Towson Tigers (1-31 overall, 1-17 conference)
Projected starting five:
So. G Kris Walden
Jr. G Mike Burwell
Jr. F Marcus Damas
Jr. F Jerrelle Benimon
Sr. C Bilal Dixon
Important departures:
Three starters have departed from last season’s team, led by C Robert Nwankwo (12.5 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 2.4 bpg). Also gone are G Deon Jones (7.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and F Erique Gumbs (5.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg).
Returning:
38.7 percent of scoring and 24.1 percent of rebounding
Additions:
Jr. F Jerrelle Benimon (transfer from Georgetown)
Jr. G Mike Burwell (transfer from South Florida)
Sr. C Bilal Dixon (transfer from Providence)
Jr. G Rafriel Guthrie (junior college transfer)
Fr. F Barrington Alston
Fr. G Jerome Hairston
Fr. F Marquis Marshall
Fr. F Timajh Parker-Rivera
Fr. G Jeremy Schulkin
Schedule Highlights:
The Tigers don’t have quite the non-conference challenges they had to begin last season, but it doesn’t let up this time around as they play at Georgetown, Temple, Oregon State, College of Charleston and America East contender Vermont. Only two home games are on the slate, against North Dakota State and Coppin State. In CAA play, the Tigers could get going after the first two games are on the road, as they then play five of six at home.
Projected finish and outlook:
It’s easy to say Towson will be better this season when one looks at their record last season. But the Tigers seem poised to make a significant leap thanks largely to a big jump in the talent base, although there will still be growing pains as the many newcomers to integrate add to the challenge. Walden and Damas figure to be joined by three transfers in the starting lineup, one that will have much better ball-handling and scoring ability. Walden led all CAA rookies in assists last season and will have better players like Burwell and Benimon to get the ball to, plus the improved ball-handling means the Tigers can’t be pressed into submission the way they were last season. Dixon gives them an experienced player up front, but he has had his struggles staying out of foul trouble in his career. The freshmen are a talented group as well, with Alston and Hairston likely the most ready to contribute right away. While one shouldn’t expect the Tigers to jump to the middle of the CAA, the future outlook from this season will look much brighter along the way and at the end, and second-year coach Pat Skerry should have them poised for much better days.
