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LOYOLA

The Loyola Ramblers struggled last season as most of the team was asked to fill new roles and assume new responsibilities.  The Ramblers fought hard all season long, losing five conference games by five or less, but could never seem to quite get it together. They suffered three different strings of three or more losses and put together just one stint of more than two consecutive wins.  Part of the problem was the many injuries the Ramblers played through for most of the season.  Another part was horrendous shooting.  The Ramblers finished ninth in the Horizon League in field goal percentage and tenth in three-point accuracy.  To put it into more perspective, the Ramblers ranked 312 of 328 teams in field goal percentage and only three teams in all of Division I shot worse from behind the three-point arc.

Just change the outcome of those five previously mentioned contests the Ramblers lost by five or less in conference and they would’ve finished 11-7 in the Horizon League and been just outside the top tier of the league.  And the pre-season talk would probably be focused on taking the next step into the top tier of the league rather than avoiding the predicted eighth place finish.

Looking to change the outcome of those close games and prove that last season was a stumbling stone rather than the norm, the Ramblers bring back all but one major contributor from last season.

Senior guard J.R. Blount is the lone Ramblers player garnering a pre-season mention, earning second team honors.  Blount struggled through some nagging injuries last season and also appeared to try and do too much at times as he assumed the team’s leadership role for the first time.  Despite that, Blount still led the team in scoring, assists and steals.  He will have to improve upon his poor shooting having hit just 23.7% of his three point attempts and 38.7% of his field goals.  Now Blount is finally healthy and as he goes so should the Ramblers.

Fellow senior Justin Cerasoli became eligible midway through the season and showed flashes of brilliance.  Unfortunately, he also struggled to stay within himself at times which led to some inconsistency.  Cerasoli averaged just under ten points a game and was the squad’s top three-point threat.  Cerasoli is often the most athletic player on the floor and has the ability to score from anywhere, if he can stay focused he has the potential to turn a lot of heads and give the Ramblers another go-to guy in must score situations.

The last two seniors on the squad are forwards Leon Young and Darrin Williams.  Young started his career with double-doubles in three of his first four games en route averages of better than ten points and seven rebounds.  Injuries and illness have plagued him since, but the undersized forward still managed better than ten points and five rebounds last season.  If he can stay healthy Young provides plenty of toughness and offense on the inside. 

Williams has had more work done in his body over the course of his career than the six million dollar man, but finally fulfilled some of his great promise last season.  Williams is now as healthy as he’s ever been and has the ability to produce much more than the 3.9 points and 2.6 rebounds he averaged a season ago.

Junior forwards Andy Polka and Ross Forman will both see extensive minutes for the Ramblers.  Polka was one of just two players to start all 31 games last season and he delivered just over eight points and nearly seven rebounds a contest, the latter being good for sixth in the conference. 

Forman started the season strong for the Ramblers hitting half of his three-point attempts in Loyola’s first three contests, and then he kind of faded away for most of the season.  Forman finally found his groove again toward the end of the year averaging better than 16 points and six rebounds over the Ramblers final three games.  Forman may have turned in the best performance of any Ramblers player last season when he went off for 28 points and 15 rebounds in a loss at Green Bay.  With any consistency Forman could be among the Horizon League’s most improved players.

Junior guard Aric Van Weelden saw 15 minutes a game last season in mostly a back-up role.  A gritty competitor, he may see his minutes decline this season with an influx of talented guards for the Ramblers.

A recruiting class of five players will also try and vie for some playing time along with a couple of sophomores who have shown some potential. 

Geoff McCammon was described as a diamond in the rough when he came to Loyola.  He showed a glimpse of what the future held at times, earning three starts and flashing some impressive athleticism.  If he’s finally adjusted to playing both ends of the floor in the collegiate game he could breakthrough this season for the Ramblers. 

Ryan Sterling saw just 20 minutes of action last season, but is considered as a long distance threat.

Among the five newcomers Courtney Stanley may be the most celebrated.  At one point he was a top 100 guard according to ESPN and was considered to have high major potential.  He is described as being a good shooter with solid presence at his position and not prone to making many mistakes. 

Junior college transfer Marcus Thomas was brought in to address the need for a three-point shooter.  He shot better than 37% from three at the juco level and launched more than half his shots from beyond the arc.  If he hits the three consistently head coach Jim Whitesell will be hard pressed to keep him off the floor.

Power forward Walt Gibler is a bruiser at 6’7” and 230 pounds.  He’s been described as a fierce competitor who has some decent low posts moves with good ability to draw contact.  Gibler is an excellent free-throw shooter as well and his range can go out to 20 feet. 

Freshman center John Benkoske continues the pipeline of recruits from Wisconsin’s Osh Kosh West high school. A solid 6’9” and 220 pounds Benkoske is described as a good shooter with good feet who should become a solid player.

Wing guard Jordan Hicks can play a couple of positions at 6’6” and 205 pounds.

The Ramblers have the experience with four starters and six of their top seven scorers returning.  However, they will have to play better defense as their scoring margin was seventh in the league last season.  Part of that is due to the Rambler’s awful shooting woes, which they will also have to improve to compete.  If everyone has finally settled into their roles and can stay healthy the Ramblers have the potential to play their way into the top tier of the Horizon League.

E-MAIL JOE