mat1992

https://x.com/towson_taf/status/1780595066903675136?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

Sun story on new QB Carlos Davis by Jake https://www.baltimoresun.com/2024/02/23/carlos-davis-towson-football/

Loyola doesn't want to play us and I'm not sure it's worth playing them. They are a pretty terrible program right now and their move to the PL compounded that.

The season is over. I'm not going to go over it ad nauseum. We did so in every freakin' game. I don't expect a postseason game, because why we played in Canada. It would be one thing to play the freshmen, but they've already played enough save for Jaiden Cole. Schedule: It will be interesting to see what the schedule is going to look like in 2024-25. According to KenPom, Towson was 193rd in Strength of Schedule overall and 141st in non-conference schedule. Our point guard situation was a mess going into the non-conference schedule with Hicks getting hurt (again), D-Will trying to learn the position as a r-freshman and Lowery as the backup point guard. Hopefully, they add one more point guard because Williamson is ready to run the show. So let's talk about next season (again). I know I brought that up earlier this season in this thread because I was excited about the freshmen coming in for next year's class and that I wasn't really pumped about this current team. Needs: 1)Point guard or combo guard with size. Kobe Rodgers (6-3, 180) is my ideal point guard or combo guard type. Tall, athletic, defends, decent shooter (14 of 33 from 3pt), but can get to the basket at will (51.6% FG, 4.6rpg, 79.5% FT). 2)Replace Charles at center. Need a starter or backup who can play 15+ mpg. Caleb Embeya (6-9, 225) is one of the most talented bigs we've brought in maybe ever. It sounds like hyperbole but I think guys like Charles are fine. They overachieve at 6-7, but having a more lengthy and athletic big with skill will be fun to have. He's going to have his ups and downs but he will play right away. But we desperately need a veteran big and more of an upgrade from Paar to back him up or start over him. http://www.hudl.com/v/2NgPA2 3)Develop a more efficient offense. We need more willing passers. If Tarke is going to play significant minutes, he needs to get the ball to the shooters and scorers (Tejada, DWill, Embeya, etc.). But let's face it, they either need to find a transfer who is an upgrade. Tarke does bring defense and size, but I don't know if he lost a step or needs to get in a tad better shape. He just doesn't go by people like I thought he could. There needs to be at least one more combo and a true point guard, who can push for minutes. One has to be a 38%+ three-point shooter. I've been saying this for years, but I know the small lineup (not that small or four-guard lineup didn't work late in the game against Charleston, I'm not sure having Jones or Sulaiman in the game would have meant much. But this team needs to run more. I don't know if that was the final Adjusted Tempo stat of 357, but there's no need to play stall ball and milk the clock until there's 3 seconds ball anymore: Williamson, Ndefo, Lowery, Watson, Embeya, May and even Tarke can push the ball and run the floor. I'd be working on transition all summer because it was not good in terms of making the right pass and guys filling the lane. We need bigs with agility and if you have Embeya up to 225 or 230 with a bulked up Tejada at 230+, the offense should be able to run smoother. They need better passers though and the biggest issue on offense for Tyler is that the ball stops with him. I don't mind it at times because he's the only weapon on the court at times. But next season, he, Tarke and others need to make the extra pass. We should be showing them film of Charleston's offense the entire off-season. That's the way we need to at least attempt to play. Get the ball down low and if it's not available. quickly move the ball to the open player. 4)Figure out the wing position and who is going to play the 4. Yes, they also need to add a transfer 4, 5 and 1. You have Tarke mainly at the 2 and then Christian May (6-5, 210), Marcus Watson (6-6, 215), Mekhi Lowery (6-7, 205), Tyler Tejada (6-8 1/2, 220) and Chike Ndefo (6-6, 190) They all have some attributes in terms of athleticism, length, defensive ability, etc. Ndefo is known more as an excellent defender, but he's been putting up some big numbers lately (26 points and 33 pts. recently). But there is no room at the moment barring a few things. I have to think that Tejada bulks up and moves to the 4. He was a center in HS and his lateral quickness isn't bad, but you can see that May and Lowery just moves better side to side. Lowery needs at least 15 pounds and an improved shot, but I think he plays everwhere. That leaves May and this is a huge summer for him to get that offense going. Watson, if healthy and he'll have nearly a year of rehab by the time he practices over the summer, if he's near 100%, he's a freak athlete like Lowery. A much better shooter (I know that's not saying much), but whether he fits in or not, who knows, He needs the ball, that's for sure. 5)Who is returning? Not sure, but no CT, no Paar and Radhir Hicks (concussion) may not return. Jaiden Cole is about 20 pounds away from being an impact player and needs a healthy summer. WIth 100 wings, it appeared that he was attempting to play the point. The shot that looked so good when he was just working on the side is now a high floater.. After that, we can all guess the players, but I don't want to speculate quite yet until I get more info about who is coming back and who is not. Also, NIL is always important to retain players but also to add a few in the portal. C Embeya PF Sulaiman, Jones, Coleman SF Tejada, Lowery, Ndefo SG Watson, Tarke, May, J. Cole PG Williamson

As mentioned before, we're playing South Carolina. Last time I checked, they were in the SEC. If I didn't mention it in the Eigenbrot interview or any of the Summer Practice reports, then I apologize.

So Nov 16 will feature a triple header https://towsontigers.com/news/2024/7/26/general-towson-athletics-ready-for-november-16th-tripleheader.aspx

Yeah we’re not a very tall Dline, especially with the 6-4 Gibbs gone. But the weights are usually way off in the website. I’ll also have a clearer sense of the depth chart when I see them practice in a few weeks, especially on defense. I’ll be curious to see where some of the freshmen fit in because Pete said he will play them if they’re good enough to be out there. Expectations are that we’re going to be better, but tough ass schedule early on.

Offer to DB/WR Cameron Nti 6-2 180 from Germantown https://x.com/camronnti/status/1816550406081905097?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

A 3-star 6-7 local TE/DE https://x.com/jt_taggart/status/1749481286580744468?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

More from media day https://static.caasports.com/custompages/2024 CAAFB Press Box/Media Day/Towson.mp3

Pete from the CAA media day https://x.com/caafootball/status/1816499201989374194?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

Offer from a 6-10 juco Isaac Hawkins from South Carolina who went to the College of Southern Idaho. Spent two years on an LDS Mission. Not 100% sure he’s 2025 https://x.com/isaachawkins16/status/1816296163768775149?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

Offer to NC CB Kemarion Massey 6-1 165 https://x.com/coachdeese/status/1816261855255449998?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

Recent addition to the roster, WR Raj Hillhouse from Aberdeen, who played Juco ball in New York. Very fast seems like a Shane Leatherbury-type at 5-9, 175 https://www.hudl.com/profile/13378040/Raj-Hillhouse

I wouldn’t really pay too much attention to the preseason polls. We return most of our key players on offense and are adding a dynamic quarterback. Second season in a new system with a lot of weapons on offense and I feel they should be a top five team. Defense still a major concern due to the secondary but the new linebackers will help.

Yes last season for Delaware

Transfer coming in. Guard from Samford https://samfordsports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/masyn-marchbanks/8729

Four picked on preseason all-conference team but no Dan Volpe https://x.com/towson_fb/status/1816098659664105660?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

Picked ninth https://x.com/caafootball/status/1816097752121541033?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

Pretty solid commit for 2025 https://x.com/raoul_000/status/1815882569457746111?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

https://x.com/gohcollective/status/1815745763017712053?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

DE James Steel Bear, DE https://x.com/steelfb14/status/1815549892623827190?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

There might be a fourth one because this was fun to watch, Nick Timberlake, Charles Thompson, Jason Gibson, Four McGlynn, Terry Nolan and Cam Holden all returned to play some five-on-five action (not JG for obvious reasons, but he was there). Nick is on his way to Portugal, Four is still playing overseas (Indonesia), Cam is in England, Terry and Gibby are coaching and Charles is still searching for another look. They had enough players to go 5x5x5 for two 15 minute periods. When one team scored, they were able to run it back but against a different five on defense so nobody really got exhausted, which was good for the alums, who were probably rusty and were all not in basketball shape. But there was also no real transition and another reason, I'd like to see one more practice. I think there are still issues at center. Caleb Embeya should be able to solid defensively even at 6-9, 220+. He's very long, has good bounce and is tough to shoot over. But you can see the difference between Charles and all other centers on Towson, especially on the defensive end. Charles is also 250+ pounds so he's a beast on both ends. As we know finishing was not his strongsuit, but he did finish well a couple of time, BUT went 1-4 from the line. I wasn't judging the alums, who scored the least amount of points compared to the black and gold teams. That's a good thing that the young guys bested the older guys (not that old) and while Four looked tremendous on offense, he's never been Gary Payton on D so Dyland and Hicks were able to penetrate at times. I can only imagine when those guys will able to get some pace because it will be tougher on some of those guys and those who are not in great hoops shape. Embeya will have two more months to work on his back-to-the-basket game and everything else. They could go small with Coleman, Jones or Sulaiaman at center. Samb is adequate defensively but thin. Jones struggled to finish some easy ones today though to his benefit, he's been sidelined or limited the last few weeks or so with various issues. Coleman has been the surprise both athletically and in terms of rebounds. He's just not as skilled as Jones or Sulaiman, who can at least shoot the three and are well over 30% from there. The key is Dylan Williamson. At times, he was sensational but he was also much quicker than 4. At other times, took some questionable shots and would say the same thing about Hicks, who was much better in the second part of the scrimmage. When the ball sticks with Williamson or Hicks in the game, the end result is usually going to be Dylan forcing up a last-second shot. When the ball moves, the end result is usually a May or Tejada open jumper. The end result is a lot better. Tarke is never going to be a 40% three-point shooter. He does have quick hands though I'd like to see him be a little more controlled on his drives and go right a bit more. He also tends to make some difficult no-look passes that don't always connect. Ndefo is the head-scratcher. He came in with a good defensive reputation but he's struggled at times playing down low or on the perimeter. His shot is actually pretty good, but he's not a threat to put the ball on the floor on drive. Again, pace of pay will help some of the guys who are big, athletic and can run the floor unlike previous combo forwards. Tejada is about 220, but a lot leaner. I'd like to see him and Lowery maybe have a little more chemistry on the offensive end. Mekhi is such a good passer and he's close to 210 (compared to around 200 last year) so you can see that he's less afraid of contact. He did not attempt a shot on the perimeter but drove to the basket several times. He also made BOTH free throws so that's a positive. I think he needs to be a little more aggressive offensively and that can help Tejada get some easier looks because teams will be all over him this season. He also has to take some better shots. I think this team's halfcourt offense without Charles is still a work in progress because the center spot is either Embeya or a less talented or vertically challenged veteran. That is still the biggest question mark going into preseason. They'll have to get more in sync by the fall. That's why I keep emphasizing pace. Dylan is arguably the team's best finisher either off the dribble or in transition. More quotes from PS coming up

Adding better three point shooters would help and I think May and Tejada are capable of making over 36% from three. Dylan is capable but not sure he’s there yet as a three point shooter even though he was lightning it up in practice. But sure, even though Ndefo has shown potential to be a pretty good three point shooter, he’s more for the future. They need a Conway-type off the bench who can get hot from three. Maybe that’s Cole with a few more pounds.