Busting Brackets
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Missouri Valley Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2019-20 season

By TJ Miller

ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 4: Matt Hein #5 and Phil Fayne #10 of the Illinois State Redbirds defend against Cameron Krutwig #25 of the Loyola Ramblers during the Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at the Scottrade Center on March 4, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 4: Matt Hein #5 and Phil Fayne #10 of the Illinois State Redbirds defend against Cameron Krutwig #25 of the Loyola Ramblers during the Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at the Scottrade Center on March 4, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 24: Clayton Custer #13 and Marques Townes #5 of the Loyola Ramblers celebrate their teams in over the Kansas State Wildcats in the second half during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 24, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Loyola Ramblers defeated the Kansas State Wildcats 78-62. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 24: Clayton Custer #13 and Marques Townes #5 of the Loyola Ramblers celebrate their teams in over the Kansas State Wildcats in the second half during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 24, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Loyola Ramblers defeated the Kansas State Wildcats 78-62. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

4. Loyola

2018-19: 20-14, (12-6)

The Ramblers always knew they would be moving on without the graduating Marques Townes and Clayton Custer for this 2019-20 season. However, over the summer it was announced Cooper Kaifes would have surgery to repair a torn labrum, likely taking him out for the entirety the season. Kaifes was the Ramblers’ fifth-leading scorer last season as well as the team’s most reliable three-point shooter (46.5%). Still, there is reason to believe Loyola has a real shot to finish atop the MVC once again.

Junior Cameron Krutwig is the preseason Valley player of the year pick and is simply one of the most fundamental and reliable bigs in the country. Expect Krutwig to have another great season although MVC opponents are more likely to double him whenever possible which will force the Ramblers to have other options at the ready. Lucas Williamson struggled to stay healthy last season but appears to be healthy and ready to make a huge impact his junior year.

Though Krutwig and Williamson should give the Ramblers some reason for optimism, the Ramblers did lose to Division II University of Indianapolis in their exhibition game last week. I never react too strongly to exhibition or scrimmage results. Nevertheless, Loyola turned it over 17 times and never seemed to find its stride on offense. Until the Ramblers figure it out on that side, this group needs to lock it down defensively if it wants to be in position to win the Missouri Valley.