Team preview: Loyola (Md.)

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"You've got to get players," said Patsos, who was introduced as head coach of the Greyhounds on April 1, 2004. "Players make the program, not the coach."

Patsos is no stranger to finding good players. He spent the last 13 years as an assistant to Gary Williams at Maryland, where he coached 13 NBA draft choices including Joe Smith, Steve Francis and Juan Dixon.

The Terrapins won two ACC championships and went to the NCAA Tournament 10 times, made seven Sweet 16s, two Final Fours and won the 2002 NCAA Championship while Patsos was on staff.

Meanwhile, about 30 miles up the road, Loyola struggled. The Greyhounds haven't had a winning season since 1993-94 and made a serious run at Grambling's record of 33 consecutive losses, reaching 31, before defeating Marist, 63-57, on Jan. 29 for their only win of last season.

Patsos, who replaced Scott Hicks at Loyola, knows he won't have to go far to start rebuilding. The Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area is ripe with basketball talent and he plans on keeping some of it close to home.

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