Men's hoops ready to take the hardwood
Returning players have to step up and carry Metro's strong basketball tradition
by Elin Otter
The Metropolitan
The men's basketball team kicks off their season with the Metro State Thanksgiving Classic this upcoming weekend. The Roadrunners, ranked 17th in the NABC/Division II Preseason Poll, return seven players from last year's squad that made it to the Final Four and bring in five new players.
"We are not as athletic as last year," said senior Mark Worthington. "But we can go just as far, if not -farther-. We have some smart kids on the team."
Eight-year head coach Mike Dunlap said the two transfers Dustin Ballard and Drew Williamson and the three freshmen Brian Barringer, Andrew Harms and David Luedtke have a lot to learn about the team system.
"The teaching is excessive a this point, so we're just trying to be careful, not to overwhelm them," Dunlap said.
About Harms, Dunlap has nothing but good to say.
"(Harms has) a lot to learn," Dunlap said. "But he's definitely our kind of player and it's just a matter of opportunity, time and experience for him to become a very fine player."
Coming off one of the best seasons in the program's history, the team could find themselves having some growing pains.
By losing players like C.J. Massingale, Luke Kendall and Lester Strong, the returners have to step it up even though they may not have been starters in the past, Dunlap said.
It is time for players like Michael Morse, Keith Borgan, Greg Muth and Worthington to carry Metro's strong basketball tradition and take care of the newcomers. These players have been in the fire before-and a part of a winning team-and now it is time for them to lead the way.
Worthington has already received honors this season as he was voted Pre-season First Team All-Conference. The senior said he wanted to contribute to the team more this year by playing a tougher defense and grabbing more rebounds.
"Hopefully, me and my teammates can take it to the next level," Worthington said with a confident smile.
Dunlap said the key is to sustain and put a good team on the floor. Defensively, the team can give their opponents grief, but offensively, it is hard to predict.
Senior forward Morse also received Pre-season honors being voted All-East Division in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
Team captains this year are seniors Morse and Ryon Nickle, a choice that might have some people raising their eyebrows. Despite the lack of playing time, Nickle was the undeniable choice for Dunlap.
"(Nickle) was a leader from the day he walked in the door," Dunlap said. "He's just grown into a role where he takes care of all the little things that you need from your leaders. He's the best leader I've ever coached, by far."
The basketball season begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, at Auraria Event Center against the Langston Lions from Oklahoma. The starting line-up will consist of Worthington, Morse, Michael Bahl, Muth and Borgan, according to Dunlap.
"Harms and Ben Ortner will come off the bench on Friday night," Dunlap said. "We'll see how that combinations goes. But, in the first five to seven games, I will be juggling the starting line-up just so we can see what combinations work."
The 'Runners return to the hardwood at Auraria Saturday, Nov. 20, when they take on the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs at 7 p.m. |
