2023-24 Patriot League Previews: Loyola Greyhounds

2022-23 Regular Season Result: 13-20 (7-11) Tied for 6^th in Patriot League

2023 Patriot League Tournament Result: Lost in Quarterfinals at Colgate

Coach: Tavaras Hardy (6th season)

Key Departures: Jaylin Andrews (Guard) Kenneth Jones (Guard)

Key Additions: D’Angelo Stines (Guard), Jordan Stiemke (Guard)

Loyola is entering the season with real expectations for the first time in a while. Historically, since joining the Patriot League the program has been a bottom-four team. The Hounds entered the Patriot League prior to the 2013-14 season and have only once finished higher than seventh (2021-22 when they finished 6^th). It has not been due to a lack of talent. The Greyhounds have had players such as first-round NBA draft pick Santi Aldama, Cam Spencer who transferred to Rutgers and now Connecticut, and Andrew Kostecka. The issue for Loyola has been staying healthy and putting the pieces together. Once again, this season Loyola has the talent on the roster. I think they are capable of getting a top-four seed and hosting a quarterfinal game but it remains to be seen if it will all come together for the Hounds.  

Deon Perry emerged as a bright spot for Loyola last season. The guard averaged 11.5 ppg, 2.1 rebounds per game, 2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He was named to the Patriot League all-rookie team. Particularly in the later part of the season, he shined scoring 17.5 ppg, shooting 46% from three and 97.6% from the free throw line in their final 12 games. If Loyola wants to continue the momentum they built from winning five of their last seven games Deon Perry will have to play a big role offensively.

The Greyhounds are a very deep team. Nine players can make a case for substantial minutes. In the frontcourt, The Ilic twins look to bounce back after injury-filled 2022-23 campaigns. Milos is back and should start for Loyola. He provides good passing out of the four spot and the ability to space the floor. Veljko is still working back from injury but could play a role later in the season. Golden Dike returns for his 5^th year, and Alonso Faure is a rebounding presence inside.

At the wing and guard positions, Tavaras Hardy has a lot to work with. Chris Kuzemka is a fantastic on-ball defender who is constantly hustling and can guard one through three on the floor. Tyson Commander has taken a big step forward this offseason and should have a bigger scoring role as he fills the void left by Jaylin Andrews and Kenneth Jones. Old Dominion transfer D’Angelo Stines is an athletic guard who can drive and shoot. He is productive from the mid-range. Junior David Brown III is in his third season and has played well in his smaller role off the bench. Lastly, Perry will be running the offense.

It is also worth noting that a significant number of changes were made to the Loyola bench. Hardy added Mike Brennan who came up to Baltimore after a long tenure as the head coach of American University. He is experienced in the league. Brennan led American to the NCAA Tournament in his first season with the program. More recently last year his American squad was the only team to beat Colgate. I think Brennan was a sneaky good pickup for Loyola. Loyola also added Matt Miller as an assistant coach. Miller was formerly at Mount Saint Mary’s and helped Dan Englestad lead The Mount to the NCAA Tournament in 2021. Miller is well-connected locally in recruiting and is known around the coaching world as a defensive specialist. His Mount Saint Mary’s teams consistently hung their hat on the play of their defense. Ricky Hernandez made the short trip up Charles Street from Division Three John’s Hopkins to take the director of basketball operations job. He comes to Loyola from a very successful time at Hopkins under former Loyola assistant coach Josh Loeffler.

Loyola has bolstered their backcourt and bench and is finally a little healthier. This should be a good year for Loyola. It will come down to how to all of the talent fitting together. If so they should be able to capitalize on a league that has experienced a tremendous amount of turnover.

I expect Loyola to finish 4^th.

I’ve put a lot of effort into these previews. Many hours were spent researching, interviewing, and writing in depth previews for all ten of the Patriot League men’s basketball teams. I enjoy covering the conference and my goal is to provide the best national coverage of Patriot League Men’s Basketball. If you enjoyed the coverage and would like to support my work my PayPal username is @HappeningHoops while obviously not expected any and all donations are always welcomed. Thank you!

All Team Previews

1. Colgate
2. Lehigh
3. American
4. Loyola
5. Lafayette
6. Holy Cross
7. Navy
8. Bucknell
9. Boston
10. Army