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Loyola Chicago Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Ramblers

By Harry Schroeder

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 21: Lucas Williamson #1 of the Loyola Chicago Ramblers celebrates a play against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 21, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 21: Lucas Williamson #1 of the Loyola Chicago Ramblers celebrates a play against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 21, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Loyola super-sub Marquise Kennedy (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Loyola super-sub Marquise Kennedy (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

The Ramblers’ Deep Bench

Ramblers’ bench may be the best in the nation.

LUC is loaded with veteran talent. Junior guard Marquise Kennedy is a two-time Missouri Valley all-bench team member. He was the 2020 ‘Sixth Man’ award winner and last season averaged 7.2 points per game while converting 49% of his field-goal attempts and 81% of his free throws. He is a master of the mid-range game and is lethal on the open floor.

Kennedy is explosive and extremely quick. Coming out of Brother Rice High School (Chicago) he was the sixth-ranked player in the state of Illinois. He didn’t start a Rambler game but often finishes them. He and Clemons are often interchangeable.

Senior Tate Hall was a third-team all Valley choice in 2020 and started LUC’s first 11 games last season, before being moved to a backup role. He averaged 6.5 points, is a capable defender and a legitimate three-point threat. Welch outscored Hutson last season (4.9 ppg) and could be a factor in the post.

Ivy League transfers Chris Knight (Dartmouth) and Ryan Schwieger (Princeton) bring proven scoring ability and more experience. Knight’s role might turn out to be like that of former Rambler Aundre Jackson, as an athletic and explosive, undersized inside presence. He led the Big Green in scoring (2020 – Ivy League did not play last season) at 14.8 points per game and tied for the rebounding lead with 6.4 caroms per contest.

Both players are 6’7 and Schwieger will be used more on the wing. He averaged 10.7 points while converting 37% of his long-distance shots.

Two wild-cards are freshman Saint Thomas and Indiana transfer Damezi Anderson. Thomas is a three-star recruit and all-stater from Nebraska who averaged over 20 points during his senior season. The 6’7 Andersson was a four-star performer from South Bend, Indiana. He spent some time with the Hoosier program before transferring to Loyola. He never got untracked last season and played in just five LUC games. He could surprise.