Tuesday, November 5, 2019 7:00 p.m.
Gentile Arena, Chicago, Ill.
Loyola kicks off the 2019-20 campaign against UC Davis. The Aggies are coached by former Bradley Head Coach Jim Les, a Chicago-area native and Notre Dame Prep grad who's done quite a bit of recruiting in Illinois. These two teams
faced each other six years ago, in a tournament at Portland State, where UCD won 64-61 in OT.
UC Davis is a great school, often ranked in the top 50 among all national universities in US News and World Report. They're known for their exceptional veterinary and agriculture programs, and
the town's phenomenal embrace of bicycle transportation. What's not so well known about UC Davis is the ability and potential of this year's men's basketball team. The Aggies said goodbye to five seniors from their 2018-19 squad, including their top two scorers and two part-time starters from the frontcourt. Coming off an 11-20 season overall and 7-9 in conference for a 6th place finish, UCD is not playing any exhibition games this season. The Big West Preseason Poll of coaches and media picked Davis for 8th in the nine-team conference. But like Illinois State in the MVC Preseason Poll, the Aggies somehow got a first place vote despite a predominantly negative overall prediction.
One of the primary reasons for UC Davis tossing aside their bikes and heading to frosty Chicago to open the season is to thank one current player and to court recruits for the future. UCD's top returning scorer is five-year senior Joe Mooney, a native of Wauconda and a Notre Dame College Prep grad. UC Davis also has an offer out to 6'5" forward Troy D'Amico of Notre Dame's class of 2021, as well as two Wisconsin recruits.
The Aggies are likely to start a five man roster of Mooney, 6'11" senior center Matt Neufeld, 6'2" senior guard Stefan Gonzalez, 5'11" freshman guard Ezra Manjon, and 6'7" juco transfer Kennedy Koehler. This is just totally speculation on my part from reviewing the past starting lineups and bios of the new players. Let's see how it turns out....
As for the Ramblers, the two-time defending MVC Regular Season Champions will return three players to their starting lineup. Junior center and 2019-20 MVC Preseason Player of the Year Cameron Krutwig will anchor the Loyola linuep, bolstered by junior guard Lucas Williamson and junior forward Aher Uguak. Two newcomers, 6'1" freshman point guard Marquise Kennedy and 6'6" junior transfer guard Tate Hall, are likely to fill the other two starting slots.
The Ramblers will be soft at the center and point guard spots with 6'9" Frank Agunanne and 6'1" Keith Clemons out with short term injuries. Sophomore shooting guard Cooper Kaifes is out for the season, crippling Loyola's three-point shooting attack. Someone (newcomer Tate Hall, defensive whiz Lucas Willamson, or rangy power forward Tom Welch) will have to take up the three point shooting demand, because the lack of an attack from outside has led to bleak offensive stretches in scrimmages and exhibitions.
Loyola game notes:
https://loyolaramblers.com/news/2019/11 ... davis.aspx UC Davis game notes:
https://ucdavisaggies.com/news/2019/11/ ... icago.aspx TV/Streaming video: ESPN +
https://www.espn.com/watch?id=d65b4e40- ... c4ef099f0eInternet audio feed:
https://loyolaramblers.com/watch/?Live=2&type=Live Live stats:
http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=279998Vegas odds: Loyola by 14