MEN’S BASKETBALL OPEN SCRIMMAGE

by

Fred Janiszewski

October 24, 2010 - As I watched the Toledo men’s basketball team scrimmaging Saturday afternoon at Savage Arena, it quickly became evident that in just a few months, the program has gone through a complete metamorphosis under the guidance of first-year coach, Tod Kowalczyk and his staff.

Gone from Nichols Court is an offense that so often last season seemed to consist of five guys standing around waiting for the shot clock to get dangerously close to expiring before an attempt was thrown up from the perimeter without much chance of finding the cylinder. In place of the old model, that so often was so difficult to watch, the new Rockets demonstrated that they will be capable of playing at a level that hasn’t been seen on the home court for a few years.

Playing in front of several hundred fans who ventured out to sneak a peek before heading to the Glass Bowl for some football, the basketball Rockets divided the squad into Blue and Gold teams before scrimmaging for two 10-minute halves. Individual scoring wasn’t kept but the Gold team took the honors in the first half, 17-12 with the Blue team winning the second period, 17-15.

Starting for the Blue team were Justin Anyijong, Delino Dear, Reese Holiday, Malcolm Griffin, and Rian Pearson while the Gold team countered with Dominque Buckley, Matt Smith, Devin Russell, Richard Wonnell, and a surprise player, former Rocket great Tino Valencia.

Pearson, Buckley, and Tino were clearly the best players on the court; unfortunately the former two must sit out the season as transfers, and Tino used up his eligibility way back in 07. Pearson scored going to the basket and he scored from the perimeter. He’s a very smooth player with great hops. Buckley was equally impressive in running the show for the Gold team and connected on several nice three-pointers. And Tino demonstrated a few spin moves that he perfected playing in Europe.

Jess Chadwell, the walk-on from Georgetown, OH was also impressive with his shooting and hustle on the court. The thought here is that this young man will get some serious playing time come November.

Sophomore Malcolm Griffin ran the point for the Blue squad and looked to be much improved from last season

None of the bigs (Anyijong, Dear, Wonnell, Hayden Humes or Matt Smith) showed much scoring wise, but it is very clear that the group is much more athletic and much quicker than last season’s group of post players. Humes ran the floor quite well and shows no lingering effects from the ACL injury that put him on the shelf as a true freshman.

Several members of the team are nursing injuries and did not participate in the scrimmage. Among the walking wounded were Anthony Wright (foot), J.T, Thomas (foot surgery), Jay Shunnar (ankle), Drew Rodriguez, and Zack Leahy.

Athleticism, quickness, energy, court savvy, and a sense of purpose are a few descriptors that come to mind while watching the 2010-11 edition of Toledo basketball performing on Saturday.

This team, minus the three transfers who must sit out the year, might be capable of winning in the neighborhood of ten games if the players can stay healthy, but just as important UT will be competitive in most contests. In any event it will be a fun team to watch, and who knows, the fans could garner some of those elusive free Frostys this go-round