Welcome to the Valley Ramblers and Rambler fans. It looks like the first Valley game for you guys is against my Sycamores. For those who don't know a lot about us. Ill give a quick break down and some highlights at the end. We are probably the only team who can really steal the MVC title from Wichita st. The main reason why we we might not is consistency. We had a bunch of new faces last year and beat the top teams and lost to the bottom teams. BIZARRE. But we were a game or 2 from getting an at large bid. We lose only 2 players but one was freshmen who didnt play. The other is senior RJ Mahurin who was our 3rd leading scorer. He was a stretch 4 at 6'9, who can light it up from 3 and developed an inside game. It wasn't great but efficient. We have Jake odum, best PG and playmaker in the Valley, so remember that name if you dont already know it. Jake makes things happen and has an high bball IQ. ALL Valley fans love to watch him play except against their teams. When the game is on the line you best believe the ball will be hands to make some type of game winning play which can be a jump shot, an assist, or a free throw. Manny Arop who is a great compliment to Jake. He is a lengthy 6'6 forward who can score from the perimeter or low post. Teams have tough time guarding him bc of his offensive skill sets. He's like CleAnthony Early in some ways only Manny likes the low post better and Early likes the perimeter better. Lucas Eitel is a 3 point specialist. Every time he shoots I almost guarantee it's going in. If he gets hot watch out. Justin Gant is a 6'8 forward who is a face up post player and can shoot from the perimeter. We put him at the 5 alot bc we have been thin in the front-court. He can dominate at times defensively or offensively but disappears sometimes. He was the reason for our 3rd place finish at the Hawaii tournament last year as he banged with the bigs from Ole Miss, San Diego State, and Miami. All ranked teams. Cummings is an athletic guard who can shoot 3s but he was very inconsistent last year. Last person Im gonna mention is Khristian Smith. He will be a sleeper to many Valley fans. He didnt do a whole lot last year but he was 2 years away from basketball before last season so he is now back to bball form. He was once a Cincinatti recruit. He has NBA type talent and has a great upside. He is the guy looking for a dunk. I look for him to have a breakout season this year. That's all worth mentioning for now. Starters are probably Odum (6'4), Cummings (6'4), Arop (6'6), Gant (6'8), Kitchell (6'10). Will change depending on who we play. Here are some highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L5-cMa4XWk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWo8aErcfEE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n00m7-2mpi4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8Wg5Gp0RKg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meQJt4XgIyg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeqzUqR-tU4

Welcome to the board! We are very excited to be a part of the MVC and can't wait for conference play to start.

The one thing I have told MVC fans is that they should be careful writing us off. A lot were down on us joining the conference (and some remain that way). That said, we were the 6th youngest team in NCAA last year and managed a nearly .500 record. All things considered (not having our best player for most of the year), that was pretty good.

We bring back a good amount of talent (CT, Turk, Keke, Osbourne) and have added some key elements (Doyle, Johnson).

We like to play to our opponents, so don't be surprised if we give you a run for your money when we meet.

Hope you can make it up to the Joe for a game. I think you'll find LU fans very hospitable

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Cigarboy sucks!

I will be there on 1/1/2014. I don't expect Loyola to win on the road against the team that most people think will finish a close 2nd in the conference, but having hoped and prayed for deliverance from the Horizon League for more than a decade, I can't miss it.

Well, what a relief !! Opponents who seem to be gracious while still pulling for their teams--PLUS these guys appear to know the game as well--Beautiful !!

One thing for sure --We shall have newbie type jitters goin' in --Will get over it quick like. One of the resons--BIGGEST team we have had in forever. That will help our flshy back court a ton.

Welcome to our board--Keep 'em coming !