Fairfield 2022 Offseason Review: Ready to Take the Next Step, Coach Young Leads Arguably His Most Talented Roster

In this millennium, the Fairfield Stags have been a consistently competitive program in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference: an overall conference record of 220-206 and fifteen of those seasons with a .500 or better conference record. During that time frame, current Providence coach Ed Cooley coached for five seasons, leading the Stags to an overall 92-69 record in the halcyon days of late 00’s Fairfield basketball.

After Cooley left Fairfield to coach at Providence, Fairfield hired Princeton coach Sydney Johnson, who was a four-year starter at Princeton in the mid-90s. Fresh off a 25-7 season that earned the Tigers a 13-seed and a narrow 57-59 defeat to Kentucky in the first round, Johnson seemed like an impressive hire at the time. While his eight year tenure was more good than bad, Johnson was let go after a 9-22 record in the 2018-2019 season. 

A Northeast basketball lifer, Fairfield hired current head coach Jay Young, whose most recent work was as a fourteen season assistant coach under Steve Pikiell at Stony Brook and then Rutgers. Prior to the start of the 21-22 season, Fairfield extended Young’s contract through the 2025-2026 season, ushering an exciting new chapter in Stags basketball history as the university will open its newly renovated Alumni Hall this upcoming season.

While the new on-campus arena brings new buzz onto campus, Young and his staff have worked hard to retain their best talent and bring in an impressive ‘22 class of high school graduates and transfers.

Long before this upcoming season, Young had an early start planning how this year’s roster would be shaped without fifth-year seniors and four-year starters Taj Benning and Jesus Cruz, two 200+ pound guard/wing hybrids with the right level of skill and moxy to compete in the MAAC.

The bedrock of his returnees is the efficient low-post duo of junior Supreme Cook and senior Chris Maidoh. Starting every game at center last season, the 6’9 215 Cook is a classic back-to-the-basket low post forward, averaging 10.1 points per game and converting field goals at a 50.8% rate. A monster on both ends of the glass, Cook averaged 2.9 offensive and 5.4 defensive rebounds per game. More of a physical defender than a rim protector, Cook blocked 25 shots. 

An athletic rim-running forward, the 6’10 210 Maidoh vastly improved his efficiency last season thanks to his improved strength (he’s gained at least twenty pounds since his freshman season) and simplifying his offensive game by eliminating three pointers from his offensive repertoire (3-19 career from beyond the arc). His 68.9% field goal percentage last season was a huge upgrade over his previous career average of 45.3%. While it’s unrealistic to expect Maidoh to continue to shoot at nearly a 70% rate, Maidoh will continue to play meaningful minutes behind Cook and he is more than capable of taking over the starting role, if needed. Earlier in the previous season, some of the team’s rotations featured both Cook and Maidoh sharing the court, but by season’s end, the two bigs became a formidable tag team. 

Continuing the theme of efficiency, fifth-year senior Jake Wojcik and sophomore TJ Long are the best returning shooters. Originally a Richmond Spider, the 6’5 190 Wojcik played nearly thirty minutes-per-game last season, averaging 9.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. Scoring mostly from the perimeter, 61% of Wojcik’s field goal attempts last season were from three and he connected at a 34.5% rate. Similar to last year, Wojcik is projected to start either at the 2 or 3 guard spot.

The 6’4 190 TJ Long quickly developed an important role as a decently sized shooter off the bench, averaging 7.2 points and 1.6 threes per game, connecting at a 40.3% rate. Long is one candidate to earn one of the vacant starting spots, but he will have competition in the ‘22 transfer class.

Bowling Green transfer Caleb Fields is nearly a sure bet to start. The 6’2 185 combo guard is poised to earn the starting role after former Holy Cross transfer Caleb Green graduated. Sitting out last season for undisclosed reasons (based on this, Fields should have two years of eligibility remaining), Fields maintained an impressive 2-to-1 assist/turnover ratio while playing for one of the fastest offensive systems in the country (according to KenPom, Bowling Green’s offensive tempo ranked 45th the 20-21 season, Fields’ last healthy season). Fields’ career shooting splits are not ideal (career 46.1 2p%, 31.3 3p%, 62.2 ft%) but they also reflect the poor overall efficiency of Bowling Green teams during his time on the Falcons. The more deliberate pace of Jay Young’s system could improve Fields’ efficiency. 

Brycen Goodine is the other incoming transfer for Fairfield. The 6’4 190 incoming senior out of New Bedford, MA was a four-star recruit for Syracuse but has yet to secure more than just an occasional rotational role between his time at Syracuse and Providence. In his career, he’s shot at a 40.5 2p%, 23.9 3p% and 77.8 ft% rate but his length, smooth athleticism and 2.3 steals per-40 rate suggests Goodine will be at least a valuable defensive piece with the potential ceiling to put it all together on the offensive end. With Fields, Wojcik and Long projected to play significant roles, it will be interesting to see if Goodine can compete to finally earn a starting role at his third college stop.

Arguably the biggest wild-card this season is four-star ‘22 commit James Johns Jr., the son of second year assistant coach James Johns Sr. The 6’6 180 shooting guard picked Fairfield over UConn, Miami, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Penn State and three A-10 teams, a recruiting boon easily ranking Johns as the program’s top-rated recruit of all-time. Projected early on as a catch-and-shoot piece, his game will expand as he gets stronger with improved strength, handle and ability to finish consistently in traffic. His length and athleticism will also be a major asset as a perimeter defender.

A major strength of this upcoming season’s roster is its veteran depth with Young easily able to go ten deep if needed. Originally from Martinique, the 6’7 195 senior Allan Jeanne-Rose has been a steady two-way rotational piece, with efficient scoring inside the arc (54.1 2p%) and capability playing either forward spot. With the Stags’ depth at the guard and wing positions, Jeanne-Rose will likely play most of his minutes at the 4, helping to soak up some of the minutes left up for grabs following Jesus Cruz’s graduation. 

Originally from Rice, the 6’9 225 forward Zach Crisler is more of a stretch forward, with nearly two-thirds of his shot attempts from beyond the arc. However, unless his shooting efficiency improves (29.7 3p% at Fairfield), Crisler will be more of an end of the rotation piece. Missing twelve or more games in each of his two seasons at Fairfield, Jalen Leach was a valuable rotational guard, when healthy. Playing 28 games between his two seasons at Fairfield, Leach has averaged 5.5 ppg with respectable efficiency (50.0 2p%, 32.5 3p%, 76.3 ft%). 

The end of the bench will feature Makai Willis, a 6’9 235 second year player out of Florida and a pair of ‘22 prospects: Anthony “Ant” Davis Jr. and Michael Rogan, each with five Division 1 offers apiece. Davis is the son of Anthony Davis Sr., an offensive tackle who started 32 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ant Davis is an athletic 6’5 guard with a willingness to score at all three-levels. After averaging a triple-double in his final season at Saratoga Springs High School, the 6’7 Rogan finished his career at South Kent School where he became renowned to have some of the best range in New England combined with a scrappiness and willingness to battle inside. With the depth in front of them, Willis, Davis Jr and Rogan are not projected to play much this season but are exciting long-term pieces. 

While it is clear that Iona is the top dog of the MAAC, there is an opportunity for Fairfield to step up and compete in the next tier, especially with Saint Peter’s experiencing wholesale turnover in the roster and coaching staff and Monmouth moving onto the CAA. 

OOC games as of 6/30/22:

• 11/7 @ Wake Forest

• 11/15 @ Xavier

• 11/25-11/27 Savannah Invitational. Three games against possible opponents

• Evansville, James Madison, Mercer, Nicholls State, Robert Morris, South Alabama, South Dakota State, Towson and Valparaiso

• TBD v Monmouth

• TBD @ New Hampshire

 

Seton Hall 2022 Offseason Review: The Shaheen Holloway Era Brings a Fresh Feeling of Excitement

 Seton Hall: 21-11 last season, 54% of scoring returns

Projected to play starter or close to starter minutes:

G: Kadary Richmond 6’6 200 JR 8.8p, 3.6r, 4.1a, 1.7s, 34.5 3p%, 40.2 fg%

G: Al-Amir Dawes 6’2 182 SR 11.3p, 2.8r, 2.3a, 39.8 3p% (stats from Clemson)

G: Femi Odukale 6’5 185 JR 10.8p, 3.5r, 3.4a, 1s, 33.0 3p%, 39.1 fg% (stats from Pitt)

G: Jamir Harris 6’2 195 GR, 7.9p, 36.9 3p%

W: Dre Davis 6’5 220 JR 7.4p, 3r, 0.6s, 0.5b, 20.8 3p%, 42.7 fg% (stats from Louisville)

F: Alexis Yetna 6’8 225 GR, 8.1p, 7.6r, 40.4 fg%, 22.8 3p%

F: KD Ndefo 6’7 195 SR 10.5p, 6.1r, 2.4a, 1.3s, 2.8b, 28.3 3p%, 47 fg% (stats from Saint Peter’s)

F: Tray Jackson 6’10 210 JR 6.8p, 3.5r, 39.5 3p%, 46.6 fg%

F: Tyrese Samuel 6’10 230 SR 7.3p, 5.2r, 0.9b, 20 3p%, 48.8 fg%

Projected bench: 

G: Jaquan Sanders 6’3 170 FR, #195 ranked recruit of ‘22

G: Jaquan Harris 6’3 180 FR, #197 ranked recruit of ‘22

F: Tae Davis 6’7 198 FR, #144 ranked recruit of ‘22

F: Abdou Ndiaye 6’9 200 SR 1.6p, 1.9r, 0.7b in 9.7 mpg (stats from Illinois State)

Key Departures:

Jared Rhoden 15.5p, 6.7r, 1.2s, 33.6 3p%

Bryce Aiken 14.5p, 2.7a, 1.3s, 35.3 3p%

Myles Cale 9.8p, 3.9r, 1.5s, 35.9 3p%

After a dozen years, the Kevin Willard era could best be summarized as consistently good, but wanting for more. Prime example: five tournament appearances over the last seven seasons and just one tournament win. You can easily argue that Kevin Willard is the second best coach in Seton Hall history, but his resignation in March was an amicable split that could work out well for both parties. 

The timing of Willard’s resignation couldn’t have been any better with former Seton Hall great (all-time leader in assists and fourth all-time in steals) and Willard’s former assistant coach Shaheen Holloway hired to replace Willard. Considered one of the more promising young coaches prior to the 2021-2022 season, his stock skyrocketed as Saint Peter’s became one of the most cherished Cinderella stories in March Madness history reaching the Elite Eight as a 15-seed. 

Widely considered a slam dunk hire, Holloway’s Saint Peter’s teams were known for their suffocating defense, willingness to attack the basket and fight for offensive boards, even though his rosters tended to be size deficient. 

Now at Seton Hall, Holloway has a wealth of talent unforeseen in his head coaching career, even with three of the team’s top-three scorers graduating. In parallel with Willard’s most recent teams at Seton Hall, Holloway’s squads play with a deep bench blurring the lines between starters and bench players. Last season, Seton Hall had nine players averaging 18+ minutes per game and there’s a good chance next season’s roster will have a similar wide range of contributors.

Kadary Richmond is Seton Hall’s most talented and versatile returning player. A five-tool guard blessed with a 6’9 wingspan, Richmond is poised to be one of, if not the leader in South Orange as long as his game-to-game performance is more consistent. For example, in nine games last season, Richmond scored four or less points. 

A monster on the offensive glass, Alexis Yetna returns for his fifth year. Shooting just 22.8% from three last season, Yetna hopes to shoot closer to the 34.6% rate when he was at South Florida. Also returning for his fifth year is sharpshooting guard Jamir Harris who converted on 36.9% of his threes and will play alongside his brother Jaquan, a ‘22 commit. 

Another pair of frontcourt returnees include Tray Jackson and Tyrese Samuel. A former top-100 recruit for Missouri, Jackson’s junior season flashed his stretch forward potential, converting threes at a team leading 39.5% rate. More of a classic, back-to-the-basket big, Tyrese Samuel is the stronger rebounder and rim protector of the two.

Hailing from Indianapolis, the Davis brothers were Holloway’s first additions of the offseason. Louisville transfer Dre Davis, a former four-star recruit, is a big, strong glue guy wing who shoots efficiently inside the arc. His younger brother Tae Davis is a Louisville decommit and is Seton Hall’s top ranked prospect of the ‘22 class. 

On May 4th, Clemson’s Al-Amir Dawes committed to join Seton Hall’s backcourt. Born and raised in Newark, Dawes is a sweet shooting combo guard who is also a capable secondary ball-handler and distributor. Over his last two seasons at Clemson, Dawes about two-thirds of his shot attempts were from three, connecting at a 39.7% clip while also averaging 2.1 assists per game.

Four days later, the versatile Femi Odukale transferred from Pittsburgh. Originally from Brooklyn, Odukale profiles a bit like Richmond, blessed with a 6’11 wingspan, strong court vision (led Pitt in assists) and a willingness to attack the rim (4.7 ftas/game) while shooting well enough from deep to keep defenses honest (33%). 

The longer he stayed on the portal, the more likely it seemed that defensive whiz KD Ndefo would follow Holloway to South Orange and in late May those rumors came to fruition. Armed with an iron will and one of the best motors in all of college basketball, Ndefo’s defensive prowess finally got the national attention it deserved as he was the 2022 recipient of the Lefty Driesell Award, which is presented annually to the top defensive player in Division 1. At only 6’7 195, Ndefo swatted 2.8 blocks per game and overall stuffed the stat sheet. While his skills will help him earn starting or close-to starting minutes, he is also an important conduit to help the team transition coaching regimes. 

The end of Seton Hall’s bench will be filled with ‘22 commit Jaquan Sanders, a three-star shooting guard from the Bronx and Illinois State transfer Abdou Ndiaye whose value will most likely be on the practice court as tough competition for Seton Hall’s frontcourt.

While it’s not “tournament or bust” for Holloway’s first season in South Orange, the combination of the Pirates’ returning talent and reinforcements from the transfer portal make it a safe bet for Seton Hall to return back to the tournament, earning a seed somewhere in the 9-11 range. 

OOC games as of 6/28/22:

• 11/24-11/27 ESPN Events Invitational. Three games against possible opponents:

• Florida State, Memphis, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Siena, Stanford

• 12/1 @ Kansas

• 12/11 @ Rutgers

• TBD v Iowa, Iona, Wagner, Rhode Island, Saint Peter’s and Monmouth

UConn 2022 Offseason Review: UConn’s Roster Retool Characterized By Newfound Versatility

 UConn: 23-10 last season, 35% of scoring returns

Projected starters:

G: Tristen Newton 6’5 200 SR, 17.7p, 4.8r, 5.0a, 1.4s, 33.3 3p%, 43.5 fg% (stats from East Carolina)

G: Nahiem Alleyne 6’4 195 SR, 9.6p, 2.8r, 1.5a, 37.3 3p% (stats from Virginia Tech)

G: Jordan Hawkins 6’5 175 SO, 5.8p, 2r, 33.3 3p%, #51 recruit of ‘21

W: Andre Jackson 6’6 205 JR, 6.8p, 6.8r, 3.1a, 1.2s, 42.6 fg%, 36.1 3p%

C: Adama Sanogo 6’9 250 JR, 14.8p, 8.8r, 1.9b, 2.3 TO, 50.4 fg%

Projected bench:

G: Hassan Diarra 6’2 197 JR, 6.2p, 1.8r, 1.4a, 0.7s, 32.4 3p%, 37 fg% (stats from Texas A&M)

F: Samson Johnson 6’10 200 SO, 5.2 mpg, 1.7p, 1.1r, #57 recruit of ‘21

F: Alex Karaban 6’8 210 FR, #95 prospect of ‘21

G: Joey Calcaterra 6’3 165 GR, 8.5p, 2.8r, 1.3a, 0.7s, 34.7 3p% (stats from San Diego)

C: Donovan Clingan 7’1 255 FR, #46 prospect of ‘22

F: Richie Springs 6’9 225 JR, 3.5 mpg, 1.3p, 1.1r, 

UConn was a program in transition when it hired Dan Hurley prior to the 2018-2019 season. After their first consecutive pair of losing seasons since the end of the Dom Perno and start of the Jim Calhoun era, Hurley has steadily started to rebuild the program, leading the Huskies to the tournament in each of its two seasons in the Big East. However, first round losses in both appearances have left Hurley and fans yearning for more.

With four of its five top scorers graduating, UConn entered the offseason with a tenuous idea of how the roster will look for this season. One of the last greats to have played for Bob Hurley at St. Anthony High in Jersey City, NJ, point guard RJ Cole was UConn’s leading scorer, rim attacker, distributor and de facto captain. Originally recruited by Dan Hurley during his time at Rhode Island, Tyrese Martin parlayed his physical guard play, elite rebounding and improved efficiency to a selection in the second round of his year’s NBA draft. Isaiah Whaley, admirably self-anointed as “The Wrench” was UConn’s glue guy with an infectious motor that made him a menace protecting the rim, aggressively hedging on the perimeter while also providing offensive efficiency and improved shooting from deep. The last graduate was Tyler Polley, a 6’9 stretch forward who hit a total of 185 career three-pointers at a 37.2% rate.

Most programs would expect a rebuilding season following the level of talent graduating from UConn, but three homegrown talents are poised to be major contributors of his season’s retooling, led by All-Big East First Team selection Adama Sanogo. Making a huge jump in his sophomore season, Sanogo added rim protection (1.9 blocks/game) to his low post dominance and two-way rebounding. The next stage of his development is improving his vision and kick out abilities, which will help improve his assist/turnover ratio (1.0:2.3).

Sanogo’s kick out options are projected to improve thanks to a change of offensive philosophy by Hurley and his staff. Wanting to play more of a four-out system, incoming junior Andre Jackson is a big ingredient to help make this system come to fruition. One of the best athletes in program history, the 6’6 210 Jackson flashes five-tool ability: his vision, passing, rebounding, switchability on defense and improved strength projects Jackson as the team’s 4 spot in the four-out offense. Named to the Big East All-Freshman team, Jordan Hawkins is anticipated to take the biggest jump in the roster. Penciled into a starting position, Hawkins’ above the rim athleticism, soft shot and three-point range has fans drooling over what he can be this upcoming season, especially after a full season in the weight room.

With lots of playing time up for battle, Hurley and his staff aggressively hit the transfer portal, like most teams, at levels unforeseen in school history. The four-man transfer haul helped improve the team’s shooting and versatility, two major ingredients for a successful, almost positionless four-out system from the 1-to-4 spots . 

East Carolina transfer Tristen Newton highlights the transfer class. The 6’5 200 senior “point wing” was Mr. Everything on the offensive side of the board with his 28.0% possession rate ranked #124 nationally amongst all D1 players. Newton led East Carolina in points, free throw attempts, free throw percentage and assists while ranked second in rebounds, steals and three-point percentage. Clearly the most talented member on one of the perennial bottom feeders of the AAC, at times Newton had to force the offense, evident of his conference high 3.5 turnovers/game. At UConn, Newton is penciled in as the team’s point guard and similar to RJ Cole, who transferred in from Howard, a decrease in usage rate should improve Newton’s turnover rate.

Virginia Tech transfer Nahiem Alleyne is one of the new additions who will help share the offensive load, improve the team’s shooting and versatility in the backcourt. The 6’4 195 senior played the 3 guard in Mike Young’s shooting friendly offense where he provided efficiency from outside and on the line (37.3 3p% with 1.7 made threes per game, 85.2 ft%) and limited mistakes on the offensive end (just 1.1 turnovers/game). 

Texas A&M transfer Hassan Diarra is the younger brother of former UConn forward and current Director of Player Development Mamadou Diarra, who got an early start to coaching after a promising career was cut short due to injuries. With modest overall career numbers, Hassan Diarra is looking to parlay his strong finish to his sophomore year (8.2p, 1.9a, 45.5 2p%, 37.8 3p%, 18.9 mpg in his last 14 games) to a featured role in the UConn rotation that can develop into a starting spot in the future. His ability to play both guard spots will certainly help him carve out a big role this season.

The most recent transfer addition is San Diego grad transfer Joey Calcaterra. A solid June addition to the program, the 6’3 165 Calcaterra averaged 10.6 points, 1.6 assists, 1.4 three pointers made at a 36.2% rate across his last three years at San Diego. Playing anywhere between the 1 and the 3 for the Toreros, Calcaterra will be counted on as a shooter and secondary ball-handler off the bench.

Similar to conference mates Villanova, most of UConn’s bench is built with promising homegrown talent. Sophomore Samson Johnson flashed his stretch forward ability whose style closely resembles the recently departed Akok Akok, who took his talents to Georgetown. A late-bloomer who didn’t seriously play basketball until he was 16, the former four-star from the Patrick School (the same high school program that groomed Adama Sanogo) oozes with potential and another offseason in the weight room should help prepare Johnson for more of a regular rotation role this season. 

Few UConn recruits have been more homegrown than Bristol, CT native Donovan Clingan. The 7’1 255 top-50 prospect’s omnipresence behind the UConn bench last season has made it seem like this UConn Superfan has already spent a year with the team. Primed to be UConn’s “Next Great Big” Clingan will start the upcoming season earning backup minutes behind Sanogo. 

An early enrollee last year, IMG Academy's Alex Karaban will look to crack the rotation as a combo forward. The 6’8 220 forward originally from Massachusetts is a bit of a nightmare matchup who is capable of doing a little bit of everything on both sides of the floor thanks to his skills and will. As it stands, redshirt junior Richie Springs is the last piece of the UConn bench. With just 41 career minutes played across two seasons, the 6’9 225 forward now has his best opportunity to compete for a role in the rotation thanks to his work on the boards and his comfort playing a face up offensive game. With two more scholarships left to fill, there remains a possibility for a ‘23 reclass or a transfer to add rotation depth.

Entering his first season with a roster entirely made up of his own recruits, Hurley and his staff has a wealth of athleticism, toughness, skill and versatility for creative rotations. Combined with significant roster turnover and a dedicated fanbase ready to take the next step, not many coaches are in a situation like Hurley but the team has the pieces to make it work and remain as one of the top teams in the Big East. 

OOC games as of 6/27/22

• 11/17 v Stonehill

• 11/24-11/27 Phil Knight Invitational. Three games against possible opponents:

• Alabama, Iowa State, Michigan State, North Carolina, Oregon, Portland, Villanova

• 12/1 v Oklahoma State

• 12/7 @ Florida

Marshall 2022 Offseason Review: After A Down Year, Marshall Poised to Run in the Sun Belt.

 Since coming back to his alma mater and taking over as the head coach prior to the start of the 2014-2015 season, the Dan D’Antoni led Marshall Thundering Herd are known for their frantically fast tempo, positionless basketball and a lot of shots from three.

In each of D’Antoni’s seasons at Marshall, their offensive possessions have ranked within the top-eight quickest in the nation, on a given season averaging somewhere between 13.8 and 15.4 seconds per possession.

This aesthetically pleasing and fun style of play has also led to success: between the 2015-2016 and 2020-2021 seasons, Marshall had an overall record of 117-78 and earned a 13-seed in the 2017-2018 tournament. 

However, the 2021-2022 season was Marshall’s worst season since D’Antoni’s first season at the helm, finishing 12-21 with a dreadful 5-18 finish. In that season, the Thundering Herd decreased their three-point percentage from 36.0% (70th in the nation) to 30.1% (325th in the nation). Another major contributing factor was that their offensive turnover rate increased from 16.3% (44th in the nation) to 18.1% (155th in the nation).

A big reason for this statistical shift was that Marshall did not have a suitable replacement for point guard Jarrod West transferring to Louisville. In the 2020-2021 season, West was counted on for scoring, shooting, and an ability to make plays while limiting mistakes (12.5p, 6a, 2.1 TO, 40.8 3p%). In the 2021-2022 season, West’s off-ball guard, Andrew Taylor moved to point guard, wing Taevion Kinsey moved from 3-guard to 2-guard and a collection of forwards were miscasted as the 3-guard. Not only did this personnel shift affect the team’s shooting but it also miscast secondary ball-handlers to more primary roles, affecting the flow of the offense. To put it in perspective, during Kinsey’s freshman season, the 6’5 185 Kinsey played a vast majority of his minutes at the 4 and during that season, Marshall had the 27th lowest offensive turnover percentage. 

Despite Marshall’s rough season, there’s reason for optimism as the team enters its first season in the Sun Belt.

Overall, there’s excellent continuity with nine rotation players returning, representing 82% of their scoring from last year. 

Most importantly, Taevion Kinsey is returning for his fifth-year of eligibility. Already an all-time great (his 1935 total career points is fifth most in Marshall history), Kinsey was arguably the best athlete in the C-USA and will again be arguably the best athlete in the Sun Belt. Kinsey fills the stat sheet, averaging 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists last season. His 18.3 3p% was a major disappointment, but considering his 33.5% career average prior to the season makes it easier to file last season as an aberration. 

The addition of VMI transfer Kamdyn Curfman will help offset the loss of Jarrod West last offseason. The 6’1 186 senior provides efficient scoring (15.6 points, 52.4 2p%, 39.2 3p% with 3.6 makes per game) and an impressive assist/turnover ratio (2.4:1.2). There’s also a bit of system fit too: VMI plays fast (67th quickest offensive possession length) and shoots a ton of threes (54.8% of their shot attempts were threes, tops in the nation). The addition of Curfman will also allow Kinsey to slot back to the 3-guard, which is his more comfortable spot and also allows D’Antoni to roll 30+ mpg with three guards who can all bring the ball up with pace, catch-and-shoot and smoothly distribute.

Andrew Taylor is the third guard in Marshall’s projected starting backcourt. As mentioned earlier, the 6’3 188 senior was the team’s defacto point guard last season, averaging 14.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game. While his counting stats improved, parts of Taylor’s efficiency weakened: his turnovers increased from 2 to 3 per game and his three point shooting decreased from 41.6% to 32.8%. The addition of Curfman should help with Taylor’s efficiency as defenses will have headaches organizing their defense against the three high-level guards.

While the combination of Taylor/Curfman/Kinsey will make up for three-fifths of the starting lineup, four returning three-star recruits from the ‘19 and ‘20 classes will compete for the remaining two spots. 

A part of Marshall’s ‘20 recruiting class, Obinna Anochili-Killen, ranked by 247 as the seventh-highest recruit in Marshall history, showcased his potential last year providing three-level scoring, rebounding and rim-protection, averaging 11.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 57.0 2p%, 31.8 3p% with one made three-pointer per game and 2.6 blocks per game. It’s a sure bet that the 6’8 220 Obinna Anochili-Killen will continue his starting role from last year, either at the 4 or the small ball five.

David Early, another three-star recruit from the ‘20 class, entered the program with promise and hype, ranked as Marshall’s thirteen-highest ranked recruit, according to 247. Blessed with a unique 6’4 235 build, Early played minutes at all three guard positions last year, providing three-point range, vision and IQ to make tough passes. Last season, about three-quarters of his shot attempts were from three, which he connected at a 33.9% clip, and he averaged 1.5 assists per game. Starting eleven games and averaging 18.8 minutes per game, Early is a candidate to start next season or play close to starter minutes off the bench. 

The two three-star recruits from the ‘19 class are 6’7 210 forward Marko Sarenac and 7’0 250 big Goran Miladinovic. Starting 25 games and averaging fifteen minutes-per-game last season, the Montenegro native Miladinovic was active on the glass (3.8 rebounds/game) and began to flash his stretch potential (8 for 24 from three). The Serbian born Sarenac played similar minutes-per-game providing Marshall its most efficient three point shooter in the regular rotation. Converting at a 37.2% rate, a whopping 91% of his shot attempts from last year were from deep where he averaged about 1.1 threes per game. Both seniors are expected to continue to be important rotation pieces this upcoming season.

The Herd also return a pair of returning sophomores who will bolster the frontcourt depth this upcoming season. The 6’9 225 Aymeric Toussaint and 6’9 210 Chase McKey both played around ten minutes per game last season and provided Marshall with efficient low-post offense (a combined 68.4 fg%). Fellow sophomore Kyle Braun played a total 197 minutes last season chipping in as a willing three-point shooter (76% of shot attempts were from deep) and distributor (3.4 assists per 40 minutes). The 6’9 180 Wyatt Fricks redshirted last season after surgery on his right knee. Blessed with impressive range, Fricks is also dedicated on the boards and protects the rim. 

The two-man ‘22 class is headlined by Jacob Connor, a 6’8 195 forward from Dayton, Ohio. Ranked by 247 as the #57 small forward of his class, Connor picked Marshall over seventeen other D1 programs. Playing high school ball at Archbishop Alter, Connor was a jack-of-all-trades, averaging 10.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 4.2 blocks and 2.2 steals per game, a statistical profile that meshes perfectly with Marshall’s positionless brand of basketball. With so much returning talent, it is hard to see Connor getting a lot of run this season, but he oozes with long-term potential. 

Connor’s ‘22 classmate is 7’1 242 big Micah Handlogten from South Lake Christian Academy in North Carolina. Considered by some as North Carolina’s premier “modern big man”, Handlogten can protect the rim and knock down perimeter jumpers, a juicy combo that will play up at Marshall. With four capable bigs ahead of him in the depth chart, Handlogten is a project and has a prime opportunity to develop at his own pace.

Some people might look at Marshall’s 11-21 record last year, see that 80% of their scoring returning and might expect another tough season. However, just a year before, Kinsey and Taylor were starters and Anochili-Killen, Early and Miladinovic were rotation pieces in Marshall’s 15-7 finish. While Kamdyn Curfman is a different player than Jarrod West, a huge key to Marshall’s success this upcoming year is that D'Antoni can run his system with three capable scoring guards. 

While it’s fair to look at Marshall’s move from the C-USA to the Sun Belt as a step down for their mens’ basketball team, teams like Texas State, Georgia State, Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina and South Alabama are perennially solid teams at the top-half of the conference. In addition to Marshall, the Sun Belt’s additions of Old Dominion (five tournament appearances in the last twenty years) and James Madison (a combined 28-21 record in both of Mark Byington’s seasons) bolster the conference’s overall depth. When the preseason rankings come in, expect Marshall to be somewhere in the top-third.

OOC games as of 6/24/22

• 12/6 v Morehead State

• 12/10 @ Robert Morris

• 12/11 v Ohio

• TBD vs Akron, Toledo, Coppin State, Tennessee Tech, Chicago State

• TBD @ UNC Greensboro

Fordham 2022 Offseason Review: A Rose Grows in The Bronx: Fordham Basketball Ready to Flourish Under Urgo.

 When Fordham hired Kyle Neptune in March of 2021, it was fair to argue that he was entering one of the toughest jobs in the nation. With only four NCAA Tournament appearances in school history, Fordham last reached the tournament in the 1991-1992 season when Fordham was a member of the Patriot League. Overall, Fordham performed solidly in the Patriot, finishing 46-20 in five seasons and prior to that, Fordham was 71-49 in the MAAC.

However, since Fordham made the jump to the Atlantic-10 in the 1995-1996 season, the Rams have performed .500 or better just twice during conference play. In ten seasons prior to Neptune’s hire, Fordham’s record in the A-10 was a paltry 38-131.

With that history in context, Neptune’s rookie season should be seen as nothing else but a success: a 16-16 overall record and an 8-10 finish in the A-10 that included a victory against George Mason in the first round of the A-10 tournament. 

Just six weeks after Fordham’s last game of the season, Jay Wright’s surprise retirement and the subsequent hiring of Neptune, his former assistant coach, to replace Wright shocked the college basketball landscape. In response, Fordham elevated Associate Head Coach Keith Urgo to Head Coach. 

What happened next was rare in the landscape of the transfer portal: talent stuck around. After Neptune’s departure, just two new players joined the transfer portal, a mere drop in the ocean of over 1700 players in the portal. 

Overall, seven Rams return this season, representing 53% of the team’s scoring from last season. That rate is good for any team, let alone a team experiencing its second coaching change in two offseasons.

The best returnee is fifth-year senior Darius Quisenberry, who is playing his second season in the Bronx. The 6’2 188 combo guard averaged 16.2p, 3.8r, 2a and 1.5s last season. Known more as a bucket-getter than a shooter, Quisenberry was one of the A-10s best rim attackers, ranking sixth in the A-10 in free throw attempts per game (4.3). 

In addition to Quisenberry, the Rams return two other starters, guard Kyle Rose and rugged wing Antrell Charlton. The aptly named Rose is a 6’4 192 senior who is best known for his perimeter defense (1.3 steals/game) while also providing secondary scoring (7.5 points/game) and improved shooting (32.9 3p% last season was 7.9% higher than his previous season best). 

The 6’3 205 Charlton is a physical wing whose game is somewhat reminiscent to another NYC matchup nightmare: St. John’s Dylan Addae-Wusu. Charlton is an inefficient shooter, but he provides steals (1.8), rebounds (5.4), assists (3.5) and an ability to play either forward spot or point in a pinch.

This season, Charlton will mostly be counted on to play the three-guard thanks to the addition of Georgia Tech grad transfer Khalid Moore. The 6’7 208 forward from Queens was a four-year starter at Georgia Tech, whose seven-foot wingspan, athleticism and grit will provide the Rams a defensive stopper at the 4 while also limiting mistakes on the offensive end (just 112 career turnovers in 117 career games at Georgia Tech). 

Zach Riley, the 6’5 sophomore from New Zealand, joined the Rams in the spring semester of last and averaged 11.3 mpg. The son of Brad Riley, who played for the New Zealand Olympic Basketball Team in the 2000 Olympics, Riley is expected to compete as a scorer off the bench.

With all-time great Chuba Ohams graduating (10th all-time in rebounds and 7th in blocks), a trio of frontcourt returnees will compete for time at the 5.

• Abdou Tsimbila, a 6’9 245 junior who was originally a Penn State commit. Last season’s stats: 2.7p, 3.5r, 0.7b, 41.4 fg% in 11.5 mpg

• Rostyslav Novitskyi, a 6’10 215 fifth-year senior. Last season’s stats: 2.2p, 2r, 0.8b, 45.5 fg% and 6-for-18 from three, 10.9 mpg.

• Patrick Kelly, a 6’8 223 junior who was originally a Penn State commit. Last season’s stats: 2.9p, 1.9r, 29.3 3p% with almost all FGAs from deep. 12.1 mpg.

While Khalid Moore and the seven returnees will make up most, if not all of Fordham’s starting lineup, Fordham’s impressive five-man ‘22 class will be counted on to help keep Fordham flourishing in the A-10 for years to come:

• Will Richardson, a 6’2 170 combo guard from New Jersey. According to 247, he is Fordham’s 2nd highest ranked prospect in program history. Richardson picked Fordham over seventeen schools, led by Xavier, Marquette, St. John’s, Seton Hall, TCU, Texas A&M, Stanford, Maryland and others. Richardson is a scoring two-way guard who rebounds well for his position. 

• Angel Montas, a 6’5 210 wing from the Dominican Republic. According to 247, he is Fordham’s 5th highest ranked prospect in program history. Montas picked Fordham over Illinois, Tennessee, Dayton and others. On offense, Montas is a downhill scorer thanks to his size, balance, agility and ability to finish at the rim with both hands. 

• Noah Best, a 6’5 166 combo guard from The Bronx. According to 247, he is Fordham’s 7th highest ranked prospect in program history. Best picked Fordham over eleven other schools including Illinois, George Mason and St. Bonaventure. Best is a catch-and-shoot scorer whose handle and vision helps make plays. Best’s improved focus on the defensive end will mesh well with his length. 

• Elijah Gray, a 6’8 220 forward from North Carolina. According to 247, he is ranked 79th amongst small forward prospects. Gray picked Fordham over fourteen other schools including UMass, Murray State and others. With a legit seven-foot wingspan, Gray brings a versatile two-way style that emphasizes athleticism and pace. His comfort shooting from the outside and ability as a secondary ball handler profiles Gray with an enticing pro-level ceiling.

• Romad Dean, a 6’7 185 wing originally from The Bahamas. Dean picked Fordham over twelve other schools, including high-major offers from USC, Arizona State, Minnesota, Ole Miss, Seton Hall and Butler. Dean is most known as an assertive rebounder with a motor on the defensive end.

Overall, the ‘22 class contains the high-end talent and overall depth that exceeds not only the incoming classes of most A-10 teams, but also a good portion of high-major programs too.

During the 21-22 season, Fordham’s defense was ranked 41st according to KenPom’s efficiency rankings thanks to their diverse defense that ranked in the top-100 in effective fg%, turnover % and defensive rebounding. 

However, to take the next step, it’s clear where Fordham needs to improve: efficiency on offense. Their 29.7 3p% was ranked 336th in the nation and their 46.7 2p% was ranked 295th. One possibility to improve this is playing Kelly or Novitskyi at the 5 will allow Urgo to utilize a five-out offense, opening up space for Quisenberry to attack the rim and improve on his 37.2 fg%. 

In summary, there’s a buzz in the Bronx and the Rams are excited to keep that momentum going. While accolades are deserving to Neptune, Keith Urgo was integral to the team’s success and Athletic Director Ed Kull smartly promoted Urgo to take lead.

OOC games as of 6/22/22:

• 11/7 v Dartmouth

• 11/27 v Harvard

• 12/22 v VMI

• TBD v UIC, Holy Cross and Stonehill