Round Matchup
Game Details & How to Watch
The Loyola Ramblers are set to clash with the No. 7 ranked Louisville Cardinals in a highly anticipated NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first-round showdown. This game promises intense action and is a must-watch for college basketball fans.
* Date: December 1, 2025
* Time: 7:10 PM EST
* Location: KFC yum! Center, Louisville, Kentucky
* TV Channel: CBS
* Live Streaming: Paramount+, CBS Sports App
* Betting Odds: Louisville -7.5,Over/Under 145.5 (as of November 30, 2025) – Odds subject to change.
Loyola Ramblers: Key Players & Season Overview
loyola enters the tournament as a strong mid-major contender. Thier success hinges on a balanced attack and disciplined defence.
* Key Player: Guard Braden Norris – Averaging 17.5 points and 5.2 assists per game, Norris is the offensive engine for the ramblers. His ability to create shots and distribute the ball will be crucial against Louisville’s pressure defense.
* strengths: Three-point shooting (37.8% as a team), rebounding, and a well-coached defensive system.
* Weaknesses: Interior scoring and size compared to power conference opponents.
* Record: 24-8 (12-4 in conference play)
* NCAA Tournament History: Loyola has a recent history of tournament success, notably their Cinderella run to the Final Four in 2018.This experience could prove valuable.
Louisville Cardinals: Championship Aspirations & scouting Report
Louisville, ranked No. 7 nationally, is a favorite to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Led by a dynamic roster and a veteran coach, the Cardinals boast both offensive firepower and defensive tenacity.
* Key Player: Forward Kyle Sturdivant – A versatile player averaging 19.8 points and 7.1 rebounds, Sturdivant is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. His ability to score inside and out makes him a primary focus for Loyola’s defensive strategy.
* Strengths: Offensive rebounding, transition offense, and a strong defensive presence in the paint.
* Weaknesses: occasional inconsistency from three-point range and susceptibility to turnovers.
* Record: 27-5 (15-3 in conference play)
* NCAA Tournament History: Louisville has a storied tournament history, with two national championships (1980, 1986) and numerous Final Four appearances.
Head-to-Head History & Recent Form
This is the first meeting between Loyola and Louisville in the NCAA Tournament. Historically, the two programs haven’t crossed paths frequently.
* Loyola’s Last 5 Games: Win, Win, Loss, Win, Win – Demonstrating strong momentum heading into the tournament.
* Louisville’s Last 5 Games: Win, Win, Win, Win, Loss – A minor stumble in their conference tournament final, but overall excellent form.
* Key Trend: Loyola has covered the spread in 70% of their games this season, while Louisville has covered in 65%.
Matchup to Watch: Loyola’s Backcourt vs.Louisville’s Pressure Defense
The key to this game will be Loyola’s ability to handle Louisville’s relentless defensive pressure. the Cardinals excel at forcing turnovers and disrupting opposing offenses.
* braden Norris’s Role: Norris must be poised and make smart decisions with the ball, avoiding costly turnovers.
* Loyola’s ball Movement: Effective ball movement and off-ball cuts will be essential to create open looks against Louisville’s aggressive defense.
* Louisville’s Defensive Strategy: Expect Louisville to employ a full-court press and double-team Norris whenever possible.
Expert Predictions & Analysis
Most analysts favor Louisville to win this matchup, citing their superior size, athleticism, and tournament experience. However,Loyola’s strong shooting and disciplined play could make this a closer-than-expected contest.
* ESPN’s BPI: Louisville has a 78.5% chance of winning.
* CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish: Predicts Louisville will win by 8 points.
* KenPom.com: Projects a Louisville victory with a score of 75-68.
Potential Upset Factors for Loyola
Despite being the underdog,Loyola has several factors that could lead to an upset:
* Three-Point Shooting: If Loyola can get hot from beyond the arc,they can quickly erase a deficit.
* Rebounding: Controlling the boards will be crucial to limit Louisville’s second-chance opportunities.
* Tournament Experience: Loyola’s players have been on the big stage before and may not be intimidated by the atmosphere.
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