The Shepherd University men’s basketball team is looking to continue its recent success.
Last year, the Rams finished the season with a record of 20-10, the best record in recent memory. That was good enough to place them third in the Mountain East Conference standings. The team has been improving every year since the 2009-2010 season, where that team finished 9-18.
Three of the team’s top four scorers from last year are returning. However, the team’s top scorer and team leader, Brantley Osbourne, is not returning. He averaged 19.1 points per game, 4.1 assists per game and made 85 three point shots, by far the most on the team.
“We’re going to miss the three ball and we’re going to miss the leadership,” said Head Coach Justin Namolik. Namolik also said that the team will need strong leadership from senior guard Austin Cunningham and senior forward Morgan McDonald.
Cunningham and McDonald are the only two seniors on the team. Last year, Cunningham averaged 16 points per game, second highest on the team, and 4.7 assists per game, leading the team. McDonald nearly averaged a double-double, scoring 13.4 PPG and 9.9 rebounds per game.
Coach Namolik added that being a good leader is hard. “You have to have confidence to develop leadership. We’re working on it.”
Sophomore guard Naim Muhammad was fourth leading scorer last year and is returning as well. He averaged 11 PPG and recorded 51 steals, most on the team.
Cunningham, McDonald and Muhammad make up the three returning starters for Shepherd this year.
The Rams will be without two other key players. Forward Kevin Jones averaged 10 PPG and 5.3 RPG. Guard Marcus Pilgrim was the team’s sixth man last year, meaning that he did not start, but got more minutes than anyone else off the bench. He averaged 10.5 PPG and hit 45 three pointers, second most on the team.
This is a very young team. There are currently six freshmen on the roster. Coach Namolik says that this year is very important for all of them.
“We need to count on our freshman,” said Namolik, “They have a good chance to produce, if not on the court, then they have the potential to produce in the future. This class is the next four years and our next group.”
The Rams will play a scrimmage against West Virginia University on Sunday, Nov.9 before opening the season at home against Lock Haven University on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Leave a Reply