CHICAGO (January 4, 2022) – After having its scheduled game at Illinois State postponed due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns within the Redbirds' program, Loyola University Chicago's (9-2, 1-0 MVC) men's basketball team will now play the University of San Francisco (13-1) in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 6 in a battle of two of the top programs in the country this season.
 
Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT (noon MT) and admission for the game at the Lifetime Activities Center-Bruin Arena on the campus of Salt Lake Community College is free. Broadcast details are still being determined. 
 
San Francisco, which has had its last two games postponed due to COVID concerns with its opponents, is off to a phenomenal start, having won 13 of its first 14 contests. The Dons own victories over Davidson (65-60), Arizona State (66-65) and Southern Illinois (64-52), all teams that appeared on the Ramblers' 2021-22 initial schedule.
 
Loyola has not played since December 10 when it took down Vanderbilt, 69-58, in Nashville for its third win over a power conference team this season. The Ramblers have seen their last five games – vs. Norfolk State (Dec. 19), at Davidson (Dec. 22), at Southern Illinois (Jan. 2), vs. Saint Xavier (Jan. 2) and at Illinois State (Jan. 5) - canceled or postponed due to COVID-19 concerns and will bring a five-game win streak into Thursday's matchup.
 
This will be the sixth all-time meeting between Loyola and San Francisco and the first since November 27, 2010, when the Ramblers squeaked out a 63-62 victory in the Bay Area. The teams have split the first six meetings in the all-time series.