The Canada Trip

[mat1992 2,237]

So there's some very bad news and good news about this trip.

The first was that about three minutes into the opening game, Marcus Watson went up for a dunk and landed wrong, thus tearing his ACL. Devastating news of course. Not entirely shocking since his name wasn't mentioned and who knows how good or what type of player he could have been here. I thought he was a better shooter than his numbers showed, but shot selection was iffy and turnovers were a concern. He still has another year left but who knows what he'll do after this. The rest of the team somehow got it together and took care of business in the opening game. They went 5-0 on the trip and in the past, had more struggles. His loss also meant they had to use Mekhi Lowery at lot more in the backcourt since Ryan Conway (legal) and Jaiden Cole (injury) were out.

The good news is that Nendah Tarke will hopefully be on board in September when he gets cleared by the NCAA to play since Nicholls State is trying to claim that he attended class there (he didn't set foot on campus). The Sun story was posted on the General Board. He'll help as a playmaker, defender and is not a bad three-point shooter (33%). He's not Watson when it comes to athleticism, but can do some other things better. If Tarke doesn't play, well then it's a complete rebuild. With him, I think they can be a pretty good team. But not sure who the finisher will be on this squad. At this point, it's either May or Tarke. 

*There was a 24-second clock in Canada so even though they prepared for it, the offense wasn't quite as strong as the defense was. Ball movement was good, but it's tough getting used to the clock and it showed. Competition ranged from low D1 to D2. Last game, the team was tired and dug deep for the win, playing 5 games in 6 days. Had a 5-hour bus trip to Montreal.

The bottom line when talking to PS about this trip was that Lowery and Tejada really stepped up and played well. He said they wouldn't just play, but play "a lot". Lowery averaged 6ppg on 42% shooting, 64% FT, 7 rebs. 12 assists, 5 turnovers, 9 blocks and 9 steals in 26mpg. 

Tejada averaged 12ppg on 45% shooting, 34% 3pt, 50% FT, 5 rebs, 4 assists, 8 turnovers. 

*Sounds like May had a pretty good trip, but didn't shoot as well as he's capable of. Williamson shot well from 3pt, not great inside the arc. Defense still could be an issue, but he can play with Tarke, and play more off the ball. Without Watson, May is going to have to be "the guy" from the perimeter. 

*Hicks struggled as well from the field and took a lot of shots. His offense is certainly a concern. Could they start Tarke and Lowery? Doubt it but you could see that at some point and that's a hell of defensive backcourt.

*Sulaiman did just about everything well, but his outside shooting is still a question. He will play mostly power forward.

*Both Paars played well. Cole could actually see some time.

Some quotes from Pat Skerry:

"Defensively, this is a group that could create offense off our defense." Feels that this could be one of the best defensive teams he's had.

"Wanted us to take more three-pointers." Did say they took fewer mid-range two-pointers and more in the red zone (around the basket). Wanted to finish better, especially Messiah Jones, who had one great game on the trip (23pts). 

I'll say this. My last season at Towson was the 1991-92 season. In the first game that year, Devin Boyd broke his arm in the first half against Colorado after scoring 20 points. He was the ECC Player of the Year in the previous season. Everyone thought the season was over because he was out for the year. But a freshman named Terrence "Scooter" Alexander stepped up and they still ended up winning the ECC Tournament but had no automatic bid. Not saying Jaiden Cole is Scooter, but they were around the same size (6-3, 170) with incredible length and Cole is a better athlete (much better shooter). It's tough to rely on three freshmen off the bench, but this has a chance to be a very good class. 

[Chris Datres 424]

As always, we can't have nice things.  But at least this happened now rather than a few games into the season when a rotation has been set and people are settling into their roles.  At least there's plenty of time to get everyone adjusted and figure out a rotation.  This Canada trip came at a good time to get them some competition and allow the new guys to develop chemistry.

[Tiger93 299]

30 minutes ago, mat1992 said:

So there's some very bad news and good news about this trip.

The first was that about three minutes into the opening game, Marcus Watson went up for a dunk and landed wrong, thus tearing his ACL. Devastating news of course. Not entirely shocking since his name wasn't mentioned and who knows how good or what type of player he could have been here. I thought he was a better shooter than his numbers showed, but shot selection was iffy and turnovers were a concern. He still has another year left but who knows what he'll do after this. The rest of the team somehow got it together and took care of business in the opening game. They went 5-0 on the trip and in the past, had more struggles. His loss also meant they had to use Mekhi Lowery at lot more in the backcourt since Ryan Conway (legal) and Jaiden Cole (injury) were out.

The good news is that Nendah Tarke will hopefully be on board in September when he gets cleared by the NCAA to play since Nicholls State is trying to claim that he attended class there (he didn't set foot on campus). The Sun story was posted on the General Board. He'll help as a playmaker, defender and is not a bad three-point shooter (33%). He's not Watson when it comes to athleticism, but can do some other things better. If Tarke doesn't play, well then it's a complete rebuild. With him, I think they can be a pretty good team. But not sure who the finisher will be on this squad. At this point, it's either May or Tarke. 

*There was a 24-second clock in Canada so even though they prepared for it, the offense wasn't quite as strong as the defense was. Ball movement was good, but it's tough getting used to the clock and it showed. Competition ranged from low D1 to D2. Last game, the team was tired and dug deep for the win, playing 5 games in 6 days. Had a 5-hour bus trip to Montreal.

The bottom line when talking to PS about this trip was that Lowery and Tejada really stepped up and played well. He said they wouldn't just play, but play "a lot". Lowery averaged 6ppg on 42% shooting, 64% FT, 7 rebs. 12 assists, 5 turnovers, 9 blocks and 9 steals in 26mpg. 

Tejada averaged 12ppg on 45% shooting, 34% 3pt, 50% FT, 5 rebs, 4 assists, 8 turnovers. 

*Sounds like May had a pretty good trip, but didn't shoot as well as he's capable of. Williamson shot well from 3pt, not great inside the arc. Defense still could be an issue, but he can play with Tarke, and play more off the ball. Without Watson, May is going to have to be "the guy" from the perimeter. 

*Hicks struggled as well from the field and took a lot of shots. His offense is certainly a concern. Could they start Tarke and Lowery? Doubt it but you could see that at some point and that's a hell of defensive backcourt.

*Sulaiman did just about everything well, but his outside shooting is still a question. He will play mostly power forward.

*Both Paars played well. Cole could actually see some time.

Some quotes from Pat Skerry:

"Defensively, this is a group that could create offense off our defense." Feels that this could be one of the best defensive teams he's had.

"Wanted us to take more three-pointers." Did say they took fewer mid-range two-pointers and more in the red zone (around the basket). Wanted to finish better, especially Messiah Jones, who had one great game on the trip (23pts). 

I'll say this. My last season at Towson was the 1991-92 season. In the first game that year, Devin Boyd broke his arm in the first half against Colorado after scoring 20 points. He was the ECC Player of the Year in the previous season. Everyone thought the season was over because he was out for the year. But a freshman named Terrence "Scooter" Alexander stepped up and they still ended up winning the ECC Tournament but had no automatic bid. Not saying Jaiden Cole is Scooter, but they were around the same size (6-3, 170) with incredible length and Cole is a better athlete (much better shooter). It's tough to rely on three freshmen off the bench, but this has a chance to be a very good class. 

If there is a year where Skerry has to give-in to youthful mistakes and play freshmen more to help the team have a chance of winning later in the season we seem more equipped talent wise than usual to do it. 

[Blounge 521]

Great, glad we had him for a whole 5 minutes. Hopefully the football team is good to distract us from this mess that is the men's bball team

[TuTigers2012 1,071]

Ahhh good old Towson.  Figured there was an injury but was hoping it would be minor.  Oh well let’s get the canon ready and hope we can make it to everyone’s f favorite number 16

[Blazer49 186]

Seton Hall message boards screaming KARMA, Towson message boards screaming SOT.  Like someone mentioned earlier at least it happened now giving time to figure things out. 

[TuTigers2012 1,071]

5 minutes ago, Blazer49 said:

Seton Hall message boards screaming KARMA, Towson message boards screaming SOT.  Like someone mentioned earlier at least it happened now giving time to figure things out. 

It is SOT but in a way different.  In the skerry era we have few major injuries. Other issues but not those…. 

[TSU88 1,074]

Life happens. To borrow a cliche, next man up. Whatever chance we had of being a legitimate contender for the conference title is realistically gone, so Skerry might as well play the youngsters and see what we got. Pressure really mounts on Skerry, I would think, as he only has 2 years left on his contract after this upcoming season, if I’m not mistaken 

[TuTigers2012 1,071]

4 minutes ago, TSU88 said:

Life happens. To borrow a cliche, next man up. Whatever chance we had of being a legitimate contender for the conference title is realistically gone, so Skerry might as well play the youngsters and see what we got. Pressure really mounts on Skerry, I would think, as he only has 2 years left on his contract after this upcoming season, if I’m not mistaken 

Which would have to be 1, cannot have a lame duck coach going into his last season or two without any commitment one way or another.  (ie PK)

[TSU88 1,074]

6 minutes ago, TuTigers2012 said:

Which would have to be 1, cannot have a lame duck coach going into his last season or two without any commitment one way or another.  (ie PK)

Well, I think we all know the University is not going to fire Skerry and have to pay him off plus pay his successor. He’s either going to get an extension or take a trip to lame duck city, a la PK & Ambrose. With a new AD & University President, I’m guessing an extension is questionable, at best, unless he wins a conference tournament, which is extraordinarily unlikely this coming season. Hell, opposing coaches can probably already portray him to recruits as a lame duck, as his contract expires before any incoming freshman would complete 4 years at TU. Fortunately, that’s not as big an issue when it comes to portal transfers