The Hawk

Issue date: 11/10/06 Section: Sports

Get ready for the men's basketball 2006-2007 season.

As if replacing four starters, the top three scorers, and the entire backcourt from last year isn't daunting enough, Phil Martelli also has to train the people hired to help him.

Doug Overton, a former LaSalle standout and NBA player, and David Duda, the head coach at Widener over the last eight years, join Martelli and 8th year assistant coach Mark Bass in an effort to ready the most inexperienced group in recent Hawk history to be thrust into NCAA play.

"Dave and Doug have been great in practice, but our meetings are longer," Martelli said. "I'm careful about making sure that they understand the vocabulary and making sure that they understand our concepts for building a team. I take a lot of pride in preparing the coaches to coach in practice."

While the new coaches are still adjusting to team practices and drills, more than half of team's player rotation is still learning the basics of campus life. In addition to learning the proper way to shoot a jump shot, many of the players in the Hawks' rotation are still figuring out how to register for classes, and what to eat before a game.

But these newcomers to Hawk Hill aren't the only ones with questions. The uncertainty surrounding this team has left many their fans anxious to see what they can do. Judging by the recent Atlantic 10 Coaches' Poll, which picked them to finish eighth in the conference, these Hawks have a lot to prove.

"I think it's an indication that we have a lot of unknowns," said Martelli. "'Who are these freshmen? How quickly can they assimilate themselves into college basketball?"

At this point only Martelli can answer those questions, but so far he likes what he sees.

"The freshmen have come in here with their eyes wide open," he said. "Their bodies are prepared through work that they did in the summer. As a collective group, they bring a winning attitude and a defensive mindset, which is not what you usually find in young players.

"I would say that they're more like second semester freshman than first semester freshman right now. And I think that's a good sign."

The freshmen will need to employ that preparation immediately, as all five will see significant playing time this year. Their skills are especially needed in the backcourt, where two are stepping into starting positions.

Continued...

Page 1 of 3 next >

Article Tools