Davidson Hosts Lenoir-Rhyne in Exhibition Game Tuesday
11/9/2008 11:44:30 PM | Men's Basketball
2008-09 Season Preview
IT'S POSSIBLE THAT Davidson basketball had such a magnificent run during the four-year careers of Jason Richards, Thomas Sander and Boris Meno that some of the school's own fans – as well as some in the media – took much of it for granted.
In a way it's hard to blame them, because the Wildcats often made it look so easy, winning by wide margins on many occasions. Richards, Sander and Meno enjoyed more basketball victories than any graduating class in the school's history – and that takes in some impressive territory. The cumulative record of the four Davidson teams they played on bordered on the ridiculous. The overall mark was 101 wins, 32 losses. Their regular-season record against Southern Conference opponents was 63-6. And their SoCon tournament record was 10-1.
Two of their teams won 29 games, the most wins in a single season by any Davidson team. All four of their Davidson teams played in the postseason. The freshman year resulted in a trip to the NIT with road wins over Virginia Commonwealth and Southwest Missouri State before losing at Maryland. Three consecutive Southern Conference tournament titles followed with the prize being three trips to the NCAA tournament, where the overall record was 3-3.
Last year was better than a stage play. The Wildcats went 20-0 in the Southern Conference, won three games in the conference tournament by an average of 26 points, and then captured the hearts of the college basketball community with dramatic NCAA wins over Gonzaga and Georgetown, a thorough defeat of Big Ten champion Wisconsin before finally losing to eventual national champion Kansas 59-57 in the Elite Eight before a crowd of 57,563 at Ford Field in Detroit.
The bad news, of course, is that Richards, Sander and Meno have graduated. The good news is that the incomparable All-America Stephen Curry and a strong supporting cast return.
Will this be a season of rebuilding or reloading for the Wildcats? The answer will be revealed as the season unfolds. For sure, the expectations of those who support and follow Davidson basketball are sky-high. The players are used to it, though, and don't seem to consider it at all debilitating.
This is coach Bob McKillop's 20th season as Davidson's head coach. He's enjoyed remarkable success at Davidson, but nothing like last year. That was a real life rendition of the movie Hoosiers, one that resulted in a whirlwind of clinics, speaking engagements and other public appearances by McKillop. He's not complaining about the encroachment on his time. No complaints whatsoever. He'd gladly do it again.
“The reinforcement we received from so many of our fans, alumni and students following our success in the NCAA tournament served as an inspiration to us heading into last spring, summer and fall,” McKillop said. “The extra weeks of practice and games that we gained by playing in the NCAA tournament, plus the success we had on such a big stage, give us great confidence as we move forward.”
McKillop is a wise man, however. He knows he lost a poised and confident point guard in Richards who led the nation last season with 8.1 assists a game and was the team's second leading scorer at 12.8. Sander was Davidson's best post defender, a master of good plays, and maybe the world leader in drawing charges. He just knew how to play the game. Meno was second on the team in blocked shots with 28 and gave the Wildcats an athletic big man off the bench.
So, how does Davidson go about mixing and matching to replace those three superb players and leaders? It's no guarantee it can be done, but others who have been waiting their turn will now get their chance. It's what makes college basketball enjoyable – and unpredictable.
The Backcourt
Of course, Davidson has an extraordinary player and leader in Stephen Curry, 6-3, junior, who grabbed the NCAA tournament by the throat last year by scoring 40 points in the win over Gonzaga, 30 in the defeat of Georgetown (25 in the second half), 33 in the 17-point win over Wisconsin and 25 against Kansas.
Although he was not a highly recruited player out of high school, Curry's name popped up on just about everybody's preseason All-America list this season. He averaged 25.9 points a game as a sophomore while connecting on better than 44 percent of his 3-point attempts. He earned the right to be ranked with the best in the college game.
But there will be new challenges for Curry this year, too. With Richards gone, Curry is going to spend a lot of time playing point guard. He doesn't seem stressed about it, and Coach McKillop certainly doesn't.
“He is a versatile player who gets better each day,” McKillop says. “He gained experience playing at point guard when Jason Richards was out of the game, and that should prove valuable to him this year. His style at point guard will be entirely different from Jason's, but we are confident he will handle it well.”
Curry spent a good bit of last summer at point guard camps run by NBA players. Those sessions not only improved his skills needed to play point guard but also his decision making.
“Steph will be superbly supported at point by other outstanding players on our team,” McKillop says.
Those include Brendan McKillop, 6-0, a remarkable perimeter shooter who has a fine understanding of how Davidson wants the game to be played. His biggest handicap heading into his sophomore season is a lack of playing time. Somehow he's going to need to find a way to make up for it, which will require extra work and study, both of which he is more than willing to provide.
“With our demanding schedule last year along with the other challenges that we faced, Brendan didn't get the early-season minutes that our freshman backups usually get,” Coach McKillop explained. “He was short-changed there. However, his daily routine of practicing against Jason Richards, Steph Curry and Max Paulhus Gosselin was invaluable to him. That, along with playing on an Elite Eight team, gave him confidence that should help him this season.”
Can Civi, 6-1, senior, is a popular team member who contributed mostly in practice during his first three seasons. But those contributions were quite valuable to his team's success.
“Can is a fourth-year point guard who has been masterful in playing the unsung but important role as a leader of our scout team,” McKillop said. “He has done everything asked of him by his coaches. He has learned quite a bit about how our system goes about developing game plans for our opponents. Those have been valuable lessons for him.”
Two other team members could also contribute at point guard if necessary — Paulhus Gosselin and Aaron Bond. Paulhus Gosselin, 6-6, senior, played some point in high school and during his freshman season at Davidson. He also played the point on the Canadian National Team's practice squad last summer. Bond played point guard in his freshman and sophomore season in high school at Georgetown Prep. McKillop said Bond's “athleticism could be utilized to shore up any holes we might experience at point guard.”
Paulhus Gosselin returns as one of Davidson's most versatile and valuable players. He is the catalyst for the Wildcats, both offensively and defensively. He brings such a high energy level to the court that his teammates feed off it, which pushes them to step up their own games.
“Max continues to grow as a player and leader,” McKillop says. “We like to be in an attack mode on offense and defense, and he is our catalyst. His energy level is always at the very highest, and he works endlessly in his quest to improve his skills. He is a model of hard work and teamwork, and his progress at Davidson could be measured in giant steps.”
Paulhus Gosselin, with his long arms and ability to move his feet quickly, gives Davidson a defensive weapon that can guard anyone from a point guard to a power forward. He takes his defensive work personally, and expects the same from his teammates.
One of the key perimeter players for the Wildcats is Bryant Barr, 6-4, junior, who came off the bench in a pressure situation against Kansas in the Elite Eight and scored 11 points in 13 minutes while missing only two shots. It was an impressive performance under difficult circumstances. It didn't cause him to blink.
McKillop said, “Bryant was called on to deliver points against Kansas at a time when most of our scoring options were coming up empty. He capitalized on the opportunity in big-time fashion.”
Barr worked hard in the off-season to improve his strength and quickness and thus his defense. He also worked on offensive moves that he hopes will make his game more versatile and less catch-and-shoot.
Also important to Davidson's perimeter attack is Will Archambault, 6-6, junior. He had surgery on both knees last spring to correct a problem that bothered him for much of his two Davidson seasons. The surgery appears to have been successful, which should free Archambault to produce at a high level.
“Even though he has battled nagging injuries that have been corrected by surgery, Will has shown flashes of brilliance,” McKillop said. “His determination to become a significant contributor is encouraging to his teammates and coaches. He has extraordinary potential in all facets of backcourt play. His passing skills might be the best on our team and he has the ability to shoot the ball from deep.”
Aaron Bond, 6-4, is another perimeter player whose season was interrupted by an injury to his right shoulder, which was corrected by January surgery. He played in only six games last season, which means that he began this season as a freshman as far as game experience is concerned. He's athletic, smoother than a bar of soap, and has the ability to score inside and out. He says his confidence is much higher than it was a season ago.
“Aaron can play all three of our perimeter positions,” McKillop said. “He's a very versatile player who has gotten stronger. He is fully recovered from the shoulder surgery, and now his biggest challenge is to overcome his lack of experience.”
Even without the talented Jason Richards, Davidson appears to have enough talent and depth in the backcourt to make the three perimeter positions a source of team strength.
The Frontcourt
Although there's no question that Davidson will miss veterans Thomas Sander and Boris Meno on the inside, there's an intriguing blend of veterans and young players that could more than make up for their absence, especially after getting a few games under their belt.
The leader of the group is Andrew Lovedale, 6-8, senior, who has made gargantuan strides in his game since first setting foot on the Davidson campus four years ago. He came to the Wildcats program as a superb athlete but lacking in many skills required of a post player in the American college game. With a fierce determination and unending work ethic, Lovedale improved on his already immense athleticism while becoming a talented, all-around basketball player. His basketball skills now make him a real threat on offense and defense.
Lovedale scored in double figures in three of Davidson's four NCAA tournament games last season, with many of those points coming at times when the games could have turned against the Wildcats. To show what he meant to last year's Elite Eight team, once coach McKillop inserted Lovedale into the starting lineup, Davidson went on a 25-game winning streak that didn't end until the two-point loss to Kansas, just a jump shot away from the Final Four.
“Andrew has been a jack of all trades for us,” McKillop says. “He scores in the paint, can make the short jumpers, rebounds and blocks shots, and plays excellent post defense. He's magnificent at fulfilling the role that we assign him. As I watched Andrew in the preseason, I would say his improvement will continue through his senior season. I'm thrilled with his commitment to get better. The results of his hard work are evident. He sets the tone for our frontcourt in terms of work ethic, and I expect Andrew to have another superb season.”
Davidson has the luxury of having another vastly improved player emerge as a force and leader in the frontcourt. Steve Rossiter, 6-7, played in all of Davidson's 36 games last season and made major contributions, especially on defense and rebounding. He's worked hard to improve his shot from 15 feet and in, as well as his stamina.
“Steve's contributions last season became extremely valuable to our team, especially as the season moved along,” McKillop said. “Just as Jason Richards mentored our backcourt players, Thomas and Boris served in the same capacity for our frontcourt players. Steve benefited from it. I believe he can fill many of the gaps left by (Sander's) graduation. He's competitive and tough and has an extremely high basketball IQ. He is one of our most outstanding leaders.”
Dan Nelms, 6-9, junior, lacks game experience but not desire. He's a workhorse, a gym rat, who loves basketball and can't get enough of it. He played sparingly in 17 games last season, but he spent most of his summer working on his post moves and his interior defense, as well as getting stronger.
“Dan could be the hardest worker on a hardworking team,” McKillop said. “We need to get him some game experience early in the season to best utilize his size, energy and still developing basketball skills.”
Ben Allison, 6-9, a redshirt freshman from West Sussex, England, is an interesting study, a young man who long nurtured a dream to play college basketball in America. He's going to be an excellent player before he graduates from Davidson but how soon before he's able to contribute is a question. However, there is no doubting his passion for the game or his desire to excel.
“The skill and athleticism he showed during his time last year on the scout team was impressive,” McKillop said. “It's time for him to use that talent in games, as well as to get a taste of the high level of competition he will face. Last year was a brand new experience for him in terms of the demands he faced each day in practice. He improved in small steps, and as he continues to improve, his role could become significant.”
Allison says he felt lost at times last season, but maintains that he's a more confident player now and plays more freely without worrying so much about being out of position or making a mistake. If true, he could become an inside force with the skills to score inside and out, as well as rebound and block shots.
Davidson's one scholarship freshman is Frank Ben-Eze, 6-9, who had knee surgery last spring but should be ready to go at full speed early in December. If he's able to contribute as a freshman he would give Davidson an athletic big man in the pivot to complement Lovedale and others.
“He could be our wildcard,” McKillop said. “He has extraordinary size and is a gifted athlete who is determined and competitive. If the dedication he displayed in rehabilitating his knee is an indication of his work ethic, he is going to have a big impact on our program during his career. He could provide us with a shot-blocker, as well as a rebounder and inside scorer.”
Davidson has two 6-4 freshman walk-ons in AJ Atkinson of Winston-Salem and Will Reigel of Charlotte. “We're fortunate to have these two young men in our program,” McKillop said. “Both of their fathers were outstanding Davidson athletes. They grew up with Davidson in their blood.”
The Davidson Way
One of the hallmarks of McKillop's program is that there always seems to be a group of young men on hand to emerge as leaders after graduation losses to important players.
Two years ago, Davidson was picked in the preseason to finish fourth in the Southern Conference South Division after the team lost seven seniors to graduation. However, three juniors – Richards, Sander and Meno – stepped up as tri-captains and leaders. Joined by Curry, the precocious, sensational freshman, those Wildcats won the Southern Conference in a landslide en route to setting a school record for victories in a season – 29.
The passing of the leadership baton has occurred again, and seniors Lovedale, Paulhus Gosselin and Civi say they're ready to take on the role. They will be joined by underclassmen such as Curry, Rossiter and McKillop.
“Last year's three seniors set an example for the underclassmen that was invaluable,” coach McKillop notes. “Leadership in our program is a burning torch that is passed down from the seniors to underclassmen. It is passed down from class to class, year to year, and each season the torch burns brighter. It is this type of team leadership that has been a constant in our program.”
Like almost every college team in the nation, Davidson has question marks that must be answered in the positive if the Wildcats are to win a fourth straight Southern Conference championship and automatic berth in the NCAA tournament. How will Curry adjust to the mostly new experience of playing significant minutes at point guard? How long will it take the players behind him at the position to emerge? How will Archambault, Bond and Ben-Eze recover from off-season surgery? Will Barr be able to pick up from where he left off in his bombardment of Kansas? Will the defense match last year's that held opponents to 42 percent shooting from the field? How will Rossiter and others adjust to playing more minutes and bigger roles in the overall scheme?
Such questions make college basketball the most exciting of all sports. There's a new team each year, and the challenge is to build it into a hand-in-glove unit that has excellent chemistry to see it through challenges and adversity, good times and bad.
The Davidson Way under McKillop has demonstrated a keen knack for team building. This year's group appears set to make its own mark, write its own history, its own story.
“The Elite Eight experience of last season put our program on a different stage,” McKillop said. “We shared the success collectively. The spotlight shone on the players, the coaches, the school and the entire Davidson community. All of us realize how fortunate we were to experience such a season.”
The Wildcats thoroughly enjoyed that ride to basketball fame. But as senior Can Civi says, “The past is the past. We can't dwell on it.”
This is a new Davidson team, this 2009 group. They are ready to move ahead and see what unfolds. The joy of last season has not brought contentment or complacency, not to the coaches or players. Not to this program. McKillop and team leaders will see to that.
They were close last year. Oh, so close to the school's first ever trip to the Final Four. Can the Wildcats continue to get better this season? Why not work hard, be determined and have the courage to hang on to a dream, even if it's a glorious dream?
That, too, is the Davidson Way.
In a way it's hard to blame them, because the Wildcats often made it look so easy, winning by wide margins on many occasions. Richards, Sander and Meno enjoyed more basketball victories than any graduating class in the school's history – and that takes in some impressive territory. The cumulative record of the four Davidson teams they played on bordered on the ridiculous. The overall mark was 101 wins, 32 losses. Their regular-season record against Southern Conference opponents was 63-6. And their SoCon tournament record was 10-1.
Two of their teams won 29 games, the most wins in a single season by any Davidson team. All four of their Davidson teams played in the postseason. The freshman year resulted in a trip to the NIT with road wins over Virginia Commonwealth and Southwest Missouri State before losing at Maryland. Three consecutive Southern Conference tournament titles followed with the prize being three trips to the NCAA tournament, where the overall record was 3-3.
Last year was better than a stage play. The Wildcats went 20-0 in the Southern Conference, won three games in the conference tournament by an average of 26 points, and then captured the hearts of the college basketball community with dramatic NCAA wins over Gonzaga and Georgetown, a thorough defeat of Big Ten champion Wisconsin before finally losing to eventual national champion Kansas 59-57 in the Elite Eight before a crowd of 57,563 at Ford Field in Detroit.
The bad news, of course, is that Richards, Sander and Meno have graduated. The good news is that the incomparable All-America Stephen Curry and a strong supporting cast return.
Will this be a season of rebuilding or reloading for the Wildcats? The answer will be revealed as the season unfolds. For sure, the expectations of those who support and follow Davidson basketball are sky-high. The players are used to it, though, and don't seem to consider it at all debilitating.
“The reinforcement we received from so many of our fans, alumni and students following our success in the NCAA tournament served as an inspiration to us heading into last spring, summer and fall,” McKillop said. “The extra weeks of practice and games that we gained by playing in the NCAA tournament, plus the success we had on such a big stage, give us great confidence as we move forward.”
McKillop is a wise man, however. He knows he lost a poised and confident point guard in Richards who led the nation last season with 8.1 assists a game and was the team's second leading scorer at 12.8. Sander was Davidson's best post defender, a master of good plays, and maybe the world leader in drawing charges. He just knew how to play the game. Meno was second on the team in blocked shots with 28 and gave the Wildcats an athletic big man off the bench.
So, how does Davidson go about mixing and matching to replace those three superb players and leaders? It's no guarantee it can be done, but others who have been waiting their turn will now get their chance. It's what makes college basketball enjoyable – and unpredictable.
The Backcourt
Of course, Davidson has an extraordinary player and leader in Stephen Curry, 6-3, junior, who grabbed the NCAA tournament by the throat last year by scoring 40 points in the win over Gonzaga, 30 in the defeat of Georgetown (25 in the second half), 33 in the 17-point win over Wisconsin and 25 against Kansas.
Although he was not a highly recruited player out of high school, Curry's name popped up on just about everybody's preseason All-America list this season. He averaged 25.9 points a game as a sophomore while connecting on better than 44 percent of his 3-point attempts. He earned the right to be ranked with the best in the college game.
“He is a versatile player who gets better each day,” McKillop says. “He gained experience playing at point guard when Jason Richards was out of the game, and that should prove valuable to him this year. His style at point guard will be entirely different from Jason's, but we are confident he will handle it well.”
Curry spent a good bit of last summer at point guard camps run by NBA players. Those sessions not only improved his skills needed to play point guard but also his decision making.
“Steph will be superbly supported at point by other outstanding players on our team,” McKillop says.
Those include Brendan McKillop, 6-0, a remarkable perimeter shooter who has a fine understanding of how Davidson wants the game to be played. His biggest handicap heading into his sophomore season is a lack of playing time. Somehow he's going to need to find a way to make up for it, which will require extra work and study, both of which he is more than willing to provide.
“With our demanding schedule last year along with the other challenges that we faced, Brendan didn't get the early-season minutes that our freshman backups usually get,” Coach McKillop explained. “He was short-changed there. However, his daily routine of practicing against Jason Richards, Steph Curry and Max Paulhus Gosselin was invaluable to him. That, along with playing on an Elite Eight team, gave him confidence that should help him this season.”
Can Civi, 6-1, senior, is a popular team member who contributed mostly in practice during his first three seasons. But those contributions were quite valuable to his team's success.
Two other team members could also contribute at point guard if necessary — Paulhus Gosselin and Aaron Bond. Paulhus Gosselin, 6-6, senior, played some point in high school and during his freshman season at Davidson. He also played the point on the Canadian National Team's practice squad last summer. Bond played point guard in his freshman and sophomore season in high school at Georgetown Prep. McKillop said Bond's “athleticism could be utilized to shore up any holes we might experience at point guard.”
Paulhus Gosselin returns as one of Davidson's most versatile and valuable players. He is the catalyst for the Wildcats, both offensively and defensively. He brings such a high energy level to the court that his teammates feed off it, which pushes them to step up their own games.
“Max continues to grow as a player and leader,” McKillop says. “We like to be in an attack mode on offense and defense, and he is our catalyst. His energy level is always at the very highest, and he works endlessly in his quest to improve his skills. He is a model of hard work and teamwork, and his progress at Davidson could be measured in giant steps.”
One of the key perimeter players for the Wildcats is Bryant Barr, 6-4, junior, who came off the bench in a pressure situation against Kansas in the Elite Eight and scored 11 points in 13 minutes while missing only two shots. It was an impressive performance under difficult circumstances. It didn't cause him to blink.
McKillop said, “Bryant was called on to deliver points against Kansas at a time when most of our scoring options were coming up empty. He capitalized on the opportunity in big-time fashion.”
Barr worked hard in the off-season to improve his strength and quickness and thus his defense. He also worked on offensive moves that he hopes will make his game more versatile and less catch-and-shoot.
Also important to Davidson's perimeter attack is Will Archambault, 6-6, junior. He had surgery on both knees last spring to correct a problem that bothered him for much of his two Davidson seasons. The surgery appears to have been successful, which should free Archambault to produce at a high level.
“Even though he has battled nagging injuries that have been corrected by surgery, Will has shown flashes of brilliance,” McKillop said. “His determination to become a significant contributor is encouraging to his teammates and coaches. He has extraordinary potential in all facets of backcourt play. His passing skills might be the best on our team and he has the ability to shoot the ball from deep.”
Aaron Bond, 6-4, is another perimeter player whose season was interrupted by an injury to his right shoulder, which was corrected by January surgery. He played in only six games last season, which means that he began this season as a freshman as far as game experience is concerned. He's athletic, smoother than a bar of soap, and has the ability to score inside and out. He says his confidence is much higher than it was a season ago.
“Aaron can play all three of our perimeter positions,” McKillop said. “He's a very versatile player who has gotten stronger. He is fully recovered from the shoulder surgery, and now his biggest challenge is to overcome his lack of experience.”
Even without the talented Jason Richards, Davidson appears to have enough talent and depth in the backcourt to make the three perimeter positions a source of team strength.
The Frontcourt
Although there's no question that Davidson will miss veterans Thomas Sander and Boris Meno on the inside, there's an intriguing blend of veterans and young players that could more than make up for their absence, especially after getting a few games under their belt.
The leader of the group is Andrew Lovedale, 6-8, senior, who has made gargantuan strides in his game since first setting foot on the Davidson campus four years ago. He came to the Wildcats program as a superb athlete but lacking in many skills required of a post player in the American college game. With a fierce determination and unending work ethic, Lovedale improved on his already immense athleticism while becoming a talented, all-around basketball player. His basketball skills now make him a real threat on offense and defense.
“Andrew has been a jack of all trades for us,” McKillop says. “He scores in the paint, can make the short jumpers, rebounds and blocks shots, and plays excellent post defense. He's magnificent at fulfilling the role that we assign him. As I watched Andrew in the preseason, I would say his improvement will continue through his senior season. I'm thrilled with his commitment to get better. The results of his hard work are evident. He sets the tone for our frontcourt in terms of work ethic, and I expect Andrew to have another superb season.”
Davidson has the luxury of having another vastly improved player emerge as a force and leader in the frontcourt. Steve Rossiter, 6-7, played in all of Davidson's 36 games last season and made major contributions, especially on defense and rebounding. He's worked hard to improve his shot from 15 feet and in, as well as his stamina.
“Steve's contributions last season became extremely valuable to our team, especially as the season moved along,” McKillop said. “Just as Jason Richards mentored our backcourt players, Thomas and Boris served in the same capacity for our frontcourt players. Steve benefited from it. I believe he can fill many of the gaps left by (Sander's) graduation. He's competitive and tough and has an extremely high basketball IQ. He is one of our most outstanding leaders.”
Dan Nelms, 6-9, junior, lacks game experience but not desire. He's a workhorse, a gym rat, who loves basketball and can't get enough of it. He played sparingly in 17 games last season, but he spent most of his summer working on his post moves and his interior defense, as well as getting stronger.
Ben Allison, 6-9, a redshirt freshman from West Sussex, England, is an interesting study, a young man who long nurtured a dream to play college basketball in America. He's going to be an excellent player before he graduates from Davidson but how soon before he's able to contribute is a question. However, there is no doubting his passion for the game or his desire to excel.
“The skill and athleticism he showed during his time last year on the scout team was impressive,” McKillop said. “It's time for him to use that talent in games, as well as to get a taste of the high level of competition he will face. Last year was a brand new experience for him in terms of the demands he faced each day in practice. He improved in small steps, and as he continues to improve, his role could become significant.”
Allison says he felt lost at times last season, but maintains that he's a more confident player now and plays more freely without worrying so much about being out of position or making a mistake. If true, he could become an inside force with the skills to score inside and out, as well as rebound and block shots.
Davidson's one scholarship freshman is Frank Ben-Eze, 6-9, who had knee surgery last spring but should be ready to go at full speed early in December. If he's able to contribute as a freshman he would give Davidson an athletic big man in the pivot to complement Lovedale and others.
“He could be our wildcard,” McKillop said. “He has extraordinary size and is a gifted athlete who is determined and competitive. If the dedication he displayed in rehabilitating his knee is an indication of his work ethic, he is going to have a big impact on our program during his career. He could provide us with a shot-blocker, as well as a rebounder and inside scorer.”
Davidson has two 6-4 freshman walk-ons in AJ Atkinson of Winston-Salem and Will Reigel of Charlotte. “We're fortunate to have these two young men in our program,” McKillop said. “Both of their fathers were outstanding Davidson athletes. They grew up with Davidson in their blood.”
One of the hallmarks of McKillop's program is that there always seems to be a group of young men on hand to emerge as leaders after graduation losses to important players.
Two years ago, Davidson was picked in the preseason to finish fourth in the Southern Conference South Division after the team lost seven seniors to graduation. However, three juniors – Richards, Sander and Meno – stepped up as tri-captains and leaders. Joined by Curry, the precocious, sensational freshman, those Wildcats won the Southern Conference in a landslide en route to setting a school record for victories in a season – 29.
The passing of the leadership baton has occurred again, and seniors Lovedale, Paulhus Gosselin and Civi say they're ready to take on the role. They will be joined by underclassmen such as Curry, Rossiter and McKillop.
“Last year's three seniors set an example for the underclassmen that was invaluable,” coach McKillop notes. “Leadership in our program is a burning torch that is passed down from the seniors to underclassmen. It is passed down from class to class, year to year, and each season the torch burns brighter. It is this type of team leadership that has been a constant in our program.”
Like almost every college team in the nation, Davidson has question marks that must be answered in the positive if the Wildcats are to win a fourth straight Southern Conference championship and automatic berth in the NCAA tournament. How will Curry adjust to the mostly new experience of playing significant minutes at point guard? How long will it take the players behind him at the position to emerge? How will Archambault, Bond and Ben-Eze recover from off-season surgery? Will Barr be able to pick up from where he left off in his bombardment of Kansas? Will the defense match last year's that held opponents to 42 percent shooting from the field? How will Rossiter and others adjust to playing more minutes and bigger roles in the overall scheme?
Such questions make college basketball the most exciting of all sports. There's a new team each year, and the challenge is to build it into a hand-in-glove unit that has excellent chemistry to see it through challenges and adversity, good times and bad.
The Davidson Way under McKillop has demonstrated a keen knack for team building. This year's group appears set to make its own mark, write its own history, its own story.
“The Elite Eight experience of last season put our program on a different stage,” McKillop said. “We shared the success collectively. The spotlight shone on the players, the coaches, the school and the entire Davidson community. All of us realize how fortunate we were to experience such a season.”
The Wildcats thoroughly enjoyed that ride to basketball fame. But as senior Can Civi says, “The past is the past. We can't dwell on it.”
This is a new Davidson team, this 2009 group. They are ready to move ahead and see what unfolds. The joy of last season has not brought contentment or complacency, not to the coaches or players. Not to this program. McKillop and team leaders will see to that.
They were close last year. Oh, so close to the school's first ever trip to the Final Four. Can the Wildcats continue to get better this season? Why not work hard, be determined and have the courage to hang on to a dream, even if it's a glorious dream?
That, too, is the Davidson Way.
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