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In a rematch of last year’s improbable Sweet 16 matchup, No. 5 Nevada heads to Illinois to take on Loyola Chicago as part of the MWC vs MVC Challenge on Tuesday night.
The game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN News. If you don’t have cable or can’t get to a TV, you can still watch a live stream of the game (or DVR it) on your computer, phone or streaming device by signing up for one of the following cable-free, live-TV streaming services:
In addition to a Netflix-like on-demand streaming library, Hulu also offers a bundle of 50-plus live TV channels, including ESPN News. You can sign up for “Hulu with Live TV” right here, and you can then watch a live stream of the game on your computer via the Hulu website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the Hulu app.
If you can’t watch live, “Hulu with Live TV” also comes with 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage (with the ability to upgrade to “Enhanced Cloud DVR,” which gives you 200 hours of DVR space and the ability to fast forward through commercials).
ESPN News is included in the “Sling Orange” plus “Sports Extra” channel bundle. You can sign up for a free 7-day trial of both right here, and you can then watch a live stream of the game on your computer via the Sling TV website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the Sling TV app.
If you can’t watch live, you can get 50 hours of cloud DVR storage as an additional add-on.
ESPN Platforms
Additionally, you can also watch a live stream of the game on your computer via ESPN.com, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app. You’ll need to log in to a cable provider to watch this way, but if you don’t have that, you can still sign up for one of the above options and then use your Hulu or Sling TV credentials to sign in and watch on the ESPN digital platforms.
Preview
When these teams met in the Sweet 16 in March, Loyola Chicago was able to continue its Cinderella run with a thrilling 69-68 victory in Atlanta.
Unfortunately for the Ramblers, they’re missing several key pieces from last year’s memorable Final Four squad. Donte Ingram, who averaged 11.0 points per game and hit the game-winner in the first round against Miami, is gone, as are Aundre Jackson and Ben Richardson.
Clayton Custer and Marques Townes, the team’s two leading scorers from a year ago, are continuing to lead the way as seniors, and underclassmen Cameron Krutwig and Lucas Williamson appear to have taken important steps forward, but it’s still been a tough start to the season for Porter Moser’s squad. With losses to Furman at home and Boston College on a neutral floor, they’re just 4-2.
Nevada, conversely, returned their top three scorers–seniors Caleb Martin, Jordan Caroline, Cody Martin–from last season and have added to the mix two high-impact transfers in Jazz Johnson and Tre’Shawn Thurman and a Top-20 recruit in Jordan Brown.
They entered the year with expectations of being even better than last year’s Sweet 16 team, and so far they’ve delivered. They’re 6-0 with an average margin of 22.3 points. They have four players averaging double-digit scoring, led by Caleb Martin’s 21.0 per contest, and they’re first in the nation in Ken Pomeroy’s adjusted offensive efficiency ratings.
It’s worth noting that their most difficult matchup thus far has been BYU at home, but Eric Musselman’s team will get a real telling test over the next three games: at Loyola Chicago (68th in Pomeroy’s rankings), at USC (57th) and against Arizona State (41st) on a neutral court.
Ultimately, these teams have taken steps in opposite directions since last season’s postseason meeting, and it looks like Nevada–who are seven-point road favorites–should get revenge in the rematch.
But if last year’s matchup was any indication, then the rematch should be a lot of fun no matter who ends up with the W.
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