2011-2012 Towson Tigers Basketball Preview

Towson Tigers - Colonial Athletic Association

2010-11: 4-26, 0-18

2010-11 postseason: none

Coach: Pat Skerry (First year at Towson, 0-0 overall)  

Forget everything you knew about last year’s Towson team. That is the squad that went 4-26 overall and lost their last 19 games. Most of that team is gone, including the coach. What is left is a massive rebuilding project for new coach Pat Skerry. The former Pittsburgh assistant has quite the task at hand as Towson hopes to build a winner by the time their new arena opens in 2013.

Who’s Out:

Isaiah Philmore is the big loss. He opted to head to Xavier after the coaching change and will take his 15.3 points and 7.0 rebounds with him. Forward Braxton Dupree and guard Josh Brown were also double figure scorers last season and are now gone. The list continues with fellow starter Brian Morris. Even Dre Conner started ten games last season. That leaves one player returning who averaged over 13 minutes per game. It will be interesting to see how a 0-18 team rebuilds.

Who’s In:

But all is not lost, that is for sure. Coach Skerry has done a good job getting an influx of young talent, although a couple big transfers and the better recruiting class will not play until next season. But for now this group of newcomers will have to do. Kris Walden is just a freshman, but he has the makeup of a leader. He plays tough and he plays hard and this team needs players like him. Not the most talented player in this class, yet Walden will likely step into the starting point guard spot. Deon Jones, a 6-5 forward, is the most talented freshman. He is a fine athlete who can get up and down the floor. He is even a pretty good ball handler for a wing and he could spend some time bringing the ball up the court in a pinch. Will Adams and Christian Collins will need to provide some depth on the perimeter. The frontcourt adds redshirt freshmen Jamel Flash and Alex Giergen, junior college transfer Marcus Damas and true freshman Jervon Pressley. Damas is a lanky and versatile forward who will probably spend most of his time at the small forward position. Flash and Pressley are expected to battle for major minutes in the paint and at least one of them needs to be ready to see a lot of playing time from day one.

Final Projection:

Despite all of the turnover, this team has nowhere to go but up. By the time conference play begins, the rotation should be sorted and Coach Skerry will be sure that his team is playing tough defense. With Nwankwo spearheading the defensive effort in the paint and Polk leading the way on the other end of the floor, this is a Towson team that should improve on their 0-18 mark. That is not saying much, but this is still a major rebuilding project and the important thing for the Tigers is developing the young players that will eventually carry this team into respectability.

Projected Postseason Tournament: none

Projected Starting Five:

• Kris Walden, Freshman, Guard, DNP last season

• RaShawn Polk, Senior, Guard, 11.6 points per game

• Marcus Damas, Sophomore, Forward, DNP last season

• Erique Gumbs, Sophomore, Forward, 3.6 points per game

• Robert Nwankwo, Senior, Forward, DNP last season

By Joel Welser courtesy of www.CollegeSportsMadness.com
CollegeSports-fans.com Senior Basketball Writer

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