2008 Woodie Awards
Men build off early road bumps, team starts to gel
Joe DelGobbo
Issue date: 1/22/08 Section: Sports
The spring semester is underway and the basketball season is in full swing; non-conference play is finished, and competitive league play is in gear. Loyola, after a pair of wins last week, is 9-10 overall and 5-3 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Initial reaction may be that the team is underachieving, considering the high praise and expectations that were doled out during the preseason. But rest assured, it is not time to panic.
Coach Jimmy Patsos is in the process of building a solid program here at Loyola. He has achieved great success in just a few short seasons, turning Loyola from a one-win team into a league contender. While the program has already made significant strides, Patsos says the next step will not be an easy one.
"It's easy to go from a 'D' to a 'C' and from a 'C' to a 'B'. But to go from a 'B' to an 'A' you start competing against others. That barrier is really though, and we've hit that barrier."
The Hounds are looking to earn their 'A' in the second half of the season, but they still have considerable work to do.
The Greyhounds' Achilles heel has been their struggles on the road. The team is a dismal 1-9 away from the friendly confines of Reitz Arena this year. One way Patsos is trying to change the team's road woes is by taking the team to hostile environments around the country to participate in "money games." (Big school beats up on little school, but little school reaps the monetary benefits). The Greyhounds have traveled to Kansas, Illinois, Dayton and Seton Hall, taking on elite programs that enjoy packed stadiums and heavy media coverage.
"I want the kids to remember in 10 years not just playing in the MAAC," Patsos said.
Patsos explains that playing these games are good exposure, benefit recruiting, and improve the quality of the team's play. It's not necessarily about earning a victory but facing the challenge.
"Adversity tests us all," Patsos said. "How's our character? It's easy when everything is going well."
Coach Jimmy Patsos is in the process of building a solid program here at Loyola. He has achieved great success in just a few short seasons, turning Loyola from a one-win team into a league contender. While the program has already made significant strides, Patsos says the next step will not be an easy one.
"It's easy to go from a 'D' to a 'C' and from a 'C' to a 'B'. But to go from a 'B' to an 'A' you start competing against others. That barrier is really though, and we've hit that barrier."
The Hounds are looking to earn their 'A' in the second half of the season, but they still have considerable work to do.
The Greyhounds' Achilles heel has been their struggles on the road. The team is a dismal 1-9 away from the friendly confines of Reitz Arena this year. One way Patsos is trying to change the team's road woes is by taking the team to hostile environments around the country to participate in "money games." (Big school beats up on little school, but little school reaps the monetary benefits). The Greyhounds have traveled to Kansas, Illinois, Dayton and Seton Hall, taking on elite programs that enjoy packed stadiums and heavy media coverage.
"I want the kids to remember in 10 years not just playing in the MAAC," Patsos said.
Patsos explains that playing these games are good exposure, benefit recruiting, and improve the quality of the team's play. It's not necessarily about earning a victory but facing the challenge.
"Adversity tests us all," Patsos said. "How's our character? It's easy when everything is going well."
Be the first to comment on this story