By: Brandon Green
Even though the Hood College men’s basketball team lost three seniors last year, the coaches believe that five new freshman and 10 returning players strikes the balance between youth and experience.
“We have plenty of guys to fill those guy’s shoes,” head coach Chad Dickman said. “They’re big shoes to fill, but we have so many good players that we should be able to fill it by quality and quantity.”
This recruiting class is a little smaller than in years past, according to Dickman. The Blazer’s usually bring in about five to eight freshman players.
“I think it’s pretty even, we have five freshmen, six sophomores, five juniors, one senior in Luke Casey,” Dickman said. “But, our five freshmen they can play.”
Because the freshmen will be playing such a valuable role on the team, it is up the returning players to make sure that freshmen pick up the schemes and nuances of the game plan, according to Dickman.
“I think we got guys ready to step up, some of the sophomore’s I think they’re ready to take another step. It’s next man up mentality,” said Jared Ruiz, Hood College junior shooting guard.
Last year the Blazer started out hot, getting out to a 10-1 record; the best start in school history. However, they failed to make the playoffs for the third year in a row.
“Instead of letting up, we have to keep pushing it and pushing it,” said Kobe Bulter, Hood College sophomore shooting guard. “Even if we lose keep our head up and focus on the next game.”
The Blazer have played a slow-down, ball control pace for the most part since Dickman took over in 2015. But this season, the Blazers say they want to commit to more up-tempo style of play.
“We’re definitely trying to speed it up this season,” Ruiz said. “We have a lot of guards on the team. We can play up and down, and really force some teams into turnovers. I think that will help us out offensively.”
With an average height of about 6 feet 2 inches and an average weight of about 182 pounds, the Blazer are long and nimble enough to play an up-tempo style.
The Blazers new style of play might be the change that the team needs. In wins last year, the team averaged about 77 points per game and in loses they averaged about 60 per game.
Another problem with losing three starters from last year is who will start in their place. However, Dickman is not concerned about that.
“We don’t even have to start the best five guys, we can group players that play well together and hit other teams with platoons of guys,” Dickman said. “We’re going to be up-tempo, full throttle.”
The Blazers have a new play style, new players, and still no respect. In the MAC Commonwealth preseason rankings, the Blazers are ranked seventh out of nine. This comes as no surprise to Dickman; in fact, he likes it that way.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if were last place in conference preseason pool this year,” Dickman said. “I actually really, really, really hope that we are. I would be shocked if we finished in last place. We have every opportunity in the world to better than we were last year. I think the skies the limit for this team.”
Still, the Blazers have a long road ahead of them. Playing formidable teams such as Lycoming College, ranked No.1 in preseason rankings, and Lebanon Valley College, ranked No. 2 in preseason rankings. But, this team is full of confidence and ready for this season.
“We can be as good as we want to be. We hold our own limits,” said Christian Evans, Hood College freshman forward. “Were going to push through the ceiling and see where we can get.”
The Blazers first regular season game is an away game against Swarthmore College on Nov. 15. Last season, they lost to Swarthmore in overtime 72-63.