The biggest on-court question for Loyola Chicago in 2020-21 has been answered.
Jacob Hutson, a freshman center from Minnesota, is expected to sit out this upcoming season while also being considered a walk-on, Abby Schnable of the Loyola Phoenix reported Wednesday.
Although nothing is official, Jacob Hutson mentioned he’s planning on redshirting this upcoming season. He is considered to be a walk on for the 2020-21 season. If he goes the redshirt route he’ll have four years of eligibility, after this season.
— Abby Schnable (@AbbySchnable) June 3, 2020
This confirms speculation that Hutson will go a “5-for-4” route, meaning he’ll be with the program for five years and be on scholarship for four. This allows the 6-foot-11 big man to take a year to develop and get acquainted with coach Porter Moser’s system.
Hutson committed to Loyola back in September, but he wasn’t officially added to the roster until last week. The press release didn’t specify if he’d be on scholarship, but it was assumed he wasn’t because Loyola doesn’t have any more to give — they reached the limit when Indiana guard Damezi Anderson transferred to Loyola April 30.
It was also rumored that another Loyola player would transfer and, therefore, open a spot for Hutson. That, of course, didn’t happen.
Once he enters the rotation, Hutson could be instant-impact for Moser’s squad. As a junior in 2018-19, he averaged 19 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. He also shot 60 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point land.
Of the years for Hutson to sit out, this would be the one to do so. The Ramblers have two strong centers in senior Cameron Krutwig and junior Franklin Agunanne, as well as sophomore Tom Welch, who saw some time at the 5-spot next season. Hutson wouldn’t be able to learn from Krutwig next year, and “King Krut” learned valuable lessons with 7-footer Carson Shanks in his ear during the Ramblers’ 2018 Final Four season. It’s funny how college basketball works that way.
Beyond the center spot, the Ramblers are set to return a loaded crew this season. Only Jalon Pipkins left the roster — he transferred to IUPUI last month — which means the entire starting five and bench rotations are coming back. Plus, sharpshooting freshman guard Baylor Hebb and Oakland transfer Braden Norris join the rotation, and fan favorite Cooper Kaifes is coming back from injury, meaning Moser has his deepest roster since that Final Four season.