LUC Has the Right Ingredients
(St. Louis, MO) – Loyola is in the midst of an historic run in program history and they might be getting even better. The Ramblers have won a league high 73 games over the last three seasons (40 league games), two conference championships and one Final Four appearance. Many believe they have the right ingredients to win another Missouri Valley Conference title.
Coach Porter Moser returns all five starters and their top six scorers. Former beat writer Nick Schultz says newcomers are the perfect fit for some weaknesses found in last year’s team. While the Ramblers were winners of 21 games, the season did feel like a disappointment to LUC fans. They are getting used to winning Valley titles.
Veterans Cameron Krutwig and Lucas Williamson are now seniors. As freshmen, they played major roles on the 2018 Final Four team. Williamson is an elite defender, but struggled with a season-long outside shooting slump. This is clearly their team and Schultz (@NickSchultz_7) he expects big things out of Williamson.
While Krutwig has been outstanding, the senior center still has room for growth. The 6’9 lefty was the Valley’s 2018 ‘Freshman of the Year’ and is a two-time all league performer. During his three seasons in Rogers Park, he has amassed 1,384 points, 737 rebounds and an amazing 282 assists. Schultz says if Krutwig develops an expanded shooting range, he would be impossible to stop.
Returners Have Some Right Ingredients
Joining Krutwig and Williamson are last year’s starters Aher Uguak, Keith Clemons and Tate Hall. Uguak defends well, rebounds nicely and provides energy while Hall led the team (58) in three-point shooting. Clemons solidified the guard spot and can run the offense.
Cooper Kaifes returns after a year shelved by a hip injury. The 6’2 sharp shooter can be deadly from deep (.465% from deep his freshman season) and fills a glaring need. MVC ‘Sixth Man’ Marquise Kennedy is an explosive athlete and could grow into an all Valley player. Moser has seven returning players that could start for any Valley team.
Sophomores Paxon Wojcik and Tom Welch came to the program with outstanding credentials. Wojcik grew into his backup guard role near the end of the season and the two second-year players could play increased roles.
Newcomers Fill Some Gaps
Former Horizon League ‘all freshman’ team member Braden Norris is a major addition. While playing his freshman season at Oakland University, Norris was named the the Horizon’s all-freshman team. The 6′ guard shot better than 48% from deep and his assist-turnover ratio ranked in the nation’s top 25. He could slide nicely into a point guard role and his outside shooting ability is a bonus.
Two freshmen, Baylor Hebb and Jacob Hutson come to Chicago with the ability to add shooting (Hebb) and depth inside (Hutson).
Schultz says the newcomers have the right ingredients to contribute.
Moser’s Energy
The most important of the ‘right ingredients’ in this Loyola renaissance is the vision and energy of the head coach. Moser is relentless, tireless and genuinely wants to engage with everyone he meets. From gathering with incoming freshmen classes at LUC, to engaging with fans and even his work with the media, Moser is casting vision and building his program.
Schultz says Moser is consistently available and engaging.
With a solid returning core, talented newcomers and an elite level coach, the Ramblers seem to have the right ingredients to make another run at a Valley title and to do some NCAA Tournament damage.
Our entire interview with Nick Schultz can be found on all the typical podcast formats.
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Editor: Feature photo courtesy of loyolaramblers.com.
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Done like only you can @Frank_Cusumano. So perfect. Respectful. Hopeful. Personal. You've always been the best. @DanRolfes, you are in our prayers still today. Thanks for sharing.
As we said the 'closed' transfer portal keeps growing. Paperwork delays and/or no regard for deadlines. Over 2K in the portal now. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that. Just saying before you think your program won't have more players leaving, give it a minute to see
BTW, despite the portal being 'closed' you'll still hear about players entering it because sometimes paperwork is slow AND all they have to do is sue to be able to enter later.
Admittedly I am no recruiting expert, but I'm seeing these reports about which coaches have been crushing the portal. We'll know who did what when we see them play, but no one has been more active than @TSUTigersMBB's @coachpenny1. 6 D1's among the 9 he's signed.
