Who knew that recruiting could be so dangerous?
Coach Bobby Collins of Winston-Salem State found out.
Collins, while attending one of the many summer high-school tournaments, slipped in a hotel-room shower and broke a bone in a foot. He has since recovered, and he's hoping that his team can stay healthy, too.
"This team is a mixture of youth and experience," Collins said of his fourth team at WSSU. "We're one year more experienced, and we have nine talented newcomers. I think that this team will be very competitive this season."
The Rams will be playing a Division I schedule even though the school has stopped its transition to Division I. They will be back in the CIAA next season, but Collins' challenge this season will be not looking too far ahead.
"I've told our guys, they want to play at the Division I level," Collins said. "So let's go out and play our hardest every night. But at the same time, let's not get it all twisted because the CIAA is just as competitive as Division I basketball."
Collins' four-year contract will expire in March, but he said he's used to facing an uncertain future. He has a 25-64 record at WSSU, including 8-22 last season.
"That's been the story of my life," Collins said. "It happened at Hampton seemingly every year. I'd like to be able to coach without the pressures of that, but you can't coach with the tension and the pressure of it being the last year on the contract."
Collins should have his best team, thanks to his last two recruiting classes. Point guard Andrew Jackson, a junior-college transfer, will jump right into the starting lineup.
Shelton Carter, a talented 6-5 forward from Greensboro and a transfer from Charleston Southern, redshirted last season and also will start.
Isiah Tucker, the starting point guard last season, transferred out of WSSU, and Jamal Durham exhausted his eligibility. Those were the two biggest losses.
The other starters are expected to be: shooting guard Brian Fisher, a senior who led the Rams in scoring (13.9 ppg); center Corey Morris, a 6-10 junior; and forward McIntoche Alcius, a 6-6 junior and the player that Collins says has improved the most from last season.
"I can see such a big change in them," Collins said of Alcius and Morris. "I've always had good post players who can handle the basketball. And (Alcius) is playing at a different level right now, and if he can sustain that, it's really going to help us."
Seniors Diontae Gibson (out most of last season after knee surgery) and Brandon Hobbs will add depth in the backcourt, and both know Collins' system well. Sophomore Lamar Monger can play either guard position.
Backcourt newcomers Dominic Alston and freshman Marcus Wells have impressed Collins, and point guard Tate Kennings also will see playing time.
"He has tons of potential," Collins said of Wells, a late qualifier who was being recruited by bigger schools.
"When he was in high school, he was so much bigger and stronger at the point-guard position, but in college, it's different so those are the challenges he's going to be facing."
Alston isn't afraid to shoot the ball.
"Dominic Alston is a prolific shooter, and he led us against Appalachian State in a scrimmage and only played 16 or 17 minutes," Collins said. "So he really likes to shoot the ball. He has no conscience when he has the basketball."
Center Paul Davis hasn't practiced yet after offseason hip surgery, and Collins said that it will take him a little longer to get back to full strength. Davis, 6-9 and the team's best shot-blocker, averaged 6.5 points and 5.4 rebounds last season.
"We've got to get Paul back because he's a big part of what we do," Collins said.
Freshmen Sam Johnson (6-9) and Ignas Palaima (6-11) will add depth to the frontcourt. They are former teammates at Asheville Christian, and they have shown flashes of good play for the Rams.
"They are coming along pretty well and I will use them," Collins said. "I don't have the luxury to redshirt. Our motto is 'win today.'"
jdell@wsjournal.com
727-4081
Coach Bobby Collins of Winston-Salem State found out.
Collins, while attending one of the many summer high-school tournaments, slipped in a hotel-room shower and broke a bone in a foot. He has since recovered, and he's hoping that his team can stay healthy, too.
"This team is a mixture of youth and experience," Collins said of his fourth team at WSSU. "We're one year more experienced, and we have nine talented newcomers. I think that this team will be very competitive this season."
The Rams will be playing a Division I schedule even though the school has stopped its transition to Division I. They will be back in the CIAA next season, but Collins' challenge this season will be not looking too far ahead.
"I've told our guys, they want to play at the Division I level," Collins said. "So let's go out and play our hardest every night. But at the same time, let's not get it all twisted because the CIAA is just as competitive as Division I basketball."
Collins' four-year contract will expire in March, but he said he's used to facing an uncertain future. He has a 25-64 record at WSSU, including 8-22 last season.
"That's been the story of my life," Collins said. "It happened at Hampton seemingly every year. I'd like to be able to coach without the pressures of that, but you can't coach with the tension and the pressure of it being the last year on the contract."
Collins should have his best team, thanks to his last two recruiting classes. Point guard Andrew Jackson, a junior-college transfer, will jump right into the starting lineup.
Shelton Carter, a talented 6-5 forward from Greensboro and a transfer from Charleston Southern, redshirted last season and also will start.
Isiah Tucker, the starting point guard last season, transferred out of WSSU, and Jamal Durham exhausted his eligibility. Those were the two biggest losses.
The other starters are expected to be: shooting guard Brian Fisher, a senior who led the Rams in scoring (13.9 ppg); center Corey Morris, a 6-10 junior; and forward McIntoche Alcius, a 6-6 junior and the player that Collins says has improved the most from last season.
"I can see such a big change in them," Collins said of Alcius and Morris. "I've always had good post players who can handle the basketball. And (Alcius) is playing at a different level right now, and if he can sustain that, it's really going to help us."
Seniors Diontae Gibson (out most of last season after knee surgery) and Brandon Hobbs will add depth in the backcourt, and both know Collins' system well. Sophomore Lamar Monger can play either guard position.
Backcourt newcomers Dominic Alston and freshman Marcus Wells have impressed Collins, and point guard Tate Kennings also will see playing time.
"He has tons of potential," Collins said of Wells, a late qualifier who was being recruited by bigger schools.
"When he was in high school, he was so much bigger and stronger at the point-guard position, but in college, it's different so those are the challenges he's going to be facing."
Alston isn't afraid to shoot the ball.
"Dominic Alston is a prolific shooter, and he led us against Appalachian State in a scrimmage and only played 16 or 17 minutes," Collins said. "So he really likes to shoot the ball. He has no conscience when he has the basketball."
Center Paul Davis hasn't practiced yet after offseason hip surgery, and Collins said that it will take him a little longer to get back to full strength. Davis, 6-9 and the team's best shot-blocker, averaged 6.5 points and 5.4 rebounds last season.
"We've got to get Paul back because he's a big part of what we do," Collins said.
Freshmen Sam Johnson (6-9) and Ignas Palaima (6-11) will add depth to the frontcourt. They are former teammates at Asheville Christian, and they have shown flashes of good play for the Rams.
"They are coming along pretty well and I will use them," Collins said. "I don't have the luxury to redshirt. Our motto is 'win today.'"
jdell@wsjournal.com
727-4081
