DePaul and Loyola set home-and-home series

As alluded to Monday in this space, Loyola and DePaul have signed a two-year deal to renew their long-held rivalry.

On Dec. 18, the Blue Demons and Ramblers will meet at Allstate Arena in the schools' first game since 2003. During the 2011-12 season, DePaul will visit the Gentile Center for its first game on Loyola's home floor since 1991.

In my view, it's a no-brainer series...yet it's a noble gesture by new DePaul coach Oliver Purnell. Loyola welcomes back its top six scorers and feature nine upperclassmen on their roster. Meanwhile, the Demons' top returning scorer is senior swingman Mike Stovall (7.0 ppg) and they're likely to have three freshmen and a lightly experienced sophomore in their regular rotation.

LW