MVC Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

2. Cameron Krutwig

It’s simply amazing to consider the impact that Krutwig had in his collegiate career. A 6’9 center from Algonquin, Illinois, he joined Porter Moser’s program at Loyola-Chicago and proved to be the frontcourt weapon the Ramblers needed, playing a monster role in its success across four impressive seasons.

As a freshman, Krutwig started nearly every game, averaged 10.5 points and 6.1 rebounds a game, and helped lead Loyola to the Final Four; not a bad collegiate debut. He even had 17 points in their Final Four loss to Michigan. Krutwig’s major role would continue, averaging right around 15 points a game in each of his next three years with good rebounding numbers. He helped lead the Ramblers to the NIT as a sophomore, but really starred in 2021, taking Loyola-Chicago to the Sweet Sixteen, with a double-double in their upset win over Illinois.

Krutwig was the MVC Rookie of the Year as a freshman and MVC Player of the Year as a senior, with a bevy of First Team honors in the conference in between. He showed incredible talent and maturity early in his career during that historic run and would become one of the league’s best shooters and rebounders in the years ahead. Krutwig was truly a transformational player for the Ramblers and having him plugging up the paint was a massive advantage throughout his career.