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News & Gossip 1/26/04

by John C. Thomas
Age of Aquarius -- Four members of the men’s basketball team have birthdays in the next week. Terrance Whiters turns 21 on Tuesday the 27th, the Smith twins turn 21 on Thursday the 29th, and Coach Farmer turns 53 on January 31.

The Joe at the Century Mark-- The January 22 game against UW-Green Bay was the 100th men’s basketball game at the Gentile Center. Coming into this season, Loyola had the 161st best home court record in the country, winning 68.8% of its home games. The 2-5 mark so far this year has cut into that percentage. After 100 games at the Joe, Loyola is 66-34.

Loyola’s best seasons at the Joe were 1997-98 and 2001-02 when the Ramblers were 11-2. The worst season at home was 1998-99, when the Ramblers won 5 games and lost 7.

Horizon League (and MCC) at 25-- This is the 25th season of the MCC/Horizon League. Here’s my nomination for the best five players in league history:

Alfredrick Hughes, Loyola, 1981-85 His 2914 points are the ninth best in the history of Division I college hoops, and he also got 982 rebounds-- good for fifth in league history. Won or shared Player of the Year for three consecutive seasons (1982-83, 1983-84, 1984-85).

Brian Grant, Xavier, 1990-94 Player of the Year two consecutive seasons (1992-93 and 1993-94). Third in league history in rebounds (1080), and fifth in career shooting percentage (.594). Highest ever NBA draft pick (8th overall) in league history.

Anthony Bonner, St. Louis, 1986-90 Holds league record for career rebounds (1424) and ranks ninth in career points (1972).

Tyrone Hill, Xavier, 1986-90 One of two players in league history with more than 2,000 points (2003) and 1,000 rebounds (1380). Player of the Year in 1990, leading Xavier to the Sweet 16.

Rashad Phillips, Detroit, 1997-01 Player of the Year in 1999-00 and 2000-01. Fourth all time in scoring (2319) and first in career three pointers (348).

Honorable mention: Mark Acres, Oral Roberts, 1981-85; David Bailey, Loyola, 1999-03; Keith Gailes, Loyola, 1988-91; Byron Larkin, Xavier, 1984-88; Chad Tucker, Butler, 1983-88.

Famous Losing Streaks of the Past-- Loyola’s current losing streak of six headed into the game against UIC is nothing. The longest losing streak in the Larry Farmer era at Loyola is eight games, seven of them to end the 2000-01 season and the first game of the 2001-02 season. From 1999 to 2001, the Ramblers had a 25-game road losing streak that included losses at Eastern Kentucky, Stephen F. Austin, and Chicago State. The granddaddy of them all was a 14-game losing streak in the middle of the 1939-40 season that was so bad I didn’t even bother to show up at any of those games.

Making matters worse and adding to the confusion, Loyola College in Baltimore currently has a 31-game losing streak going, only three losses away from topping the all time record of 33 by Grambling. Wow. Maybe there is something to the claim that the Jesuits don't want to win.

Men’s Volleyball-- The men’s volleyball team is off to a Jekyl and Hyde start under first year Head Coach Shane Davis. After sweeping #7 Penn State and playing well against #1 Pepperdine at a neutral site, the Ramblers were upset by Missouri Baptist 3-2 at Alumni Gym. The Ramblers are now 3-2 on the season.

Loyola’s next match is coming up Saturday afternoon, January 31, at 4:00 p.m. in Alumni Gym-- just over an hour after the conclusion of the men’s basketball game versus Detroit. Come for the basketball, stay for the volleyball….