Ramblers look for first playoff bid in 21 years
BY CHRIS LENTINO
September 24, 2006 | 10:37 PM
In the past 5 years, Loyola University has made strides to regain their connection to a basketball greatness that reached its pinnacle in 1963.
The Ramblers' last season's 19-11 record was a great improvement over the teams' sub-500 effort in 2004-2005. So this year, hopes for a playoff bid loom large for the Ramblers as a new season approaches.
The Ramblers will look to make their NCAA tournament appearance since the 1985 campaign that concluded in the Sweet 16 with a loss to defending champion, Georgetown.
The team's increasing prowess has been noted by several national publications. CollegeHoopsNet.com, Lindy's, and Athlon Sports have all picked the Ramblers to finish first in the Horizon League this year. Loyola seems to be a hot pick and that is, in part, due to the return of four of five starters.
Senior Blake Schilb was named to the First Team All-Horizon team for the second straight year as he averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. This summer, it seemed like the Ramblers might lose their leader as Schilb participated in the NBA pre-draft camp in Orlando in June. After a nice showing, Schilb decided to return to the Ramblers for his senior season.
Senior Majak Kou joins Schilb in the backcourt. Kou earned Horizon League All-Defensive Team accolades last season while averaging 12.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.5 blocks. Seniors Brandon Woods and Kye Pattrick provide a strong presence under the basket, while Juniors Tracy Robinson and Tom Levin will provide depth coming off the bench.
It is clear that the Ramblers are not short on veteran leadership, but find themselves with plenty of youth. Sophomores J.R. Blount and Leon Young look to repeat their strong freshmen showings while freshman Andy Polka, Wisconsin's Mr. Basketball in 2006, and Ju-Co transfer Courtney Horton aim to make a big splash in their first year with the Ramblers.
The Ramblers season kicks off with Midnight Madness on October 13th, followed by several exhibition games. Their first test comes early in the season as they will travel to Columbus, OH to participate in the BCA Classic at Ohio State. The Ramblers will open the tournament with a game against Princeton. The format for this tournament has set up the potential for a second round meeting with perennial powerhouse, Ohio State. Hopes are high for the Ramblers this year and the big question remains: Can the Ramblers capitalize?
The Ramblers' last season's 19-11 record was a great improvement over the teams' sub-500 effort in 2004-2005. So this year, hopes for a playoff bid loom large for the Ramblers as a new season approaches.
The Ramblers will look to make their NCAA tournament appearance since the 1985 campaign that concluded in the Sweet 16 with a loss to defending champion, Georgetown.
The team's increasing prowess has been noted by several national publications. CollegeHoopsNet.com, Lindy's, and Athlon Sports have all picked the Ramblers to finish first in the Horizon League this year. Loyola seems to be a hot pick and that is, in part, due to the return of four of five starters.
Senior Blake Schilb was named to the First Team All-Horizon team for the second straight year as he averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. This summer, it seemed like the Ramblers might lose their leader as Schilb participated in the NBA pre-draft camp in Orlando in June. After a nice showing, Schilb decided to return to the Ramblers for his senior season.
Senior Majak Kou joins Schilb in the backcourt. Kou earned Horizon League All-Defensive Team accolades last season while averaging 12.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.5 blocks. Seniors Brandon Woods and Kye Pattrick provide a strong presence under the basket, while Juniors Tracy Robinson and Tom Levin will provide depth coming off the bench.
It is clear that the Ramblers are not short on veteran leadership, but find themselves with plenty of youth. Sophomores J.R. Blount and Leon Young look to repeat their strong freshmen showings while freshman Andy Polka, Wisconsin's Mr. Basketball in 2006, and Ju-Co transfer Courtney Horton aim to make a big splash in their first year with the Ramblers.
The Ramblers season kicks off with Midnight Madness on October 13th, followed by several exhibition games. Their first test comes early in the season as they will travel to Columbus, OH to participate in the BCA Classic at Ohio State. The Ramblers will open the tournament with a game against Princeton. The format for this tournament has set up the potential for a second round meeting with perennial powerhouse, Ohio State. Hopes are high for the Ramblers this year and the big question remains: Can the Ramblers capitalize?
MOST viewed
Copyright 2005-2008 PublicMedia, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation | 5412 N. Clark, Suite 218, Chicago, IL 60640 | 773.362.5002 | editors (at) chitowndailynews (dot) org
Comments
Please log in or register to post your comment.