CHICAGO (September 5, 2017) – The Loyola University Chicago men's basketball team will open Missouri Valley Conference play on December 22 at Missouri State according to the 2017-18 conference schedule released today.
 
A game against Evansville (Dec. 30) at Gentile Arena closes out the calendar year and the Ramblers open 2018 with a home game against Indiana State on January 3. From there, four of the next six contests will be played on the road, starting with a trip to UNI on January 7. A short midweek trip to Illinois State follows (Jan. 10) before Loyola returns home for games against in-state rivals Bradley (Jan. 13) and Southern Illinois (Jan. 17).
 
The Ramblers pay their first visit to new MVC member Valparaiso on January 21 and then head to Drake (Jan. 24) before wrapping up the month at home versus UNI (Jan. 28) and at Bradley (Jan. 31).
 
Loyola opens up the month of February by playing three of its first four games at home, starting with a match-up versus Missouri State on February 3. That contest will be followed up by a home game against Drake (Feb. 7) and the Ramblers will pay a visit to Indiana State (Feb. 10) before returning to Rogers Park to host Valparaiso on Valentine's Day (Feb. 14).
 
The final road trip of the regular season, to Evansville (Feb. 18) and Southern Illinois (Feb. 21) precedes the regular season finale versus Illinois State (Feb. 24) at Gentile Arena.
 
Loyola opens the 2017-18 season versus Wright State on November 10 and season tickets for the 100^th season of Rambler men's basketball are on sale now by calling (773) 508-WOLF or visiting LoyolaRamblers.com.
 
The complete 2017-18 schedule follows.
 
2017-18 Loyola Men's Basketball Schedule
Nov. 2 – Lewis (Exhibition)
Nov. 10 – Wright State
Nov. 12 – Eureka
Nov. 16 – at UMKC
Nov. 19 – Samford #
Nov. 21 – Mississippi Valley State #
Nov. 24 – vs. UNC Wilmington # (Savannah, Ga.)
Nov. 25 – vs. Kent State # (Savannah, Ga.)
Nov. 28 – at Boise State
Dec. 2 – UIC
Dec. 6 – at Florida
Dec. 9 – Norfolk State
Dec. 16 – at Milwaukee
Dec. 22 – at Missouri State *
Dec. 30 – Evansville *
Jan. 3 – Indiana State *
Jan. 7 – at UNI *
Jan. 10 – at Illinois State *
Jan. 13 – Bradley *
Jan. 17 – Southern Illinois *
Jan. 21 – at Valparaiso *
Jan. 24 – at Drake *
Jan. 28 – UNI *
Jan. 31 – at Bradley *
Feb. 3 – Missouri State *
Feb. 7 – Drake *
Feb. 10 – at Indiana State *
Feb. 14 – Valparaiso *
Feb. 18 – at Evansville *
Feb. 21 – at Southern Illinois *
Feb. 24 – Illinois State *
March 1-4 – at MVC Championship (St. Louis, Mo.)
 
# Savannah Invitational
* MVC game