By Malika Andrews |
After a disappointing end to the 2013-2014 men’s basketball season where the Pilots lost 67-64 against Loyola Marymount in the first round of the WCC tournament, the Pilots are back in the gym working hard in preparation for the new season.
With their first two weeks of official practice in the books, Head Coach Eric Reveno and his team already have their eyes set on the WCC championship.
The Pilots added four freshmen and one junior transfer from Clark College to their roster. Among these new players is freshman guard Jason Todd.
Todd has been named Gatorade’s Washington Player of the Year two years in a row and has always dreamed of playing division one basketball. He is looking forward to bringing his own flavor to the court.
“I think I am pretty versatile, I can defend multiple positions,” Todd said. “I am a pretty hard worker, and I will just get out there and do whatever coach needs, because when it comes down to it, it’s all about winning.”
Todd attributes part of the smooth transition from high school to college basketball to his ability play against seasoned guards such as senior Kevin Bailey.
After missing the last games of regular season and the WCC tournament due to a foot injury, Bailey said he has a new view of leadership.
“As a senior I am at the top, and I can’t really give excuses,” Bailey said. “In terms of off the court, I would say just carrying myself proper around campus. When you wear a big P on you, everyone notices who you are. And then in terms of on the court, playing hard every day and showing up ready to go.”
With the overall goal of the team being to win the WCC tournament and make it to the March Madness tournament, coach Reveno has the team focused on the fundamentals of defense.
“Defending and running,” Reveno said. “No one in my eight years here has finished top three in the conference without finishing in the top three defensively. We are going to be a good defensive teams. We have got good balance-good shooters, point guards, post players, but they are all very athletic and the new players even add to our athleticism.”
Coach Reveno and his coaching staff have been joined by former NBA coach Herb Brown. Brown has earned three NBA Championship rings and has eight years of experience coaching on the collegiate level.
Brown sees great potential and incredible drive in this year’s team. He said he believes their disappointment in the end of last year’s season is fueling their desire to improve.
“They are willing to compete, they have a will to win,” said Brown. “The way they come to practice prepared to work, they are not cutting corners. They have an infusion of new talent. I think they have something to prove. They are tired of not really being successful and I think that is their goal, and they are willing to exert all possible concentration and effort to get it done.”
