Men's squad, now at full strength, looks to salvage disappointing season

By Aaron Lichtig

The men's basketball team will play its second game of the season today. The team is 1-0.

Following their defeat of Swarthmore, the Elis feel like they are starting over. Despite their 1-12 start, they have reason to look forward to what Captain Charlie Petit, DC '99, calls a "new season."

The Bulldogs certainly have the talent to put together a strong finish to their campaign. David Tompkins, SY '99, has been a consistent force inside, and underclassmen Neil Yanke, MC '01, and Onaje Woodbine, BK '02, have emerged as offensive threats. With injuries to Petit and sixth man Jason Williams, PC '00, young players have had the chance to get playing time, adding valuable experience for later in the year.

They must, however, conquer the turnovers and shooting woes that have plagued the team since November. The squad realizes that if it takes better care of the ball, it can play with the best in the Ivy League. At the beginning of the season, the team set two goals: shoot over 50 percent from the field and make less than 10 turnovers per game. The only two games in which the Bulldogs met these goals were their two victories over New Hampshire and Swarthmore.

Offensive execution has been the team's main focus in practice this week. "We know what we have to do to win," Petit said. "We just need to execute. It's that simple." In order to improve their turnover differential, the Elis will attempt to play a faster-paced game for the rest of the season, forcing more turnovers than they cause and keeping the offense from stagnating in a half-court set.

Going into the Swarthmore game, the Bulldogs had suffered for almost two months without a victory. While Swarthmore is a lightly regarded Division III team, the Elis still had something to prove. Following a well-played 77-48 victory, they believe they have not only proven something to their detractors, but also--and more importantly--to themselves. "We know how to win again. We know that things are turning around," Petit said. "After the Swarthmore game, there was a new feeling in the locker room and a new feeling in practice as well."

The long-awaited returns of Petit and Williams have the coaching staff smiling and opponents cowering. Petit, who is still hampered by a broken foot, has been cleared to return to action against Brown on Fri., Jan. 22. Petit has only appeared in one game this year, the Yale victory over New Hampshire. "Charlie produces on offense and is a great leader as well," Woodbine said. Petit's smooth jumper should keep defenders honest, forcing the opposing guards to stop doubling down on post players Tompkins and Yanke and opening up more high-percentage shots for the big men.

But more crucial than Petit's high-percentage shot is his high level of enthusiasm and desire. "Hey, this [season] is my last shot, and I love this game," Petit said. His return to the court should make his job as captain easier as well. "I lead by example, and that's tough to do when you're sitting on the bench," Petit said.

Williams, a lightning-quick swingman, brings depth to the offense. "Jason is a real spark, a great defender, and probably our best athlete," Petit said. Williams is invaluable when head coach Dick Kuchen goes to the full-court press that worked so well against Swarthmore's undersized guards. "He gives us so much energy coming off the bench and can be a big part of our running game," Woodbine said.

While the team's original goal of gaining the Ivy title is probably unrealistic, given its 0-3 start and the strength of the Princeton and Pennsylvania squads, the Elis still feel they can make this season a success. "We can beat every team left on our schedule," Petit said. "We need to have fewer lapses, and play with pride all of the time."

The team will take on Brown at home on Fri., Jan. 22, at 9 p.m. The Bears have already defeated Yale this year, but this time the Bulldogs are better prepared. "Last time we came out without any aggressiveness and let them think that they had a chance in the first five minutes," Woodbine said. The team will also try to press Brown's guards and force turnovers, while the Yale guards will focus especially hard on taking care of the ball. They must also stop Kamal Rountree '00 who torched Yale for 20 points in their first meeting. The presence of Petit should energize the team, and his teammates hope he will be able to contribute despite his still-tender foot.

The Bulldogs know what they must do. "We have to approach every game like it's our last," Woodbine explained. "We can beat anyone, including Princeton and Penn, when they come up here." Petit was equally optimistic. "If things go as planned, we can turn this thing around," he said.

Photo of Neil Yanke, MC '01, by Julia Tiernan.

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