Loyola Chicago Faces Kent State in NIT Quarterfinal Showdown

CHICAGO, IL — The 2025 NIT quarterfinals heat up tonight as the Loyola Chicago Ramblers (24-11) host the Kent State Golden Flashes (24-11) at Gentile Arena, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Both teams, coming off successful runs in the tournament, look to secure a spot in the semifinals.

Loyola Chicago enters the matchup following a strong finish to the regular season, having won seven of its last eight games. Despite falling to top-seeded VCU in the Atlantic 10 Tournament semifinals, the Ramblers regained momentum with NIT victories over San Jose State and San Francisco. In their latest win, junior guard Jayden Dawson scored a career-high 35 points to lead his team past San Francisco.

Kent State’s road to the quarterfinals has been equally impressive. After their NCAA Tournament hopes were thwarted by Miami (OH) in the MAC Tournament semifinals, the Golden Flashes bounced back with decisive wins over St. Bonaventure and Stanford. Senior guard Jalen Sullinger, who scored 34 points against Stanford, has been instrumental in their recent success.

The Ramblers are currently favored by 5 points, according to the latest odds from SportsLine, with an over/under of 144.5 total points. Experts caution against underestimating Kent State, which boasts a strong defense and a potent offense that has scored over 70 points in 12 of its last 13 games.

“Both teams are defensively tough, but Kent State has found ways to exploit weaknesses in their opponents,” said sports analyst Dan Johnson. “Loyola needs to tighten its defense, especially in isolation situations, where they’ve struggled this season.”

Statistically, Loyola Chicago ranks among the top 100 teams nationally in effective field goal percentage. However, they face challenges with free-throw shooting, coming in at 67.4%, which places them outside the top 300 in the nation. This inconsistency at the charity stripe could prove costly against a Kent State squad that capitalizes on defensive rebounds and transitions.

Senior forward Delrecco Gillespie, who posted double-doubles in earlier NIT games, and junior guard VonCameron Davis are expected to be pivotal for Kent State as they seek to upset the favorites on their home court.

Looking ahead, the stakes are high for both programs. Should the Ramblers overcome Kent State, they would advance to the semifinals, bringing them closer to a coveted NIT championship. Conversely, a Kent State victory would showcase their resilience and potential as dark horses in the tournament.

As the two teams prepare for tip-off, anticipation builds among fans and analysts alike. Will the Ramblers defend their home court, or can the Golden Flashes continue their impressive tournament run? The stage is set for an exhilarating showdown in Chicago.