Men's Basketball Preview - Part 9: Loyola
Nov. 9, 2006
With all but one player returning from a team that finished 19-11, the best mark since 1984-85, optimism is at its highest point in decades as Loyola University Chicago looks toward the 2006-07 season. Under the guidance of head coach Jim Whitesell, the Ramblers have undergone a revitalization in just two short seasons as Loyola has improved by 10 games in that span.
"This is the most experience we have had back since I have been here," Whitesell said. "The Horizon League will be very balanced this year, as there are a lot of underclassmen returning. We have a good nucleus of players back and are very excited about our new recruits. They have a great chance of playing as freshmen."
A major part of the optimism stems from the return of Honorable Mention All-America and First Team All-Horizon League guard Blake Schilb. The versatile 6-foot-7 senior tested the waters by participating in the NBA predraft camp over the summer, but opted to return for his final season. A serious contender for Horizon League Player of the Year honors, Schilb posted 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game as a junior and climbed to 15th place on the Loyola career scoring chart with 1,351 points. He showcased his versatility by recording over 400 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists for the second straight year last season.
"Blake has improved as a player the last few years and we hope he makes the same jump again this season," Whitesell said. "He needs to work on some little things to become a better all-around player. He should be a preseason player of the year candidate in the league, which is exciting both for him and our program."
Schilb isn't the only weapon on this talented squad, however. Also returning in the backcourt is senior guard Majak Kou. The slender 6-foot-5 defensive stalwart can also put the ball in the basket, as evidenced by his 12.8 ppg average a year ago. Kou ranked among the top five in the Horizon League in both steals (1.6 spg) and blocked shots (1.5 bpg) and also pulled down 4.7 rpg en route to Horizon League All-Defensive Team accolades. A player who can take the ball to the basket and shoot the three, Kou has improved his shot selection, which in turn, has aided his scoring average.
"Majak has made a lot of strides defensively and seems to have made the adjustment to being a starter," Whitesell said. "He gives us some nice length on the floor."
A pair of sophomores who burst onto the scene a year ago return and both have their eyes on spots in the starting lineup. Guard J.R. Blount, who started 22 contests a year ago, despite missing six games with a foot injury, averaged 11.3 ppg and is fully recovered from the injury. He should assume a starting role again this season and with his penetrating and shooting ability, should lighten the scoring load on Schilb and Kou.
Forward Leon Young, who is also Blount's roommate, tallied 10.4 ppg and a team-best 7.2 rpg a year ago, while also leading the Horizon League with a .837 free-throw percentage. The 6-foot-6 Young, who idolizes Charles Barkley, has a game that resembles that of the legendary NBA star. A tenacious rebounder who has a nose for the ball, Young recorded five double-doubles a year ago and teamed with Blount to become the first true-freshman duo in Loyola history to average double figures in scoring.
A host of other veteran returnees should vie for a spot in the starting lineup in the frontcourt. Seniors Brandon Woods and Kye Pattrick, along with junior Tom Levin, will be key contributors in the frontcourt after all three battled injuries in 2005-06. All three enter the 2006-07 campaign fully recovered from last season's ailments.
The 6-foot-8 Woods missed the first seven games of the year after rehabbing from knee surgery but showed flashes of brilliance upon his return. He scored a season-high 16 points in the Ramblers' victory over Detroit at the Horizon League Championship last season and finished the year with 4.3 ppg and 2.0 rpg. Pattrick, who battled knee problems all year, was plagued by inconsistency, but also showed signs of being a solid contributor. The 6-foot-9 Australian swatted 22 shots and hauled in 2.1 rpg in his first season of Division I basketball. Levin, who started the first 20 games of the season, began the year in fine fashion at both ends of the floor before injuries took a toll. The steady forward chipped in 3.2 ppg and 3.0 rpg last season.
Junior forward Tracy Robinson is versatile like Schilb in that he is able to play on the perimeter and handle the ball, despite his 6-foot-7 frame. After playing sparingly as a freshman, Robinson saw a substantial increase in playing time a year ago and wound up as the team's top three-point shooter, connecting on 47 percent (15 for 32) of his attempts from beyond the arc. Fellow junior Dave Telander, who started 19 games as a freshman, provides depth and a perimeter-shooting threat from the backcourt, while forward Darrin Williams looks to continue to develop and recover from multiple knee surgeries that have plagued him in his career. Telander and Williams both were impressive in Loyola's summer trip to Central America as the entire squad sharpened its skills, experienced new cultures and formed a strong team bond.
A pair of newcomers has the ability to step in and contribute right away, highlighted by highly touted freshman forward Andy Polka. The bruising, 6-foot-7 Polka, who averaged 4.6 ppg and 6.6 rpg for the United States at the Global Games this summer, led Oshkosh West High School to an undefeated season and the Wisconsin state title last season, en route to Mr. Basketball honors. The skilled power forward contributed 14.9 ppg and 11.2 rpg as a senior last season at Oshkosh West. Junior college transfer Cortney Horton will look to step in and fill the shoes of the departed Chris Logan. Horton tallied 13.1 ppg and 5.1 rpg a year ago at Southeastern Community College in Iowa.
Redshirt freshman Matt Adler, who stands 6-foot-11, is a wildcard in the mix since his status is uncertain following off-season knee surgery. Adler is an adept shot blocker and because of his size provides an intimidating presence in the paint.
"We need to improve defensively and our depth needs to improve," Whitesell said. "We will have more competition in the perimeter than we had last year. The trip to Costa Rica gave us a chance to play some guys some minutes and gave us an opportunity to get better with what we do as a group."
With all the optimism comes expectations, something that Whitesell does not feel is a deterrent for this team.
"It's good to have expectations, but expectations don't mean anything," Whitesell said. "Our guys know the Horizon League is a tough conference and they understand that each game is important. The expectations are good because they increase awareness of our program, but our guys know they better work hard because people will be ready to play you each night."
The Ramblers will have a chance to compete against some quality competition this season, as they host Northern Iowa, Saint Louis, San Diego and UC Irvine, among others, while traveling to Purdue, Bradley and the BCA Classic hosted by Ohio State. Loyola will jump into Horizon League action early, when it faces a UW-Green Bay team expected to finish among the top three in the circuit, the first week in December. That game should provide the Ramblers a good barometer of where they stand early in the year.
