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2008-09
Summer Basketball Preview
Mount Looks to Defend NEC Title
After a thrilling late season surge that culminated with the
first NCAA Tournament berth in eight years last season, the
2008-09 Mount St. Mary’s men’s basketball team has big shoes to
fill. The cupboard is far from bare, however, as seven of the
top eight in last year’s rotation return as the team looks to
become the first Mount team to win back-to-back NEC titles.
With a team built on hard work and defense, head coach Milan
Brown loosened the reins on the offensive end midway through the
season last year, helping lead the late-season push for the NCAA
Tournament. The Mount averaged 75.7 points over the final 16
games of the season, posting an 11-5 record over that stretch.
Prior to the mid-season change in philosophy, the Mount was
averaging just 63.6 points per game.
"The switch to playing more uptempo was definitely an added
boost to our offensive production last season," said Brown. "We
will definitely continue to explore early options in playing
transition basketball. Also, our halfcourt execution and shot
selection will be key to improving our offensive output."
On the defensive end, the Mount continues to be one of the top
defensive teams in the Northeast Conference. Last season, the
Mount led the NEC in scoring defense and field goal percentage
defense in league games. The Mount’s aggressiveness on the
defensive end helped the squad hold the opposition to 67.7
points per game for the year.
In the NEC championship, the Mount held Sacred Heart to 55
points and 29.1 percent shooting from the field to earn the
school’s first NEC title since 1999. In the Mount’s four
postseason victories, the team held the opposition to 62.5
points per game and 38.8 percent from the field.
"Defense will again be the staple of our program this season,"
said Brown. "We are confident that good defensive teams win
basketball games. Hopefully this year we can clean up a few
problem areas and be an even better team on the defensive end."
One thing the Mount will have to contend with this year is the
label of favorite. After three straight fourth-place finishes
and last year’s NCAA bid, the Mount will not be overlooked on
anyone’s schedule this season.
"We are excited about being thought of as one of the top tier
teams in the Northeast Conference. It’s been our mindset in
building our program to get to this point and we forward to the
work ahead of us to stay at the top of the league," said
Brown.
Last year’s historical season saw the Mount finish with a 19-15
record, the second-most wins by a Mount team since joining NCAA
Division I in 1988-89. It was also the Mount’s first winning
season since the 1996-97 team finished 14-13. In addition, the
Mount was 11-7 in NEC play, the third-straight season with a
.500 or better mark in league play.
Leading the way for the Mount in 2008-09 will be dynamic point
guard Jeremy Goode. The 5-9 junior led the Mount in scoring
(14.5), assists (5.5) and steals (1.97) last season, averaging a
team-high 33.2 minutes per game. Goode was at his best down the
stretch, scoring in double-figures in all five of the Mount’s
postseason games, including a 23-point effort in the 18-point
victory over top-seeded Robert Morris in the NEC semifinals.
In just two seasons at the Mount, Goode has accumulated
impressive career numbers. He is already 56th all-time at the
Mount with 791 career points while his 337 assists are 12th on
the all-time list. Goode dished out 182 assists last year, the
most-ever by a Mount player in the Division I era. In addition,
he went to the free throw line 256 times last season, the
fifth-best mark in Mount history and the most since John
O’Reilly went to the line 263 times in 1960-61.
"With improvements from the three-point line and with his free
throw percentage, we are excited about this upcoming season for
Jeremy," said Brown. "We feel that we have one of the top
players in the league who continues to improve on his game. I am
also proud of the fact that Jeremy’s focus is on winning
championships and not just on becoming a great player."
Backing up Goode at the point this year will be freshman Lamar
Trice. Good at penetrating the lane and creating scoring
opportunities for teammates. Last year, Trice averaged eight
points, eight assists and three steals while leading Imhotep
Charter to the Pennsylvania State semifinals and a 27-4 record.
"Lamar will provide us with added quickness in our backcourt and
his ability to distribute the basketball as well as pressure the
ball defensively will allow us to play uptempo basketball when
Jeremy needs a rest," said Brown.
Despite the loss of sharpshooter Chris Vann to graduation, the
Mount’s strength lies in its wing players. Leading the list of
key returnees are junior starter Will Holland, junior Kelly
Beidler and sophomore Jean Cajou.
Holland started all 34 games last year at the three position in
the lineup, averaging 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds on the year in
26.5 minutes per game. Holland was second on the team with 56
three-point baskets and was third on the team with 30 steals.
The 6-4 swingman opened last year with a 25-point effort against
George Washington and later added 22 points (6-of-9 from
three-point range) in the Mount’s eight-point loss at Oregon.
"We are looking for Will to be one of the better shooters in the
Northeast Conference and provide us with a long range threat
again," said Brown. "He also gives us rebounding from the wing
position as well as the ability to take smaller players inside.
We are looking for Will to be one of our most steady players
this year."
Beidler came on strong down the stretch last season, averaging
15.0 points in the Mount’s three-game Northeast Conference
Tournament run. The 6-5 forward pulled down a career-best 15
rebounds in the Mount’s NCAA Opening Round win over Coppin
State. For the year, Beidler averaged 7.0 points and 4.7
rebounds in 26 games while hitting 45.0 percent from the floor.
"Kelly was able to show in spurts down the stretch just how good
and versatile he can be," said Brown. "His ability to finish in
transition, rebound the basketball on both ends and make timely
jump shots should make him a very important piece to our puzzle
for the next two years. He should be one of the best defenders
in the Northeast Conference. I believe with added minutes, he
could prove to be a special player."
Cajou was a key figure in the Mount’s NCAA Tournament run,
earning NEC Tournament MVP honors after averaging 16.0 points
while hitting 54.5 percent from the floor in the Mount’s three
NEC tourney games. Cajou, who was averaging just 3.3 points and
shooting 24.7 percent from the floor 19 games into last season,
came on strong late in the year, averaging 12.0 points over the
final 15 games of the season. He scored in double figures in
seven of the Mount’s final eight games of the season, topped by
a career-high 27 in the Mount’s win over Monmouth.
"Jean will have the opportunity to play more of his natural
position at the two-guard this season," said Brown. "He also
showed down the stretch last season how good a player he can be.
His work ethic is his biggest asset and ability to play the
point and the two-guard spot makes us a more versatile team. We
love his mindset of being a lockdown defender. I’m hoping that
this season will help launch Jean to have a special career."
Sophomore Pierre Brown will also be challenging for minutes at
the wing spot for the Mount. Brown appeared in 11 games last
year, averaging 0.9 points and 0.5 rebounds while hitting
5-of-12 (.417) from the filed in limited action. Brown possesses
a good touch from the outside while he is strong enough to get
in the lane as well.
"Pierre has worked hard in the offseason both on his game and
his body," said Brown. "He gives us a strong, athletic wing who
can score the basketball as well as guard the other team’s best
player."
Brown has plenty to choose from when it comes to the frontcourt.
Returning starters Sam Atupem and Markus Mitchell along with
sophomore Shawn Atupem provide a strong nucleus for the Mount’s
frontline.
Sam Atupem averaged 7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds last year while
leading the team with 49 blocks. The Mount’s top low-post
scorer, Atupem scored a season-best 17 points in the Mount’s
home win over Long Island. He was the Mount’s third-leading
scorer in NEC games, averaging 8.4 points in league play while
hitting 65-105 (61.9%) from the field.
"We are extremely proud of the progress Sam has made in his
career and are expecting a great senior season from him," said
Brown. "He has the ability to score from 15 feet and in and we
may also let him showcase his three-point range this year. He
again will be our number one option in the low post and with his
great touch around the basket, he should lead us in field goal
percentage."
Mitchell started all 34 games last year, averaging 5.4 points
and a team-best 5.9 rebounds per contest. The 6-7 forward
tallied career highs of 16 points and 16 rebounds for his first
career double-double at Wagner last year. The 16 rebounds were
the most by a Mount player in 13 seasons. Mitchell posted five
games with double-figure rebounds while converting 53.7 percent
from the field.
"Markus is the glue to our team both on and off the court," said
Brown. "He leads by example and has garnered the respect of all
of our players and the coaching staff. He is the anchor to our
defense and should be able to provide us with more scoring
this year."
Sophomore Shawn Atupem gave the Mount a big lift off the bench
down the stretch, averaging 7.6 points over the final 11 games
of the season, hitting 59.3 percent from the field. For the
year, Atupem averaged 4.2 points and 2.3 rebounds while leading
the team in field goal percentage (55.7%). In the NEC
Championship game, he scored 12 points off the bench and came
back to score 10 points in the Mount’s NCAA Opening Round win
over Coppin State.
"Shawn was able to show flashes at the end of last season of how
good he can possibly be," said Brown. "He can score with his
back to the basket and has a great first step when facing the
basket. He’s worked very hard at improving his strength and
should provide a huge scoring boost for our frontcourt. This
year, we are also looking for improved athleticism from Shawn to
help us on defense and in transition."
Sophomore Tayvon Jackson, redshirt freshmen John Schwarz and
Danny Thompson and true freshman Jacolby Wells will battle for
time up front as well for the Mount this season.
Jackson averaged 0.9 points and 1.2 rebounds in 21 games off the
bench last year for the Mountaineers. A shot blocking presence
in the paint, he had four points and three rebounds in the
Mount’s win at Maine.
"Tayvon should be able to provide us with energy both on the
defensive end and on the offensive glass," said Brown. "His
ability to block shots will help our defense and his jump shot
should provide spacing on the offensive end. I am very impressed
with how hard he has worked to improve and we are looking
forward to seeing the results."
Schwarz, who averaged 19 points and 13 rebounds his senior
season at Perry Hall High School, is a solid low post scorer.
Thompson, who underwent ACL surgery on his right knee last
September, has great hands and the ability to finish around the
basket. Thompson averaged 15 points and 11 boards as a senior at
CH Flowers High School. Wells averaged 15 points, nine rebounds
and five blocks as a senior at Greensville County High School
this past season.
"We think that with a year under John’s belt, he should feel
much more comfortable with our system and provide some scoring
punch for us in the post. We’re still monitoring Danny’s knee
very closely and hopefully with a full recovery, he should
definitely be able to help us with a presence in the paint. We
are excited about the athleticism that Jacolby brings to our
frontcourt. With added strength, he will be able to make his
mark in our program."
Walk-ons Kevin Jones and Ed Kenny are also expected to be back
this season. Jones appeared in five games last season, hitting a
pair of free throws in the Mount’s win at Fairleigh Dickinson.
Kenny also appeared in five games for the Mount last year.
As usual, the Mount will face a daunting non-conference schedule
in preparation for the conference slate. Road games at Virginia
Tech (ACC), Georgetown (Big East), Penn State (Big 10), La Salle
(Atlantic 10) and George Mason (CAA) highlight the slate. In
addition, the Mount opens the season at longtime rival Loyola
and also has non-conference road games at Patriot League members
American and Lafayette. The home non-conference schedule
features Boston University, Maine, and future NEC member Bryant.
"We really wanted to have a competitive non-conference schedule
to prepare us for tough league play," said Brown. After having
such a positive ending to our season last year, we wanted to
challenge our players with a quality schedule to help them get
better. We understand that the schedule is tough, but we also
know that it could help set us up for another special season."
The defending NEC champions will not have an easy road in trying
to earn a second-straight NCAA Tournament appearance. However,
with a solid core of returnees with plenty of big-game
experience, the Mount has a chance to be the first Northeast
Conference school to repeat as conference champion since Rider
won back-to-back titles in 1993 and 1994.
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