CHICAGO (February 26, 2018) – Loyola University Chicago freshman Cameron Krutwig (Algonquin, Ill./Jacobs) has been named Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week it was announced today by the league office. In two games last week, the 6-foot-9 center accounted for 15.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, while shooting a staggering 82.4 percent (14-for-17) from the field, as Loyola captured its first outright conference title since 1984-85.
 
In a 75-56 victory at Southern Illinois that gave Loyola the outright MVC regular-season championship, Krutwig pitched in 14 points, six rebounds and two assists, hitting 6-of-7 shots from the field. He followed that by coming off the bench for the first time since early November and notching 16 points, five boards and four assists in a 68-61 decision over Illinois State on February 24 in the regular-season finale.
 
For the year, Krutwig, who is a leading candidate for MVC Freshman of the Year accolades, which will be announced later this week, is averaging 10.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 1.9 apg, and is connecting on 60.3 percent (126-for-209) of his field goal attempts. He ranks first among Valley freshmen in scoring (10.6) and second in rebounding (6.5).
 
Krutwig has played a major role in a memorable season for Loyola, which wrapped up the regular season with a 25-5 overall record, its most victories since going 27-6 and making a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 1984-85. The Ramblers' 15 conference victories this season also established a new program record, shattering the previous mark of 13 held by that 1984-85 squad.
 
Loyola will have the No. 1 seed at the MVC Championship, which will be held March 1-4 in St. Louis. The Ramblers will take the court for their first game in the tournament on Friday, March 2 at noon Central when they take on the winner of the No. 8 Evansville versus No. 9 UNI game.