Is Loyola the MVC’s Next Contender?

(St. Louis, MO) – Is Loyola, the ‘next big thing’ in the Missouri Valley Conference? Is Missouri State on the rise? After a one year hiccup, is Northern Iowa ready to challenge the Shockers? Will Illinois State put together back-to-back stellar seasons?

Let’s look at Loyola.

The Ramblers LOST an incredible player in Milton Doyle. His numbers are just stupid, his leadership was solid and his long term impact on the program will be significant. But what will the Ramblers look like next season?

They just might be the next contender to the Wichita State crown, and make no mistake, it is Wichita State’s crown.

Who Is Coming Back

There is an impressive group of returning players for Porter Moser’s staff to groom. Losing Doyle to graduation blows a big hole in the Rambler identity, but when you consider three returning players were double digit scorers, in returning in ‘Sixth Man of the Year’ Aundre Jackson (14.5 points per game), third team all-conference wing Donte Ingram (13.7 ppg) and Clayton Custer (11.6 ppg). Ingram and Custer are serious outside threats along with guard Ben Richardson. The three combined for 164 three pointers.

Freshmen Bruno Skokna and Cameron Satterwhite gained valuable experience on the 18-win team and each averaged over three points per game.

Perhaps the X-factor in the ‘returners’ is Matt Chastain. The 6’6 freshman was expected to be a major contributor in his first season in downtown Chicago, but the Leroy, Illinois native went down with a torn ACL in the 3rd game and took a medical red-shirt season. Coach Moser is extremely high on the one-time high school star.

Fresh Talent Coming In

Porter Moser is extremely excited about his newcomers, and he should be!

Let’s start with Marques Townes. The 6’4 junior transferred from Farleigh Dickinson where he averaged 9.1 points per game as a freshman and 11.5 in a starting role as a sophomore on an NCAA Tournament qualifying Knights team. No the Northeast Conference isn’t the Missouri Valley, but this is a player that has averaged double figures in scoring for two Division 1 seasons AND played in the national tournament. He has been with the Loyola team all season and knows the Rambler systems, plays and the culture.

If you are an adherent to the stars associated with recruits, the Ramblers have some other high level newcomers on the way. 6’6 power forward Christian Negron is a 220 pound, 3.3 star player from Larkin High School in Chicago who was ranked the top 120 nationally by Vebalcommits.com and in the top 100 by some of the other rating services. By-the-way, ESPN calls Negron a 4-star recruit.

Loyola as been a little short when it comes to big men and incoming freshman Cameron Krutwig should bring some needed size to the Rambler equation. Verbal Commits has the 6’9 250 pound (3 star) Algonquin, Illinois native listed as the 33^rd best center available.

Here’s how coach Moser described what lies ahead immediately after their MVC Tournament ending loss to Southern Illinois.

 

 

Continuing Culture

Moser is effusive about the culture that is being built in the Loyola basketball program. Bringing this once down trodden program back to relevance in the city of Chicago and in Division 1 basketball is a passion, which he exudes. He says the atmosphere around the program is vitally important.

“You know what else we’ve got? Culture! We’ve got a locker room that is motivated,” said Moser. “Culture takes time. It’s like building a house. The longest and hardest part is the foundation. Once you get that foundation set, the rest just goes up. You can’t underestimate culture.”

Moser told me they are still looking for one more player for next year’s recruiting class.

There are several teams that will be looked upon as contenders for the crown, and Loyola should be considered in that conversation.

Do Good