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Ramblermania MVP: Louis Smith

2/28/04
by John C. Thomas
The selection of a Most Valuable Player depends on a lot more than raw numbers. It is also affected by history, personality, maximizing one's abilities, and character. Just ask Albert Belle.

Although Paul McMillan is the statistically obvious choice for Most Valuable Player for the 2003-04 Loyola Ramblers, the old softies at Ramblermania are selecting Louis Smith as Most Valuable Player for this season.

It’s a close call. Paul McMillan had a great season as a junior and improved a bit as a senior. He was a preseason Horizon League First Team member, and the newcomer of the year as a junior.

Nevertheless, the Ramblermania staff believes that Louis Smith is most deserving. For three of his four years at Loyola, Louis was the second or third best defensive player on the team. This year, he was unquestionably the best defensive player on a team that seemed to think defense was an inconvenience.

In 2003-04, Louis led the Ramblers in blocks, steals, and games while contributing 6.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per contest. He was second in assists, and made the third fewest turnovers per minute on the team.

But more than that, Louis Smith’s effort both on and off the court was never questioned this season or throughout his four year career at Loyola. No one ever wondered whether he was playing for the name on the front or the back of his jersey. No one ever accused him of padding his stats, making selfish decisions, or not hustling. In four years, he never missed a game due to academics or discipline. And in four years, he never made a move on the court that could be considered anything but a positive reflection on the university.

Sadly, Louis is almost unique in that category at Loyola this year.

Through four years minus his last Horizon League Tournament, Louis scored 529 points, caught 272 rebounds, made 140 assists, blocked 79 shots, and made 92 steals. His numbers this year were career highs in every category.

Finally, it makes the old softies at Ramblermania feel good that Louis Smith not only gave his all on the court, but in the classroom. He’s scheduled to graduate on time in May.

In a season that was full of disappointment, about the only thing Ramblers fans could count on all year was that Louis Smith would play as hard as he could on both ends of the court. And that he would definitely be academically eligible for the next game. Louis made the most of his talents and his opportunity at Loyola, and that is what college basketball is really about.