Loyola Chicago Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Ramblers
Projected starting lineup
This is the deepest team in the Valley. All last season Moser maintained he had seven starters. Krutwig is gone, but LUC now has nine or ten that would start for most teams. This squad is old and talented. Deciding who starts and who ‘sparks off the bench’ may be Valentine’s biggest early-season decision.
Lucas Williamson – Guard
Williamson is the ‘Last Man Standing’ from the 2018 Final Four team. The Valley’s defending ‘Defensive Player of the Year’ was a second-teamer in the MVC’s all-conference honors. He averaged 8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and three assists per game and is the emotional leader of this team.
No player is more important to this edition of Rambler basketball than Williamson. He hits big shots, leads by example, locks down the opponent’s best player, and fires up his teammates. Williamson and Krutwig were roommates and carried the leadership mantel the past two seasons.
Braden Norris – Point Guard
Norris is a name to remember. He may well be the Valley’s ‘breakout’ player of the year. He was content to facilitate and fit into ‘Krutwig’s team’, but with ‘King Krut’ playing professionally Norris may assert himself more this season.
He averaged 8.5 points (no Rambler besides Krutwig averaged double-digit scoring) and ran the LUC offense. During the league tournament and March Madness, he stepped up in crunch time and was at times the team’s best postseason player. The 6’ junior scored 20 points against Drake in the MVC Tournament final and 16 in an NCAA Tournament opening-round win over Georgia Tech.
Aher Uguak – Forward
Uguak is another elite defender and redshirted the 2018 Final Four season. While being named to the Valley’s all-most improved team he averaged 7.3 points and 3.9 rebounds. An athletic 6’7 forward, he is often tasked with shutting down the best frontcourt opponent.
His electric dunking ability stirs up the Gentile Arena faithful and his tenacious defense rubs off on his teammates. He specializes on scoring around the basket and finishes 62% of his shots.
Keith Clemons – Guard
Clemons is a scorer and may have more of a chance to do that this season. While averaging 7.5 points per game the 6’1 guard made 45% of his two-point attempts and 44% from deep. Clemons is a winner. His high school team won a state championship and his junior college team won the national championship.
Jacob Hutson – Center
The least known Loyola starter is center Jacob Hutson. The 6’10 sophomore didn’t play very much early in the season. Tom Welch was Krutwig’s primary backup. As the season wore on Hutson supplanted the 6’8 Welch as Krutwig’s most typical replacement.
His numbers are not impressive (3.2 points and 1.2 rebounds) but he gave the Ramblers great energy, reliable defense, and occasional offense. He tossed in 13 points in the opening round of Arch Madness. Look for Welch to receive extended playing time in the post as well.