BOSTON – In conversation about the new and improved Atlantic 10, the first schools in the conversation tend to be preseason favorites Saint Louis and Saint Joseph’s, as well as newcomers Butler and VCU. All of that is understandable, and right now St. Louis probably comes up more in light of Rick Majerus’ unfortunate passing. Another team that wants to be in the conversation is La Salle, and after pulling out a 66-64 road win at Northeastern on Saturday night, the Explorers go into final exams looking like a team that could be in that mix.
The Explorers are not exactly a veteran team, but they’re certainly not inexperienced. They could be a year away from peaking with the core they have, but this year’s team looks pretty good right now. Ramon Galloway is the only senior who plays significant minutes, but they have a very experienced junior in Tyreek Duren, one of the most underrated point guards in the country, and classmate Sam Mills has played plenty of minutes as well in part because he’s an excellent defender.
In fact, Duren showed his feel for the game late in the second half. With the Explorers clinging to a two-point lead, Northeastern had a chance in transition, although it was one-on-two at first. Duren read Northeastern’s Joel Smith and a cutter very well, and picked off Smith’s pass and got fouled at the other end just after it.
Most who watched the game will probably talk about Duren’s game-winning short jumper in traffic in the final seconds, but his defensive play earlier was just as big and indicative of what he can do.
“With games like that, everyone remembers the last play, but every play counts the same,” said head coach John Giannini. “You could look at any play in that game as being the pivotal play, because they all count the same.”
Galloway carried the Explorers in the first half en route to a 24-point outing, including 4-9 from long range and a breakaway windmill dunk that caught everyone’s attention. The second half is where Duren picked it up, although he wasn’t alone. Jerrell Wright came alive with more touches to score nine of his 13 points (6-7 shooting on the night), and big man Steve Zack looked better after some foul trouble in the first half. Wright is emerging more and more as a guy the Explorers can get the ball to inside for a basket, while Zack leads the team in rebounding and has taken pressure off Wright.
“We probably have got to get the ball to Jerrell a little more,” said Giannini. “Jerrell can score, and we’ve got to help him out passing the ball out of the post. Some of that is the guards have to space and make themselves available.”
La Salle does a lot of things well, but there are a couple of areas Giannini would surely like to see some improvement. One is defense, as opponents are shooting 44 percent from the field against them on the season; Northeastern shot nearly 55 percent on Saturday night, including 66.7 percent in the first half. Another is rebounding, as they have been out-rebounded by two per game and were out-rebounded 27-21 by Northeastern. The good thing they do at the defensive end, and did again against the Huskies, is slow teams down from long range. Northeastern was 3-12 on three-pointers, and opponents are shooting 31 percent from there against La Salle.
“We’re small, but we’re quick, so we want to be up on you tight, which makes it hard to get threes,” said Giannini.
La Salle will add some depth soon, as Virginia Tech transfer Tyrone Garland will be eligible in their next game. That will be at Bucknell in a week, after they sit for final exams. A hometown kid, Garland will give them even more riches on the perimeter. Giannini said his eligibility will allow them to play faster and continue to put pressure on the ball at the defensive end, something they already do plenty of.
Heading into exams, La Salle is 6-1 overall, including 3-0 on the road. None of the wins will make the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee stand up and take notice, but it’s a good start heading into the latter part of non-conference play. They have chances for quality wins at Bucknell and Miami before Atlantic 10 play, but that’s all, so their road to the NCAA Tournament will be their play in the conference, where they will have more such chances.
The Explorers are working their way into the conversation in the Atlantic 10 with their play thus far. They will need a solid showing in the conference to reach the NCAA Tournament, but that was going to be needed anyway. With their remaining non-conference schedule, it’s not out of the realm of possibilities that they enter Atlantic 10 play with a record no worse than 10-3, one which should have them feeling confident about what they can do.
