Ramblers Still Chasing

(St. Louis, MO) – Despite national rankings, a Final Four run and international headlines, the Loyola Ramblers are still chasing a high level dream. The Missouri Valley Conference champions finished 32-6, attracted media attention from every known media outlet but Porter Moser’s team wants to accomplish more.

The Loyola core includes reigning ‘Larry Bird – Player of the Year‘ Clayton Custer, ‘Freshman of the Year’ Cameron Krutwig, senior Marques Townes and emerging sophomore Lucas Williamson. Despite the graduation of Ben Richardson, Donte Richardson and Aundre Jackson there are high expectations surrounding the program.

Loyola’s team-first approach led to a .507 shooting percentage, five players averaging double figures in scoring and a league leading 15.6 assists per game. The big question surrounding this year’s team is whether the Ramblers can find the same passion and precision that drove them to the Final Four.

Custer says this year’s Rambler team has adopted the motto that they are ‘still chasing’.

 

 

Townes did a little bit of everything last year. He started all 38 Rambler games and finished second in scoring (11.1 points per game) and steals while finishing third in assists (92) and rebounds (4.0 per game). The red-shirt senior is joining with Custer to provide leadership to this year’s team.

When questioned about ‘Final Four Hangover’, the energetic head coach says his team has had a great summer of conditioning and training for the task ahead. While Custer talks about the team still chasing, Moser discusses ‘winning the now’.

 

 

New Ingredients

No team can stand still and Loyola hasn’t. With the Valley’s second best recruiting class (verbal recruits.com) the Ramblers are reloading well. Red-shirt sophomore Aher Uguak and freshman Franklin Agunanne bring added depth and size the Loyola front court.

Uguak was the top ranked player in Alberta before signing with New Mexico. The 6’7 forward appeared in 19 games for New Mexico before transferring to Loyola. The 6’9 Agunanne hails from Nigeria and is rated a 4-star recruit by ESPN and received 3.5 stars from Verbal Commits.

Another three-star recipient is 6’3 guard Cooper Kaifes. The Shawnee, Kansas native is an elite level shooter and a two-time Kansas all-state performer.

Custer’s favorite moment from last year’s run was winning the Elite Eight game. He says the new players are doing a good job of fitting into Loyola’s ‘team first’ culture.

 

 

Loyola was highly successful using a four-guard lineup. Uguak and Agunanne give the Ramblers the ability to add ‘playing big’ to their arsenal. Moser says Agunanne will also help Krutwig by giving the 6’9 sophomore some practice competition.

 

 

Illinois State, Southern Illinois and Bradley all believe they have legitimate chances to win the Missouri Valley Conference title. Valley fans shouldn’t forget the reigning champions because they are still chasing.

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