32 replies to this topic

[bens80]

Just wanted to take a moment to speak to the high caliber of basketball being played by Jimmy Patsos's squad over at Loyola.

Still somewhat quietly, at least in terms of media coverage and local recognition, Patsos has really built a solid mid-major program out of a program that was really in the doldrums, and he has done with a great and exciting group of players who are predominantly from the Baltimore-DC region (led by Cardinal Gibbons alum Dylon Cormier).

This season, while most Baltimore-area press coverage has been directed towards Morgan's dealings with the Bozeman scandal or Towson's continued struggles, the Greyhounds are sitting in second place in the MAAC at 12-5 (5-2 in the conference) after falling at first place Iona on Sunday.

If you get a chance this season, I'd encourage anyone to travel over to Reitz Arena for a fun gameday experience and a chance to watch the exciting (and still young) Greyhounds team Patsos has put together, not to mention Jimmy himself, who is every bit the presence of his mentor, Gary Williams. If you can't make it out, all of the home games are broadcast over the web on http://www.loyolagreyhounds.com and a few games will be broadcast on ESPNU (last Friday's was and there are two upcoming in February).

[bens80]

As a follow-up, looks like the press is starting to come: Jimmy Patsos will be on Mid-Atlantic Sports Report tonight and is featured in the latest issue of Press Box Magazine

[BSLChrisStoner]

Glad you brought this up Ben. I was fairly interested in Loyola during Patsos' initial couple of seasons, especially with all of the MD transfers (Fofana, Collins, Walker), but the Greyhounds had fallen off my radar.

It is good to see them again on the up-swing. Jordan Latham (City College, Xavier transfer) was a huge get (though he has not produced to date). Nice that another local recruit (Dylon Cormier, Gibbons) is performing. People that think Patsos' should have done more, forget how bad the program was under Gaudio.

[bens80]

I believe Jordan's been battling some injuries, which is somewhat unfortunate because he did get the exemption to play right away rather than have to sit out a transfer year.

They still have a very solid 7-8 deep and balanced rotation with Shane Walker (yes, the same Shane Walker from Maryland), Erik Etherly (an exciting and athletic PF from Northern VA), Justin Drummond (out of Riverdale Baptist) and Anthony Winbush (another F from Northern VA) down low and a great backcourt trio of Cormier, sharpshooter Robert Olson (Georgetown Prep) and lightning-quick PG RJ Williams, a true freshman out of St. Francis. If Jordan and Jhared Hall can get back to 100%, the team is loaded.

Long term outlook is bright, too as only Walker's a senior out of that group and they've got a great recruiting class coming in, also heavy on local talent (Josh Forney-St Francis, Tevin Hanner- Milford Mill, and Jarred Jones- John Carroll) not to mention Michael Oher's step-brother, Sean Tuohy Jr.

Exciting team and a great group of guys; I've had the pleasure of coaching several of them during the NCAA's Baltimore Summer League over at Reitz the last two years and the Loyola guys definitely stand out from the pack in their team-focused approach, work ethic and basketball IQ.

[BSLChrisStoner]

PressBox: http://www.pressboxo...ory.cfm?id=8525

Patsos sounds like a really interesting guy.

[E_Walker]

Awesome points, Bens80. Loyola could become the pride of Baltimore hoops in a few years.

I do a lot of work covering recruiting in Baltimore (mdhigh.rivals.com) and Loyola has the best presence of any school in Baltimore, as they should. Just last week, they picked up another solid commitment in Jarred Jones, a 6'6ish forward out of John Carroll. Patsos is getting great local talent to stay close to home, and Loyola is definitely a program on the rise.

[bens80]

After a successful road sweep this weekend, the Greyhounds have won 7 of their last 8 and are sitting at 16-5 and in a three way tie for the MAAC lead at 8-2. The team continues to show great balance with 5 different scoring leaders (Olson, Cormier,Etherly, Drummond and Walker) over the last 5 games

Two nationally televised home games on ESPNU the next two Fridays (Rider this week and a huge game against co-leader Iona next Friday, 2/10).

[Chris B]

Like you guys have said, I have always thought that Loyola could become the city's premier private college basketball school like Georgetown in DC, Xavier in Cincinnati, Villanova in Philly, etc. Although I have no affiliation with Loyola except for the fact that I have a lot of friends and family who have attended, I do try and root for them. As a Xavier student, I'm hoping Latham can find "it" and I think Patsos can take the program places. The Greyhounds could be at the top of the MAAC pack for awhile with him.

[bens80]

ONE WIN AWAY FROM THE DANCE!

Hounds play in the MAAC Championship Game (7:00 tonight on ESPN2/1300 AM) against a Fairfield team (the teams split in the regular season with each winning on the other's home court).

Looking for a great game out of the team tonight...Jimmy should have them ready and fired up.

http://www.loyolagre... ... 12aaa.html

[BSLChrisStoner]

Congrats to Loyola for advancing to the dance. They played Kentucky well for a half, hopefully they get matched-up with someone they can scare.

Lost to Wake by 12, beat GW by 12, split with Iona. Won 13 of their last 16 overall.

[Chris B]

Congrats to all Greyhounds fans. Regardless of who they play in the tournament (or who I have in my bracket), I will be pulling for them.

I see them as a 14 or 15.

[BSLChrisStoner]

15 seed in the East, will face Ohio State.

[Chris B]

Good Yahoo article on Patsos:

http://rivals.yahoo.... ... ter_031312

[Chris B]

They will join with fellow new member Boston University in 2013.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Loyola is 11-5 overall, and 3-1 in the Metro Athletic.

They've lost by 22 at Washington, 20 to Bucknell, and 14 at Memphis.
They've beat Rhode Island.

The 3 leading scorers are:

Dylon Cormier, 17.6ppg (6'2, 172 lbs, JR Guard, Cardinal Gibbons / Baltimore)
Erik Etherly, 15.7ppg, 7.1 boards (6'7, 225 lbs, SR Forward, Alexandria, VA)
Robert Olson, 11.8ppg, 29% from 3 on 6.1 attempts per game (6'4, 190 lbs, SR Guard, Silver Spring, MD)

Xaiver Transfer Jordan Latham has started 8 games.

Roster: http://www.loyolagre...baskbl-mtt.html

[BSLChrisStoner]

Loyola is 20-9 overall, 11-5 in the MAAC.

They have won their last 3 games, with 2 games left (@Iona 3/1, Manhattan 3/3).

They are in 2nd place in the MAAC, 1 game behind Niagara.

Loyola split their 2 games with Niagara, and their 2 games with 3rd place Canisius.

Loyola is:
193rd in ppg
167th in rebounds
264th in assists
189th in fg %

[loco09]

I'll revive this old thread lol, I'm a Loyola alum so I try to keep up with the team as much as I can as I no longer live in Baltimore. Team is young this year and will probably struggle under first year coach Tavares Hardy but they picked up their first win the other night against Delaware State. I like the way they play so far, and I think Hardy and his assistants can recruit the area better than the previous staff so hopefully good things are on the horizon to get back to competing for a league title. 

[BSLChrisStoner]

Washington Post: Temple beats Loyola 81-67
https://www.washingt...m=.3b8ec5c391fb

[loco09]

Tough game against a pretty good Temple team, Temple rushed out to the big lead right away and Loyola never got it closer than 9 or so. Play Detroit Mercy tonight, i like the way the team plays, they are just missing a couple pieces, just need a good recruiting class or two. 

[loco09]

Hounds picked up their second win on the season beating Hampton 75-66. Play at Towson next on 11/25. The Tigers have more talent than Loyola this year but have struggled out of the gate. Freshman Jaylin Andrews out of Boys Latin had a career high 6pts last night getting a good number of minutes in the early going. Andrew Kostecka from Clarksburg led the way with 18.