Atlantic 10 Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2023-24 season

7. Loyola-Chicago Ramblers

2022-23 season record: 10-21 (4-14)

Going from winning the Missouri Valley Conference to dead last in Atlantic 10 Basketball was a storyline no one in the sport expected. A number of players underachieved on the roster but just about all of them are now gone. And more importantly, the top three scorers are all back, including breakout newcomer and leading scorer/rebounder, Philip Alston (14.6 ppg and 5.6 rpg).

Guards Braden Norris and Ben Schwiegger are also back but will need to improve their play in order for the team to be more competitive. Joining them is Greg Dolan, a transfer from Cornell who produced 13.3 ppg on 43% shooting from deep. Desmond Watson nearly averaged double figures at Davidson and is another capable scoring threat.

Joining both Alston and Tom Welch in the frontcourt is Dame Adelekun, who averaged 13.8 ppg and 7.2 rpg at Dartmouth and is one of the better interior defenders in the league. And big man Patrick Mwamba comes over from Oral Roberts to add more depth as well.

There’s no reason not to believe that Loyola-Chicago will take a jump this season up the standings. How far is the question and the backcourt, after last year’s struggles, is a question. But as long as they can shoot the ball, the Ramblers will start to look like the threat they were in the MVC.