Read on Adobe SlateALL-TIME SERIES AGAINST ROCKFORDLoras holds a 8-4 record against the Regents in a series dating back to the 1976-1977 season. The Duhawks have come away victorious in two of the last three meetings since the series has been revisited.
LAST MEETING VERSUS ROCKFORDThe Duhawks prevailed in 2014, defeating Rockford by a final score of 88-85. Junior
Justin VanWambeke led Loras with 21 points, largely due in part to his 13-of-15 shooting from the free-throw line. VanWambeke also hauled in seven rebounds which ranked second on the team. The Regents were led offensively by Ross Arteaga who matched VanWambeke's 21 points.
SCOUTING THE REGENTSRockford enters Tuesday's action with a 2-1 record, following wins over Eureka and Luther College. The Regents defeated Duhawk opponent Eureka College by a final score of 100-77 before trouncing Iowa Conference foe Luther by a final of 88-68. It's clear that Rockford stacks up well with opponents Loras will see later in the year, making this a good test for both sides. As a team the Regents have shot 50 percent from the floor, but three players will be key for Rockford. Through three games Michael Murray, Zach Wallace, and John O'Bryan have each averaged double-digit's in scoring. Murray, a guard, leads the team with 20.3 points per game on 67.6 percent shooting, including 50 percent from beyond the arc. The senior is also Rockford's leading rebounder with 12.3 rebounds per game.
ALL-TIME SERIES AGAINST EUREKAThe Duhawks are 1-0 all-time against the Red Devils, with their first match-up coming in the 2013-2014 season.
LAST MEETING VERSUS EUREKALoras last faced Eureka two years ago during the non-conference season. The Duhawks came away victorious, 85-57. Four different Duhawks scored in double-digits with
Aaron Schueller leading the charge. Schueller completed 6-of-10 attempts for 16 points, a game-high. Current senior
Mirko Grcic scored 11 points of 5-of-8 shooting.
SCOUTING THE RED DEVILSEureka has played a rigorous schedule thus far in 2015, having already played in five games. The Red Devils hold a 1-4 record entering into Saturday's game with Loras. Eureka's lone win came against Emmaus Bible by a final score of 100-75. As a team the Red Devils are shooting just 38 percent from the floor, alongside 29 percent from deep. On average Eureka has been defeated by 21.8 points in each of their losses, with opponents scoring 92 points per game against them. Overall, the Red Devils have also been out rebounded by an average of 11.2 rebounds per game and outscored by 109 total points.
WEEK ONE IN REVIEWLoras currently stands at 2-1, winning two close games and losing a very close game in the second half to Principia. In the first two games of the season, Loras has held the lead going into halftime. Their third game was very different in that the Duhawks went to the locker room trailing by a score of 34-28. Despite this deficit, Loras came back and won the game by putting up 39 points in the second half to surpass the Gorloks of Webster University. In order for the Duhawks to earn their third win of the season they'll have to go through Rockford University who is currently averaging 85 points per game, as opposed to the Duhawks who are averaging just 69.3 points per game.
GRCIC STARTING STRONGWith double-doubles in each of the teams first three games, senior
Mirko Grcic has now registered a double-double in four consecutive games dating back to last seasons conference finale against Simpson. It's hard to imagine the senior having a better start to the season, leading the Duhawks in points and rebounds. Grcic has been a dominant force in the paint through crashing the glass and posting up opposing teams forwards. Alongside his stellar play, Grcic has showcased how to succeed in head coach
Greg Gorton's system. Grcic has averaged 21 points and 12.7 rebounds per game so far this season.
PHYSICALITY KEY TO DUHAWKS' SUCCESSThis season Loras has found success by drawing fouls from opposing defenders. So far, the Duhawks have gone to the free-throw line 61 times in three games. With this key part of their game-plan already established, Loras must work on converting those chances, having made just 52.5 percent of their free-throws this season. The Duhawks are more than capable of outscoring their opponents in many aspects of the game and once they find their stride from the charity stripe opposing teams will be on notice.
FRESHMAN MAKING IMMEDIATE IMPACTWhile senior
Mirko Grcic has dominated thus far in his final campaign, the Duhawks have also found ways to balance having 11 varsity newcomers. Four freshman have seen substantial amount of action in all three games played thus far this season. Freshman
Ryan DiCanio is leading the young pack with two-starts and 89 minutes in the 2015 season. DiCanio is currently tied for the team lead in three-pointers this season with nine. Fellow freshman
Demond George,
Michael Mims, and
Austin Rix have all seen at least 52 minutes, allowing for some pressure to be relieved from their returners. George has been most impressive due to his ability to score with efficiency. This season George has averaged 11.7 points per game on 48 percent shooting.
JACK OF ALL TRADESThis season junior
Justin VanWambeke has been a jack of all trade for the Duhawks, contributing in all facets of the game. Not only is VanWambeke a stalwart on defense, but he contributes in each aspect of the offense. While he isn't asked to score 20 points every night. It's the little things VanWambeke does that makes this offense go. Despite a slow start shooting wise, the junior is still averaging 10.7 points per game alongside a team-high 5.0 assists per. Not only is he effective running the offense, but he's able to crash the boards like a forward. Standing at a flat 6-0, VanWambeke has hauled in an average of 6.7 rebounds per game which ranks second on the team behind Grcic's 12.7.
