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NCAA Basketball: 3 exciting mid-major programs to watch in 2021-22 season

By Cody Mitchell

JACKSONVILLE, FL - MARCH 20: The NCAA March Madness logo on the floor during the NCAA Basketball First round practice session at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on March 20, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - MARCH 20: The NCAA March Madness logo on the floor during the NCAA Basketball First round practice session at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on March 20, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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NCAA Basketball Loyola (Md) Greyhounds forward Santi Aldama Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball Loyola (Md) Greyhounds forward Santi Aldama Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Loyola Maryland Greyhounds

Loyola got off to a horrendous start, losers of 10 of their first 14 games. The season looked like it was doom and to be thrown away until an unexpected run to the Patriot League title game. The season just never really got going for the greyhounds, ravished by COVID and never really getting to play consistently killed any momentum they had built up from an overachieving season in 2019-2020.

Whether the team is near the top of the conference or not, Santi Aldama will be must-watch TV. The 6’11 for Spain is one of the most unique players nobody knows about in all of college basketball. Aldama averaged 21.2 points per game along with 10.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists. For being 6’11, Aldama has a variety of packages he uses to score the ball.

He can get to the basket outside the three-point line, post up in the paint, shoot it from the outside, and even started creating his own jump shots off the dribble. Aldama alone will keep the Hounds in every game they play this season and will make every game they play newsworthy for every college basketball junkie.

The Greyhounds second-leading scorer, Jaylin Andrews will also be returning to campus next season. Not a great outside shooter but he really compliments off of high ball screens and accelerates to the hole. If he can up his three-point percentage to over 30% he should raise his points to over 15 plus. Cam Spencer will be rejoining the team after missing all but five games last season. Deadly from the outside, shooting over 43% both of his seasons on campus.

With Aldama steering the ship (assuming he returns from the NBA Draft) and a few complementary players picking it up, Loyola MD will be battling it out for the Patriot League. Colgate has dominated the conference for the past decade and it will be a mighty tall task dethroning them. Nonetheless, I see Loyola MD grinding their way to a Patriot League title.

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