Loyola Chicago at Purdue

Loyola, Chicago coach Jim Whitesell has done an excellent job. Not only have they won six straight on the road, dating back to last year, but they have won more games in the past three years than in any three-year span in over half a century. JR Blount the lone returnee has really picked it up, boosting his average from 11 points per game a year ago to 19 this year. Wyoming transfer Ross Forman has become a second scorer at 11.3-ppg while shooting over 60%. Leon Young was an experienced reserve last season, but has now become a double-digit contributor, as has Tracy Robinson. The Ramblers won 21 games last season and there is enough experience and good coaching to surprise. Purdue struggled last time out against Lipscomb, narrowly escaping with a four-point win. Gone is Carl Landry and David Teague, and in comes a very talented, but inexperienced recruiting class. They have yet to establish a go-to scorer, and don't possess the dominator inside off the glass. Youth is serving its apprenticeship, and the Boilermakers are going to have some barren stretches in games, as well as streaks. Loyola has enough to hang around in this one, so we will ride the points here.