Loyola (Md.) Greyhounds (23-12 overall, 12-6 MAAC)
Projected starting five:
Sr. G Dylon Cormier
Jr. G Denzel Brito
Jr. G R.J. Williams
Sr. F Jordan Latham
So. F Franz Rassman
Important departures:
Erik Etherly (15.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.5 spg), Robert Olson (12.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.1 spg), and Anthony Winbush (7.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.4 apg) are all gone from last season’s team, along with Julius Brooks (4.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg), a part-time starter.
Returning:
44.7 percent of scoring and 44.7 percent of rebounding
Additions:
Jr. G Denzel Brito (transferred from Loyola (Ill.))
Fr. F Josh Forney (redshirted)
Fr. F Nick Gorski
Fr. F Damion Rashford (redshirted)
Fr. G Sean Tuohy, Jr. (redshirted)
Schedule Highlights:
The Greyhounds have four non-league home games, highlighted by visits from America East contender Stony Brook and Saint Joseph’s. They head on the road to play at Connecticut, West Virginia, Northeast contender Mount St. Mary’s and Miami. Three of their first five league games are at home, and they also close with three of five at home.
Projected finish and outlook:
The Greyhounds will be new all over the place this season, with three starters gone, a new head coach and being a newcomer to the league. The cupboard isn’t bare, and with most of the proven talent being on the perimeter they could be a sleeper team. Cormier is the team’s unquestioned leader, while Brito started at Loyola (Ill.) and should make an instant impact now that he’s eligible and should get to play off the ball, where he is better suited, since Williams will run the show. Tyler Hubbard also returns to give them a proven reserve, and sophomore Jarred Jones could be an interesting X-factor as he can play either wing at 6’7″. Where they need players to emerge is up front, as Latham will anchor the group and needs Rassman or one of the freshmen to make an impact right away to help. The Greyhounds will be capable of pushing the pace and turning teams over once again, and they’ll need to do that more given the lack of proven bodies inside. If they succeed, they could push for a top-three finish.
