TOWSON, Md. ? It's time for hoops in the Towson Center where the Tigers will open their 30th season of Division I college basketball this Friday night when they host Navy in a 7 o'clock tip.
And for Tiger head coach Pat Kennedy that opening tip can't happen fast enough.
“This is the most talent, the most depth and the most experience we've had since I've been here,” says the fifth-year Towson skipper who enters his 29th season as a Division I head basketball coach. “We've been making steady progress. With this group we can climb to that next level.”
That next level is a step or so higher from where the Tigers are accustomed to landing in the Colonial Athletic Association standings. Since joining the league seven years ago the Tigers have been hovering near the middle of the pack. Last year, Towson finished 9th in the 12-team race.
“We want to break out of that mold where we're scoring 67 points a game and giving up 67 points a game,” says Kennedy. “We've got the right mix of players now that can crank this up on offense and also play solid defense.”
Kennedy wants Towson to be a CAA contender in 2008-09.
“When you look at this group you feel optimistic,” Kennedy says. “I've never had a team with such depth up front - seven guys. Combined with the diversity we have in the backcourt we've got a legitimate shot to challenge for a much higher finish in the league.”
The departed C.C. Williams provided the Tigers with consistent play here the last two years. His graduation leaves a void but Kennedy is sure newcomers Brian Morris and Troy Franklin plus veteran Vernon Carr have it covered.
Morris, a 6-6 sophomore, sat out last season after transferring from Richmond where he started 23 games at point for the Spiders as a freshman. He led Richmond in minutes played (930/31.0), assists (85), steals (30) and three-point baskets (44) during the 2006-07 campaign.
“Brian has come here with a tremendous confidence and determination to not only play the point but be a leader in what we're trying to accomplish,” says Kennedy.
Morris' size should certainly create match up problems for opponents.
Franklin, the only first-year freshman on the squad this season, hails from nearby Our Lady of Mount Carmel. He's expected to cause a different kind of headache for opponents with his quickness. The 5-11 guard was a unanimous selection for First Team All-Metro honors after leading the Cougars to a pair of MIAA titles while scoring 1,311 career points.
“Troy has one speed ? extremely hard and he gives us much needed speed and quickness in the backcourt,” Kennedy says. “Those abilities are going to be especially important on defense.”
Carr, a 6-1 senior, is returning from last year. He made eight starts in 30 appearances. He had to deal with a shooting slump that he has worked through. He is the most experienced of the point guards.
There's an abundance of experience and talent at the off guard. Josh Thornton, a 6-2 junior who averaged a team high 13.2 ppg last year, returns. He is Towson's main outside threat and one of the top three-point shooters in the CAA with a .429 clip from beyond the arc.
“Moving that line back doesn't affect him much,” notes Kennedy of Thornton whose 67 treys paced the Tigers to a school record 220 team makes from long range last year. “Josh is working hard to improve in other areas as well as defensively. Right now, he's one of our go-to guys.”
Two seniors, 6-1 Tim Crossin and 6-3 Rocky Coleman, give Towson outstanding depth at this position. Both have been starters during their careers. Crossin is always a deep threat whenever he has the ball in his hands. Coleman has developed a reputation as one of the squad's top defenders.
“The up tempo style this year will play more into Rocky's strengths,” says Kennedy. “Tim is shooting the ball much better and has his touch back.”
Bolstering the backcourt are senior Ryan Kannegieter and 6-4 sophomore Jimmy Smith, a transfer from Colorado State. Kannegieter is a walk-on whose practice habits have endeared him to the coaching staff. Smith, a combo guard, has excellent size and has proven to be one of Towson's best defensive players.
The talent at the small forward is plentiful. Competition for playing time at the wing should be keen with sophomores Jarrel Smith and David Brewster plus redshirt freshman Rick Brown in the hunt. Smith is a transfer from Colorado State. Brewster transferred to Towson from Richmond. Brown sat out last year to focus on academics.
“Jarrel, at 6-7, can play either forward spot,” says Kennedy. “He gained experience while he was at Colorado State. He's very hungry, a terrific mid-range shooter and doesn't make a lot of mistakes. He gives you the same numbers every night.”
Brewster was a starter at Richmond in his freshman year when he played in 13 of the first 14 games before leaving the Spiders' program.
“David can play any one of four positions,” says Kennedy. “He's an impact player. He's an outstanding shooter and gives us another weapon on the perimeter.”
Brown was a highly recruited freshman out of Harrisburg, Pa. His 6-5, 225 pound frame allows him to be effective farther underneath the basket too.
“His strength is going to create real match up problems for people,” says Kennedy. “He's one of those undersized players who can play on the block.”
Second leading scorer and top rebounder, 6-8 senior Junior Hairston, is back. Hairston jumped off to an outstanding start to the 2007-08 season. He was among the nation's leading rebounders, averaging double figures for much of the season until a nagging back injury slowed him down. He finished with a 12.0 scoring average and an 8.9 clip off the boards.
“Junior is a big key for us,” says Kennedy. “He's got to stay healthy. He was plagued with injuries last year. He certainly has the potential to be a first team All-Conference guy.”
Joining Hairston down low is 6-8 junior Calvin Lee, a transfer from Allegany College of Maryland where he averaged 14.8 ppg and 9.6 rpg during his two-year junior college career.
“Calvin is improving constantly,” says Kennedy. “He's very athletic, fundamentally sound and shoots very well. He's got a long reach. He'll fit into our defensive scheme nicely.”
The talent pool is deep in veterans at the post position. If 6-8 senior Tommy Breaux can rejoin the squad for 2008-09 and stand with 6-7 senior Tony Durant and 6-7 sophomore Robert Nwankwo Towson's prospects for success increase handsomely.
“Having Tommy back in the lineup would be huge for us,” says Kennedy. Breaux was sidelined all of last year with a foot injury he received in the 2007 football season while playing wide receiver for Towson's football team.
Breaux's absence offered more opportunity for Durant, who started 23 games in the middle averaging 8.7 ppg and 4.6 rpg.
Nwankwo is a developing player with a lot of potential. He's the Tigers' top shot blocker who is always around the ball.
