Scouting Report: Loyola Chicago Ramblers

(Photo Credit: @Stevewphoto)

In one of the most anticipated games scheduled for this season, Loyola Chicago visits Indianapolis and plays the Hoosiers in a closed scrimmage this Sunday. Porter Moser’s Ramblers come off of historical a final four run where they finished 32-6. After just joining the Valley in the 2014-2015 season, Moser has the Ramblers as the preseason favorite to win the conference.

These “secret scrimmages” have been popularized in recent years for a number of reasons. Coaches are able to adjust the rules to specifically work on key areas for their teams. For example, the coaches could agree that no three-point shots would be allowed in the first quarter. Division I teams are not allowed to have exhibition games against other Division I teams, so competing with a high-level midwestern team would not even be possible as an exhibition. The contest also takes place in a secluded environment, without media and fans, and coaches do not have to worry about impacts to their final tournament resume.

While there are financial impacts to not hosting a ticketed game at Assembly Hall, Fred Glass and Archie Miller hope that this game could be made up with additional games added to the back end of the season.

Indiana will play Loyola Chicago in a secret scrimmage on Oct. 28 in Indianapolis, source told @WatchStadium. Can’t wait to see them try and keep @JeffRabjohns from breaking into Bankers Life. …

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) September 30, 2018

Loyola’s Last Season

Loyola was the Cinderella of the 2017-2018 season and reached final four for the first time in 55 years for its second total visit in program history. Taking down Miami, Tennessee, Nevada, and Kansas State before falling to a tough Michigan team has set up the team for strong expectations during the 2018-2019 campaign.

Meet the Ramblers

Departing Players:

• Donte Ingram – Arguably the biggest departure for Loyola Chicago. The 6’6″ senior graduated. He averaged 11.0 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game last year.
• Aundre Jackson – Contributed 11.0 points per game and 3.2 rebounds per game; however, he efficiently added to the box score averaging less than 19 minutes per game.
• Ben Richardson – The hero of the Kansas State game where he led all scorers at 23 points in 36 minutes. The 6’3″ guard from Kansas will be playing professionally overseas.
• Adarius Avery – Transferred to Central Oklahoma. The 6’5″ guard will look to get more playing time with a different program.
• Cameron Satterwhite – Transferred to Northern Arizona and moves closer to home. The 6’4″ Arizona native will not be with the Ramblers for his junior year.
• Other departures include Carson Shanks, Nick Dinardi,

Returning Players

• Clayton Custer – The 6’1″ guard returns as the undisputed leader of the team. The fifth year senior was named the MVC player of the year and also was awarded the Lou Henson Award (for the top mid-major player) after leading the team in scoring and assists.
• Marques Townes – The redshirt senior will be Custer’s backcourt partner. He was named in the preseason Missouri Valley second-team. A 6’4″ guard, he shot 51.4% from the field (38.7% from three). Fans remember Townes for draining the hero shot in the NCAA tournament game that sent the Ramblers to the Elite Eight.
• Cameron Krutwig – Sophomore Center standing at 6’9″, he averaged 10.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists per game. Named to Missouri Valley’s preseason second team for his skilled abilities as a big.
• Aher Uguak – The transfer from New Mexico will be debuting for Loyola Chicago this season and have three additional remaining years of eligibility. Porter Moser is already looking for unique ways to use Uguak and was responsible for Aher logging in the most minutes during the exhibition game.
• Lucas Williamson – Local star Lucas Williamson was a major rotation player for the Ramblers last year as he averaged over 20 minutes per game. The 6’4″ guard appeared in all 38 games.
• Bruno Skokna – Bruno also appeared in all 38 games. The 6’4″ native of Croatia will be looking to increase his usage during his junior season. He had a 47% field goal percentage.
• Other returners include: Christian Negron, Jake Baughman (W), Dylan Boehm (W)

Incoming Players

• Franklin Aguananne – Three-star 6’8″ Center from La Lumiere (IN) preparatory school. He will help to add size in the paint and will provide minutes behind Cameron Krutwig.
• Cooper Kaifes – Three-star 6’3″ shooting guard from Shawnee, KS. He led all freshmen in scoring and in minutes during the exhibition game with Winona State.
• Isaiah Bujdoso – Three-star 6’2″ point guard from Hamilton, ON. He has an opportunity to be a rotation player and learn from one of the best guards in the conference.
• Others incoming include: Will Alcock (W), Tate Hall (transferred from University of Indianapolis and will sit out the 2018 season)

One Game in the Books

Continuing the topic of exhibition games, Loyola won their first preseason game of the year 82-52 over Winona State. Loyola Chicago shot an impressive 53.8% FG and 37.5% behind the arc. They held Winona State to 52 points with 33.8% FG and 25.8% 3FG.

Clayton Custer dropped 16 points in only 22 minutes of play. Cameron Krutwig and Cooper Kaifes each logged 12 points each in 17 and 21 minutes respectively.

Worth noting, the Ramblers only turned over the ball 8 times and assisted on 22 FGs.

What to “Watch” For