Seems like this becomes an annual pilgrimage...explaining to myself why I love LU basketball and not to give up even though it appears the current is taking us away from the shore. First it is my responsibility through good times and bad as a fan to hang in there. The team has done their job....they hustle and play hard even in front of some mind numbingly poor crowds. They have had some decent wins will probably finish above .500 and continue to represent LU in a positive manner. So I am going to get to the games and maybe even take a road trip to ISU as well Archie and Jughead Madness. While I have not gotten everything back I wanted this year as a fan I think for the most part the team deserves it. I feel like I am in the middle of an OHEnry short story.
The reality is that this team is just not all that.....They have to execute at 100% and out hustle the other team to get their wins and that makes them vulnerable especially when depth and height is an issue. Wichita State had so many better players...players who could create shots,alter shots rebound based just on their physical superiority. Our recruiting is still not where it needs to be ,though next year may signal a turn around.Two local products coming in as freshman. Again it does not seem this is from a lack of effort. Seems like Coach has scoured the earth in search of players. We still seem to lose the close games which is frustrating. Our hallmark seems to be our man to man defense but that really takes a toll when your bench is short...It is a high energy defense and offense in terms of effort required(also requires major effort from opposition) and we always seem to wear down during the season.
But I think there has been some progress and improvements this year(schedule,wins,rpi) and am catching the hint of more improvements to come. So four games left....goal...NO THURSDAY GAME and another crack at the Shokers.....Man I wanted to beat WS.

Nate,

I think it is very difficult to win consistently in the MVC without a key bench player or two. Looking at the stats from the fourteen league games Loyola is definitely missing that this year. Even though he doesn't
start, I do not consider Jackson a bench player. My five bench players are Granic, Kirby, Satterwhite, Skokna and Smith. Their scoring contributions have been minimal in the league and with the exception of Kirby have declined as the season has progressed.

Satterwhite scored 19 points in the first three league games. He has scored 4 in the last 11 and those were in one game.
Granic scored 11 points in the first five and 1 point in the last nine games.
Skokna scored 39 points off the bench in the first nine games, but has only scored five points in the last five.
Smith has only scored three points in the last four games which have all been losses.

A team is always looking for that player who can come in off the bench to provide a spark when the starters are struggling. Loyola has not had that this year. In the fourteen league games Kirby has scored five points or more once, Skokna three times, Satterwhite and Smith twice, and Granic not a single time.

Hopefully, there will be a much stronger bench next season!

Every year it seems like Porter plays one rotation for the first quarter to third of the season and then inexplicably changes it up.
Example: Granic, Satterwhite, and Skokna playing a ton, and then all of a sudden Kirby starting and Granic/Satterwhite hardly being seen. That's got to be maddening as a player.
Especially Satterwhite. While he made mistakes, his length and athleticism made an impact at least once a twice a game when he got playing time.

I think Satterwhite has a lot of potential. A LOT of potential. It seems like this year should/could have been spent developing a part of his game that could be useful later.... like becoming a great three point shooter... or a great defender.... or developing a pull-up mid-range jumper.... etc. I realize that we want to win games, and we haven't had many blowouts in our favor where we could do much experimenting.

As Galena pointed out, something happened with Sattterwhite between Jan. 4 and Jan. 7. Before that Jan. 7 game, he averaged 15.4 minutes, 4.0 points, and 1.6 rebounds per game. Beginning with the Jan 7 game, he's averaged 5.6 minutes (including 2 DNPs), 0.4 points and 0.5 rebounds.

Me too. I like his defense. I don't think he's making sound decisions with the ball right now, but also remember he missed his senior year of high school with the injury, so coming into the season he hadn't played a game in two years.

_________________
MBB Scholarship Chart

Well. Guys, this team of ours has literally played their hearts out, no question. But when I said in another post that I surrendered, I meant it. I will always be an LUC fan --Always-- But this team as good as it has been , as improved that it has been is NOT where I want it to be.
The Loyola RAMBLERS should and MUST be playing the likes of Xavier GTN Gonzaga Mich ST Kansas Kentucky UCLA and beating them --not always ==but playing them even up ALL THE TIME !! For us this means DOMINATING the Valley and winning big in Non-Con Tourneys etc. Naturally we need to get to the DANCE regularly as well.
I grew u[p with this and expect this once again NOW !!
In my early days we did make the NIT from time to time ( It was the biggie then)

Pollyanna of me I know, but I expect nothing less. PORTER CAN and must do this. LOYOLA CHICAGO MUST get there commencing next season --This season was a start !!--A Good start. We have the Coach. We have the Athletic Director--BUT do we have the Administration tah\\hat will do its part COMPLETELY ???

If satterwhite could turn a third of his tipped into steals next season... wow. I agree with Ahunte in terms of his adjustment after missing a season. I wish he would attack the basket more this season. As of now he seems to take mostly 3's and his shot isn't there consistently yet.


Bruno also has a huge adjustment coming stateside. His shot hasn't fallen this year, but I really think that will come as he gets more comfortable. He often makes 1-2 flash plays a game but will then disappear. I think if he gets the green light to attack more he could be a really nice player down the line.

Vlatko came in as a stretch big praised for his 3pt shoy, but when we lost both chastain and Andres they didn't have the luxury to play him as a stretch when he was in anymore we needed someone to get boards and score in the paint.... he's not really a back to basket guy. I actually do think he's better on offense than we've been able to see given his limited time, but his defense isn't up to the level of conference play yet.

The team really needs an earl Peterson type next season...someone willing to really attack the basket at a moments notice. I think Marques Townes will likely be that next season, will be interesting to see if he starts or comes off the bench with the incoming front court and return of chastain.


Season ain't over. We've seen this team bounce back before. Go Ramblers.

All interesting comments above. YET we STILL have a shot at 4th. place in the conference. It would appear we could get there with 9-9 and a win against SIU. Crazier things have happened. Once again we all know our short comings, YET we all know our resiliency. I hope Porter can keep everyone on board in spite of what must be difficult stretches as we have just finished. It's the same for everyone else in the conference.
Someone will stay the course, it might as well be the Ramblers.
As an aside, I too watch with interest the Satterwhite situation. He is tentative on offense, sometimes it seems, just moving the ball without a thought on his part to be ready for a shot or a drive. I agree with previous posts that we need to remember he missed a year of HS, and has to find his confidence level in the midst of other teammates who are the designated go to guys. I wouldn't give up on him, his potential seems great.
Onward, as the sign says... I really STILL believe that this season has something really good in it. Hopefully the players believe the same thing.
Go Ramblers.