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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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(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

Some great challenges

Valentine isn’t ducking anyone. The rookie head coach has put his team in position to impress nationally or to get beat up prior to Missouri Valley play. After four very winnable early games, the Ramblers participate in the Battle 4 Atlantis where they will meet Michigan State (NET 76) and then either Auburn (66) or Connecticut (33) and then a third opponent.

Valentine played collegiately at Oakland (Michigan) and was an assistant under Tom Izzo at Michigan State.

Two of those ‘winnable’ games are with Chicago State and Illinois Chicago. Valentine and others in the program believe (and I agree) that playing the other Chicago schools is important to promote the college game in the Windy City.

UIC is coached by former Illinois State assistant Luke Yaklich.

When they return from the Bahamas they open the Valley season with Indiana State and then dive back into the deep water. They visit DePaul (167) in a Chicago-land rivalry game and then host Roosevelt before visiting Vanderbilt (110). DePaul is led by former all Valley performer Javon Freeman-Liberty. Games with Norfolk State and Davidson (77) follow.

LUC plays six home games, three, true road games, and three in the Bahamas. DePaul, Vanderbilt, and Davidson are all on the road.

Nonconference games won’t be the only place to build their postseason resume. Northern Iowa (20), Missouri State (17), and Drake (9) are all ranked in Busting Brackets’ Mid-Major Top 25 poll.