UPDATE: Men’s Basketball Golf Outing & Reception--gosycamores.com
Mid-Major Mailbag: Beware Saint Louis, program climbs, the WCC’s rise and more--The Athletic
How would this season’s version of Loyola University Chicago compare to the Final Four team if they matched up? I believe they’re deeper but not sure if they have the same balance (and obviously, there’s no expectation they make a deep run in March Madness, looking more at competing with Northern Iowa for the MVC crown). — Brendan W.
Well, we know that both teams would have the same center in Cameron Krutwig. I’d take the senior season version of Krutwig over his freshman self when he was more of a complementary player, so that’s one advantage for this year’s team. (I guess you’d have to clone him and Lucas Williamson to have the two teams play, so let me know how that technology is going.) The 2020-21 Ramblers look like they will be deeper with more scoring options. But depth can be overrated, especially when you can keep dudes like Clayton Custer and Marques Townes on the floor as much as possible.
For me, it comes down to whether enough guys on this year’s team can make the kind of clutch plays that Custer and Townes and Co. became known for. The 2018 Final Four team was efficient in several areas, finishing 63rd in offense and 17th in defense at KenPom.com. Last season’s Ramblers were 159th and 72nd, respectively. Those numbers should improve with more experience, hopefully a full year of Keith Clemons and continued improvement of young players such as Marquise Kennedy and Paxson Wojcik. The outside shooting will be bolstered by Oakland transfer Braden Norris and Cooper Kaifes’ return from a hip injury that kept him out all last year.
Porter Moser most likely will start five seniors this season and have a potential conference player of the year in Krutwig, who runs the offense like a point-center. It’s closer than when I first read your question. Ultimately, I would have to side with the 2017-18 squad that proved itself in the biggest moments against one that has yet to take the floor. I’m not sure which team would have Sister Jean rooting for it.
Porter Moser’s Book – “All In”--Valley Hoops Insider
UNI grad Nick Nurse named NBA’s top coach--Northern Iowan
