Summer basketball practice update

[mat1992 2,254]

Checked out a two-hour+ practice at the old Towson Center. It really doesn't matter if they practice in Burdick, where there still is a lot of construction, the TC or SECU, basketball is basketball. But when it's at the Towson Center, nostalgia goes through my mind. I remember sitting in the bleachers upstairs watching Kurk Lee and Devin Boyd in 1989. I was coming from a junior college setting, watching guys like Jay Bias and Terrence Jacobs (who would come in 1990-91) play for a great Allegany Community College team to checking out legit D1 basketball.

Pat Skerry is the fifth coach I've covered after Terry Truax, Mike Jaskulski, Michael Hunt and Pat Kennedy. That's a lot considering coaches like Dick Filbert, Phil Albert, Gordy Combs, Mike Gottlieb, Roger Erricker, Frank O., and others have lasted 20+ years. Towson has not really gone through a lot of coaching changes in most sports since I arrived in the fall of 1989-except in men's basketball. Skerry is about to enter his seventh season, which should make him third after Truax and Vince Angotti in terms of longevity, at least in the modern era and that would make him the second-longest tenured coach in D1.

Enough of the nostalgia. Let's get to the team. They are gearing up for another Canada trip (Skerry's second) in about two and a half weeks. Deshaun Moreman (hip) will sit it out though he's close to being ready and was shooting on the side. We spoke after practice, though my app only caught a few minutes, so most of the talk I'll have to paraphrase.

https://goravens.ca/events/2017-18-mbb-vs-towson-aug-717ncaa-can-shootout/

Here's one Skerry quote

"We still want to spend time on skill work and strength and conditioning. We'd like to turn the ball over less and have less fouling. There are three ways to score: 1)Free throws. 2)Layups/Off rebounds. 3)Shooting. We did two very well. One of them we didn't (shooting). We're playing a little bit differently (more pressing)."

Everybody wants to know about the freshmen and I'll just say be patient. Last year, I had no idea if Justin Gorham was going to contribute and it took him time, but he finally started playing more at the end of the season. He also started at 205 pounds and lost his father in pre-season. Ended up at 220 and is now 234. Confidence is a lot higher and if he gets to around 240, I can see him fill in at center and power forward. He could even start but Eddie Keith (now at 237) is likely to start at the 4 this season as the team will go smaller and quicker.

Another guy who I thought would have an impact was Zane Martin. It also took him some time but he's arguably the team's best scorer, up there with Morsell. Just needs to continue to work on his handle and shot, which isn't bad. He can also play some point guard if needed.

The freshmen all have their attributes. Travis Ingram is very fast with the ball and super athletic. He's also very thin. Ok shooter. Could thrive in the press but with all the pick and rolls in today's game, a thin guard often gets eaten up by bigs. Because he's not really a point guard, he's a candidate to redshirt but it's way too early for that. Let's see how he plays in practice and Canada.

I like Jeff Prophete, though he had some issues defensively in the scrimmage and has a weird-looking shot. He definitely can get in the lane and we need a backup point guard (though Van Rolle is much-improved. The walk-on might play some this season). It will be interesting to see how he progresses because he definitely has the size (6-2, 190)

I like Quentin Drayton, the 6-5 wing from Bowie. He has a nice soft shot and pretty good size at 6-5, 190 (has added 10+ pounds already). Needs work on his handle and defense. But with Morsell and McNeill, there's not a lot of room at the 3. With an emphasis on better shooting, I could certainly see him getting some PT this season.

Starr looks a little better and leaner at the point. He needs to be a little more aggressive because let's face it, the team will need to replace the scoring (and rebounding) of Moto and John Davis. I don't know who the backup is going to be. Could be Prophete, Martin or Rolle. That's what Canada is there for along with preseason practice in September.

Alex Thomas is a big key. They need him to be more aggressive this season. More rebounds, more points and more tenacity. Also needs to stay on the floor and not foul. This is why it's going to be very important that Dennis Tunstall and Gorham play a lot of key minutes this season. I see Thomas as a guy who faces the basket better and can shoot the 3 (a bit). His back to the basket moves need to be more polished and done with more authority.

Tunstall is still thin at 213 and he just doesn't seem to have the frame to get more than 220. I think he'll have to play some center but that's only in certain matchups. He's better suited for power forward and being used during the press. But he's so athletic and long, they have to find at least 15mpg for him.

We also chatted about recruiting and with four ships left, Skerry expects to sign another point guard as well as a possible juco and grad transfer for next season. With four seniors leaving, he'd like two more players that can start along with Duquesne trasnfer Nakeye Sanders and then Martin, McNeill, or one of the three freshmen to come on. Plus I think Gorham is going to be a legit starter either this season or next.

Still waiting on one more team to fill the schedule. Looks like they'll host Frostburg St. as part of one of the tournaments (assume it's the one in Florida).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Moleman 1]

Looking forward to the season. Any chance ordinary fans can catch a practice sometime between now and Nov 1st?..

Last season, I was both surprised and impressed by how Keith's skill set developed. In '15-'16, he didn't seem like he was going to go anywhere, but he really contributed more & more as last season went on. Ditto for him bulking into a hoss - not many would want to have that freight train bearing down on them..

How did McNeil look, Matt?

 

Edited July 18, 2017 by Moleman

[mat1992 2,254]

Most practices are closed to the public.

As for McNeill, he's a little bigger but he's kind of the same player he was last season. Streaky, pretty good defensively and even-keeled. This is his fourth season so he know what's to expect. I don't expect him to change his role this season. If he's making shots, he deserves more time, especially if Morsell is struggling. If they press more, he will certainly play a pivotal role.