GAME NOTES: The Rider Broncs will hit the road as they take on the Loyola- Chicago Ramblers at Gentile Arena, in first-round action of the 2015 College Basketball Invitational.

It has been a long time coming for Loyola Chicago, which will compete in its first postseason tournament since making a run to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 1985. Porter Moser's Ramblers picked up 19 wins this season, their most since the 2006-07 campaign. The team finished 8-10 in the Missouri Valley Conference and lost to Northern Iowa in the MVC Tournament's semifinal round (63-49).

Kevin Baggett's Broncs had a stellar season in the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference, finishing with a 15-5 league mark and a 21-11 overall record. Rider was second in the MAAC, but was upset in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament. This marks Rider's second appearance in this event, dropping a 68-65 decision to Old Dominion in the 2008 CBI.

These two teams have met just two previous times, with Loyola claiming victory in both matchups. The last one however, was back in 1989.

The Broncs are solid at both ends of the floor, averaging a decent 65.4 ppg on .439 shooting, while limiting opponents to just 63.8 ppg. The team has also done a nice job in terms of forcing turnovers -- 14.2 per game.

Senior center Matt Lopez proved to be one of the better frontcourt performers in the MAAC and had a strong season, shooting an impressive .584 from the floor (14th nationally), while pacing Rider in both scoring (12-3 ppg) and rebounding (7.7 rpg), en route to All-MAAC First-Team honors. However, a knee injury suffered in late February has left the 7-footer on the bench since then. Junior guard Teddy Okereafor (Second-Team All-MAAC) and sophomore guard Jimmie Taylor provide scoring depth and also boast of double-digit scoring averages with 11.2 and 10.6 ppg, respectively. They will really need to step up in the postseason without Lopez under the basket. Also look for MAAC Sixth Man of the Year Zedric Sadler (7.7 ppg) to play a big role.

The Ramblers have proved to be deliberate in their offensive attack this season. Loyola doesn't put up flashy numbers at a modest 62.0 ppg, but the team does it with great efficiency, shooting a hefty .470 from the floor, including .394 from behind the arc.

Christian Thomas is a big reason for Loyola's strong season in terms of efficient play. The 6-5 senior is shooting an impressive .560 from the floor entering this event and tops the team in scoring at 11.5 ppg. Sophomore guard Milton Doyle is next in line at 11.0 ppg, followed by junior forward Montel James and his 9.3 ppg. Rebounding has been challenge for Loyola this season, averaging just 28.8 caroms per contest, which ranks 341st out of 345 Division I programs.

If Lopez were active, the Broncs would have a distinct advantage on the boards, but his absence should help alleviate a glaring weakness in Loyola's game. Expect the Ramblers to be pumped up at home and sneak by Rider in this one.