An Early Look at the 2019-20 Crusaders
Oct 3, 2019 19:51:23 GMT -5
rgs318, bringbackcaro, and 3 more like this
Post by WorcesterGray on Oct 3, 2019 19:51:23 GMT -5
Jen Toland article tonight . . .
WORCESTER — The Holy Cross men’s basketball team had its first official practice of 2019-20 last Friday, and first-year coach Brett Nelson has been pleased with the Crusaders’ attitude, energy, focus and work ethic as HC’s returning players adapt to a new system and the team’s five freshmen transition to the college game.
“We’re taking it slow from a basketball standpoint because our system, the way we do things is a lot different for the returning guys and the five freshmen,” Nelson said. “It’s almost like having a team full of freshmen, so I’ve taken it slow, done a lot of teaching, but still the pace and the transitions and the way we operate are high level, high energy. We’re going to play up-tempo, so you have to practice that way.”
The 38-year-old Nelson was named Holy Cross coach on July 3, and replaced Bill Carmody, who retired in June after four seasons at HC. Nelson spent the previous five seasons at Marquette, including the last two as associate head coach.
Nelson’s persistence and passion, which he displayed as a player in the University of Florida’s backcourt, as well as his high expectations and vision for the Holy Cross men’s basketball program are what stood out to HC director of athletics Marcus Blossom when he hired Nelson.
Holy Cross is Nelson’s first head coaching job, and he has indeed embraced it with energy and enthusiasm.
“Establishing our culture, establishing our style of play, how we operate, how we practice is really important,” Nelson said.
Nelson is settling into his office at the Luth Athletic Complex, and he and his wife, Jamie, are unpacking boxes in their new Central Mass. home. Their son, Eli, just started third grade. Nelson has had a little bit of a chance to explore Worcester and enjoy some of the restaurants.
“I got a good feel for the city,” Nelson said. “It’s on the up and up, and a lot of good things are happening now.”
Holy Cross lost three of its top four scorers from last year’s 16-17 team. Center Jehyve Floyd graduated and is playing professionally overseas. Forward Jacob Grandison transferred to Illinois, and guard Caleb Green transferred to Fairfield. Floyd and Grandison were HC’s top rebounders.
Junior guard Austin Butler started all 33 games last season and is HC’s most experienced returning player. Junior forward Matt Faw played in 32 games last year with 20 starts. Junior forward Connor Niego missed two-thirds of the season with a foot injury. Junior guard Kyle Copeland averaged 9.9 minutes off the bench.
Niego and Butler (shoulder) have both been cleared, Nelson said, and are practicing fully.
The team’s only senior, guard Clayton Le Sann, averaged 4 minutes as a backup last year, and forward Marlon Hargis led last year’s freshman class with 3.4 minutes off the bench.
“We have a very inexperienced roster other than Austin,” Nelson said. “It’s new for everyone. The learning curve is going to go quickly. They have great attitudes, they’re working hard, and the focus is to get better every day. Each practice is a game for us. We have to have that mindset because we’ll be throwing the ball up before you know it.”
The Crusaders open the season Nov. 5 at Maryland. HC has not finished above .500 since 2013-14.
“Our expectation is to play with maximum effort on a consistent basis,” Nelson said. “You sprint back in transition, you come off a screen a hundred miles an hour. If there’s a loose ball, you win those 50/50 balls. We have to be a great block-out team. Maximum effort with an unselfish attitude. Guys who are sharing, energy guys who are uplifting, guys who are willing to take a charge, dive for a loose ball, make the extra pass. That’s what hopefully we’ll see.”
In the early going, Nelson has focused on defense. HC’s returning players will be moving on from Carmody’s matchup zone, and at the other end, out of the Princeton offense.
“It’s been a transition for sure,” Nelson said, “because basketball is a game of habits. The habits I’m developing with our guys are different from the Princeton offense and different than playing the matchup zone. That’s not saying one is better than the other; they’re just different.”
In Nelson’s first three months on the job, there has been, of course, an emphasis on recruiting, and he said his efforts as well as those of his staff, R.J. Evans, Joe Kennedy and Sam Ferry, are going well.
“You have to have the talent to play here,” Nelson said, “but the three things I look for are what kind of competitor you are, guys who enjoy the work, and the third thing, really good people. Guys who want to do well in school and embrace community service. Those are the three things I dove into with the first recruiting class.”
The Crusaders will hold an open practice for fans, friends and alumni at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Hart Center.
“We’re taking it slow from a basketball standpoint because our system, the way we do things is a lot different for the returning guys and the five freshmen,” Nelson said. “It’s almost like having a team full of freshmen, so I’ve taken it slow, done a lot of teaching, but still the pace and the transitions and the way we operate are high level, high energy. We’re going to play up-tempo, so you have to practice that way.”
The 38-year-old Nelson was named Holy Cross coach on July 3, and replaced Bill Carmody, who retired in June after four seasons at HC. Nelson spent the previous five seasons at Marquette, including the last two as associate head coach.
Nelson’s persistence and passion, which he displayed as a player in the University of Florida’s backcourt, as well as his high expectations and vision for the Holy Cross men’s basketball program are what stood out to HC director of athletics Marcus Blossom when he hired Nelson.
Holy Cross is Nelson’s first head coaching job, and he has indeed embraced it with energy and enthusiasm.
“Establishing our culture, establishing our style of play, how we operate, how we practice is really important,” Nelson said.
Nelson is settling into his office at the Luth Athletic Complex, and he and his wife, Jamie, are unpacking boxes in their new Central Mass. home. Their son, Eli, just started third grade. Nelson has had a little bit of a chance to explore Worcester and enjoy some of the restaurants.
“I got a good feel for the city,” Nelson said. “It’s on the up and up, and a lot of good things are happening now.”
Holy Cross lost three of its top four scorers from last year’s 16-17 team. Center Jehyve Floyd graduated and is playing professionally overseas. Forward Jacob Grandison transferred to Illinois, and guard Caleb Green transferred to Fairfield. Floyd and Grandison were HC’s top rebounders.
Junior guard Austin Butler started all 33 games last season and is HC’s most experienced returning player. Junior forward Matt Faw played in 32 games last year with 20 starts. Junior forward Connor Niego missed two-thirds of the season with a foot injury. Junior guard Kyle Copeland averaged 9.9 minutes off the bench.
Niego and Butler (shoulder) have both been cleared, Nelson said, and are practicing fully.
The team’s only senior, guard Clayton Le Sann, averaged 4 minutes as a backup last year, and forward Marlon Hargis led last year’s freshman class with 3.4 minutes off the bench.
“We have a very inexperienced roster other than Austin,” Nelson said. “It’s new for everyone. The learning curve is going to go quickly. They have great attitudes, they’re working hard, and the focus is to get better every day. Each practice is a game for us. We have to have that mindset because we’ll be throwing the ball up before you know it.”
The Crusaders open the season Nov. 5 at Maryland. HC has not finished above .500 since 2013-14.
“Our expectation is to play with maximum effort on a consistent basis,” Nelson said. “You sprint back in transition, you come off a screen a hundred miles an hour. If there’s a loose ball, you win those 50/50 balls. We have to be a great block-out team. Maximum effort with an unselfish attitude. Guys who are sharing, energy guys who are uplifting, guys who are willing to take a charge, dive for a loose ball, make the extra pass. That’s what hopefully we’ll see.”
In the early going, Nelson has focused on defense. HC’s returning players will be moving on from Carmody’s matchup zone, and at the other end, out of the Princeton offense.
“It’s been a transition for sure,” Nelson said, “because basketball is a game of habits. The habits I’m developing with our guys are different from the Princeton offense and different than playing the matchup zone. That’s not saying one is better than the other; they’re just different.”
In Nelson’s first three months on the job, there has been, of course, an emphasis on recruiting, and he said his efforts as well as those of his staff, R.J. Evans, Joe Kennedy and Sam Ferry, are going well.
“You have to have the talent to play here,” Nelson said, “but the three things I look for are what kind of competitor you are, guys who enjoy the work, and the third thing, really good people. Guys who want to do well in school and embrace community service. Those are the three things I dove into with the first recruiting class.”
The Crusaders will hold an open practice for fans, friends and alumni at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Hart Center.
