Basketball pines for big dance
By Brian Betz
Let's turn back the clock to 1996, shall we?
Basketball Gods, let this be the year that our basketball team returns to the NCAA Tournament. Let Broncos fans, and hell, even the bandwagon fans that would hop aboard, enjoy a tournament run. Not the 13-15 losing seasons we've stomached over the past two years.
The last time Santa Clara reached the "big dance" was in 1996. That year also marked a 91-79 first-round win over Maryland.
In an offseason where I've cared more about the team's health than if they've gelled, there's yet to be an injury to warrant Head Coach Dick Davey to bring out his box of red-shirts.
Sophomore guard Brandon Rohe just started practicing with the team after being out over a month with a back injury. Freshman center Sean Denison has a foot injury as well. I'll keep my fingers crossed on those two guys as well as everyone else.
But this year has potential. With junior redshirt Kyle Bailey back alongside Rohe, the not-to-be-confused Ethan Rohde and transfer Doron Perkins, this cycle of guards should be both explosive in transition and dangerous from the perimeter. Rohe set the record for three-pointers made by a freshman in a season.
The Broncos will try to run three guards at all times, which will make for more exciting fast-break hoops, but will put more of an emphasis on the rebounding of the two posts in the game.
However, the depth at guard won't be the difference-maker that turns this team from league cellar-dweller into conference contender (although it will help). That will come in the post presence of senior Jim Howell.
An All-WCC Honorable Mention selection last year, Howell averaged nearly double-digits in scoring (9.0 points per game). This year his numbers should continue to swell if defenses have to respect the Broncos' outside shooting ability and quickness.
It will be a difficult road to March Madness, one that undoubtedly goes through No. 12 Gonzaga. But all it could take is a healthy Broncos squad and an upset or two in the conference tournament, and Santa Clara fans can crowd around their televisions for the NCAA selection show to see who they'll play should they win the WCC.
In which case, I'll have my dancing shoes ready.
Contact Brian Betz at (408) 554-4852 or bbetz@scu.edu.