March Madness

Drake, Loyola-Chicago Meet in MVC Finals

ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 06: Loyola guard Braden Norris (4) drives against Indiana State guard Cam Bacote (0)  during a Missouri Valley Conference Tournament game between the Loyola Ramblers and the Indiana State Sycamores on March 06, 2021, at Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Mo. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images),

Drake (25-3, 16-3) vs. Loyola of Chicago (23-4, 18-2)

Missouri Valley Conference Tourney Championship, Enterprise Center, St. Louis; Sunday, 2 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Drake and Loyola of Chicago are prepared to match up in the Championship of the MVC tournament. The teams split the regular season series at one win apiece. The teams last met on Feb. 14, when the Bulldogs created 19 Loyola of Chicago turnovers and turned the ball over just eight times en route to the 51-50 victory.

BIG MEN ON CAMPUS: Cameron Krutwig has averaged 14.8 points and 6.7 rebounds to lead the way for the Ramblers. Lucas Williamson has paired with Krutwig and is putting up 8.3 points per game. The Bulldogs have been led by Tremell Murphy, who is averaging 9.9 points and 5.2 rebounds.MIGHTY MURPHY: Murphy has connected on 37.2 percent of the 94 3-pointers he's attempted and has made 4 of 15 over the last five games. He's also made 69.6 percent of his foul shots this season.

UNDEFEATED WHEN: Drake is a perfect 23-0 when the team makes four or more 3-pointers. The Bulldogs are 2-3 when the team hits fewer than four threes.

LONG-RANGE THREAT: Drake's D.J. Wilkins has attempted 151 3-pointers and connected on 41.1 percent of them, and is 13 for 32 over the last five games.

TOUGH DEFENSE: Loyola of Chicago has held opposing teams to 55.2 points per game this season, the lowest figure among all Division I teams. The Ramblers have allowed just 52 points per game over their five-game winning streak.

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