The Huskies are back—back above the 500 mark (8-7) after Friday’s 68-59 victory over Valparaiso, and back at home, where Molinari’s crew hopes to improve its 7-1 record at Chick Evans Field House. Tonight’s opponent is Loyola University at 7:05 p.m.

The Ramblers have gotten off to a slow start for first-year coach Will Rey, bringing a 4-10 mark into tonight’s game. The Huskies come into the contest with their first road victory of the season over Valparaiso. The Ramblers are looking to regroup after losing their last outing, 71-54 against the Bradley Braves.

Loyola is led by the dynamic duo of junior guard Keith Gailes, the third leading sophomore scorer in the country last season, and six-foot-four forward Keir Rogers. Rogers is averaging 14.8 points and 9 rebounds for the Ramblers and leads the Midwestern Collegiate Conference in steals.

Coach Jim Molinari is wary of the Ramblers despite their poor record. “They’re a good team. What’s deceiving is that they’ve played a tough schedule. Rogers and Gailes are good, solid players.”

Loyola this season has already squared off against opposition such as Marquette, Xavier, Dayton and DePaul. In the last meeting between the squads, the Ramblers came away with a 100-94 home-court victory at the end of last season.

Huskie fans will be able to see the team for the first time since the beginning of the new semester. NIU lost its first game of the year at home in their last field house outing, 63-62 against Northern Iowa.

The game will be televised on SportsChannel on a tape delayed basis at 10 p.m.

Donnell Thomas continues to be the Huskies’ workhorse. “D-Train” averages 18 points per game and brings in seven boards per game.