The air inside Reitz Arena gets heavy in January. It’s that specific kind of Baltimore humidity mixed with the smell of floor wax and the frantic energy of a student section that knows every seat is practically on top of the hardwood. If you’ve ever sat in those stands—or tried to find parking near Charles Street on a game night—you know that Loyola Maryland men’s basketball isn’t just another mid-major program. It’s a scrappy, Jesuit-backed operation that’s been punching above its weight class since before most of its current roster was born.
Honestly, the "Greyhounds" moniker is fitting. They’re lean, they’re fast, and they spend a lot of time chasing bigger dogs in a conference that doesn’t give an inch. But if you think this is just a team that shows up to fill a bracket slot in the Patriot League, you haven't been paying attention to the shift happening under Josh Loeffler.
The Josh Loeffler Era: A New Blueprint
When Josh Loeffler took the reins as the 22nd head coach in March 2024, he wasn't exactly a stranger to the neighborhood. He’d spent years as an assistant under G.G. Smith and had a wildly successful run at Johns Hopkins just down the road. Basically, he knows where the bodies are buried in Baltimore recruiting.
Loeffler's approach is kinda different. He isn't looking for the flashiest three-star recruit who’s eyeing a portal exit after six months. He’s building a "defensive-first" identity that actually sticks. In the 2025-2026 season, we're seeing the fruits of that labor, even if the win-loss column doesn't always reflect the grit yet. As of mid-January 2026, the Greyhounds are sitting at 5-13 overall, but look closer at the numbers. They aren't getting blown out; they’re getting tough.
The 2025-2026 Roster: Who’s Stepping Up?
You can’t talk about this team without mentioning Jacob Theodosiou. The junior guard from Canada is basically the engine. He’s averaging 15.1 points and nearly 5 assists per game, playing with a level of urgency that makes you wonder if he ever sleeps. Alongside him, Braeden Speed has developed into a legitimate secondary threat, chipping in 13.8 points.
The frontcourt is where things get interesting. You’ve got:
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- Emmett Adair: A 6-9 freshman from Australia who’s already a force on the glass (5.2 RPG).
- Jonas Sirtautas: The Lithuanian big man who’s shooting a ridiculous 65.5% from the field.
- Jordan Stiemke: A local Bel Air kid who brings that Maryland toughness to the wing.
It’s a weird, eclectic mix of international talent and Baltimore locals. It shouldn't work as well as it does, but Loeffler has them playing a pace that ranks among the fastest in the Patriot League. They’re 3rd in the conference in three-pointers made (about 9.5 per game), which tells you everything you need to know about their "let it fly" mentality.
Why the Patriot League is a Gauntlet
People outside the Northeast sort of sleep on the Patriot League. Big mistake. You're dealing with Navy, Colgate, and American—teams that play a "boring" but incredibly efficient brand of basketball. Loyola was picked to finish 6th in the preseason poll, and they’ve found themselves in a dogfight at the bottom of the standings with Army and Lafayette.
But here’s the thing: Loyola Maryland men’s basketball is historically a "second half of the season" team. They have this annoying habit (annoying if you're an opponent) of clicking right around February. They took a massive 101-51 win over Washington College and a solid 95-84 victory over Coppin State earlier this year. The talent is there. The consistency? That’s still a work in progress.
The Ghost of 2012 and Beyond
Every time you walk into Reitz, you see the banners. 2012. Jimmy Patsos. The year the Greyhounds actually made the Big Dance. They went 24-9 that season and gave Ohio State a legitimate scare in the Round of 64.
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That 2012 run is the benchmark. It proved that a small Jesuit school in North Baltimore could compete on a national stage. But the history goes deeper than just one tournament run. Did you know Loyola played in the first interracial college basketball game south of the Mason-Dixon line? February 12, 1952, against Morgan State. They won 65-63, but the score was the least important part of that night. That’s the soul of this program—it’s always been about more than just a box score.
Reitz Arena: The Tiny Box of Doom
Let’s be real for a second: Reitz Arena is weird. It holds 2,100 people and doubles as a ballroom and a concert hall. The seating is retractable. If you’re a visiting shooter, the sightlines are a nightmare.
But for Loyola, it’s home. When that place is packed for a "Greek Life Night" or a rivalry game against Navy, it is deafening. Coach Loeffler has been vocal about wanting to "pack the Reitz," and you can see why. In a mid-major conference, home-court advantage isn't just a cliché; it’s the difference between a first-round exit and a deep tournament run.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Hounds
The biggest misconception? That Loyola is a "stepping stone" job. While coaches like Skip Prosser used it as a launchpad, the current administration has invested heavily in the program. Donna Woodruff, the AD, isn't just looking for winning seasons; she’s looking for a culture that mirrors the university's Jesuit values.
You've also got the "lack of height" argument. Sure, the Hounds don't usually have a 7-footer, but they make up for it with defensive rotations. This season, they’re forcing opponents into tough shots, even if their own field goal percentage is hovering around 43.8%. They’re gritty. They’re the team you don't want to play in a 4:00 PM Saturday slot when your legs are tired.
Practical Steps for the Faithful
If you’re looking to follow the Greyhounds through the rest of the 2026 season, don't just check the ESPN app. Get involved.
- Watch the Perimeter: Keep an eye on Jacob Theodosiou’s assist-to-turnover ratio. If he keeps it above 1.5, Loyola stays in every game.
- The Reitz Experience: If you're in Baltimore, go to a midweek game. The tickets are cheap, the atmosphere is authentic, and you’re close enough to hear the coaches yelling at the refs.
- Follow the Freshman: Emmett Adair is the real deal. His development over the next two months will dictate whether Loyola can pull off an upset in the Patriot League Tournament.
- Check the Schedule: The late-January stretch against Bucknell and American at home is basically "make or break" for their seeding.
Loyola Maryland men’s basketball isn't a powerhouse—not yet. But it’s a program with a chip on its shoulder and a coach who doesn't believe in excuses. Whether they’re hitting ten threes in a half or grinding out a 55-52 win, they represent a specific kind of Baltimore resilience that’s hard not to root for.
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The path forward is simple but brutal: defend the home court, keep the Canadian engine running, and don't let the Patriot League standings dictate the effort. If they do that, February might get very interesting at the corner of Charles and Cold Spring.
Actionable Next Steps:
To stay updated on the Greyhounds, sync their schedule to your calendar via the official athletics site or catch the live streams on ESPN+. If you're looking for deep-dive stats, KenPom is the best place to track their defensive efficiency improvements as the season progresses. Stay focused on the home games against Navy and Colgate—those are the litmus tests for this team's growth.