Men's Basketball Strives for Itriprweflffent, Success

THE PENDULUM PAGE 22 11 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2010 SPORTS Men’s basketball strives for itriprweflffent, success Conor O'Neill Assistant Sports Editor As Elon University men’s basketball head coach Matt Matheny will explain, laying the foundation for a premier basketball program takes dedication. Last season, his first at the helm for the Phoenix, Matheny’s team finished with a 9-23 record. That mark failed to indicate how much the team improved over the course of the season, as the team ended the year by winning five of its last 11 contests. Included in that span was a first-round Southern Conference Tournament victory over perennial tournament juggernaut Davidson College, where Matheny had spent all of his previous years coaching, by a 66-59 score. Although the team was ousted from the tournament in its next game, Elon now prepares to build on the foundation that has been laid in the past year. The team has been able to progress through its first practices of the season at a much faster rate than last year, Matheny said. “(We are) light years ahead of where we were last year, just in terms of a comfort level with what we’re doing within our system, with our style of play,” he said. Matheny also said that last year, Elon University men’s basketball head coach Matt Matheny had to teach his team a new system last season in his first year with the Phoenix. it was as if 15 freshmen were on the roster when practices began because of how much each player had to learn within the system. This season, there is a different PREVIOUS 5 COACHES’ story in practice. FIRST SEASON “The biggest difference is that we actually have players who know what RECORDS they’re doing now," senior guard Chris Long said. “So instead of the Ernie Nestor (2003-2009) coaches trying to explain the system to 15 guys, we have the coaches and 12-18, 7-9 in conference the veteran players try to explain the Mark Simons (1993-2003) system to five or six guys." Having this advantage will be key 5-21,3-11 in conference for the Phoenix immediately, as the Bob Burton (1986-1993) team plays a number of top teams in 20-11, 11 -5 in conference the college basketball landscape. With four games against Atlantic Bill Morningstar (1979-1986) Coast Conference teams, including 15-12, 9-6 in conference a matchup with No. 1 and defending national champion Duke University, Bill Miller (1959-1979) the Phoenix has set up a challenging 9-17, 5-11 in conference out-of-conference schedule. “1 think it’s great to be able to travel and play at those places and play against that kind of competition coaching staff are able to move faster early," junior guard Drew Spradlin than last year at this time, they are said. able to add more dimensions to Two of those games against ACC offensive and defensive strategies. opponents will take place in the Particularly on defense, the Greensboro Coliseum, with Elon Phoenix spent most of its games playing host to Wake Forest and North playing a basic man-on-man defense. Carolina State University. This season, the game plans could be “The ACC Tournament is in the different. Greensboro Coliseum, so ACC teams “We’ll have a lot of zones in our have an interest in playing in the arsenal," Matheny said. “We always Coliseum,” Matheny said. “So we were have it available. Depending on how able to work out with the Coliseum our guys pick it up and who we're ii the opportunity to host games there. playing, we’ll determine how much It’s a great opportunity for us." we use it.” FILE PHOTO Matheny continued and pointed Playing zone defenses sits well After learning a system as a freshman under former head coach Ernie Nestor, junior guard Drew out that aside from the benefits with at least one player for the Spradlin had to adjust to a new system the very next year with the coaching change. the players receive from facing Phoenix. top competition, the program also “I’m a fan of zones, because I’m receives a boost. not the most athletic person in the “It helps us in recruiting," Matheny world,” Long joked before taking said. “There is not a young man in the a more serious tone. “But anytime country that’s a basketball player who you can change things up a little wouldn’t love playing in those venues bit and spice it up with new looks, it every night. So, it’s a step that we definitely doesn’t hurt.” wanted to take with our schedule. It’s Another Phoenix player still felt a very challenging schedule, but it’s a that the team would employ more rewarding schedule for our players." man-to-man defense than zone. According to Long, the reward for “Coach said at the end of practice the players is that there will be no he wanted to use zone more this surprises once the team moves into year,” Spradlin said. “We’re a man-to- playing SoCon games. man defensive team. I think you’re “After (playing top-level teams), going to see a lot of man to man.” you come into conference play and no Regardless of what defense game in conference that you’re going the Phoenix uses this season, to play can be that tough," Long said. encouragement can be seen in the “It gets you mentally and physically fact that the team is discussing prepared for the season." different defensive strategies this He also joked that the team felt as early in the season. if it had made the move into the ACC, •After all, at this point last season, with games at Duke and Maryland Matheny said he felt as if he had a and the two games at the Coliseum team of 15 freshmen. With a strong against Wake Forest and N.C. State. foundation laid, he said those .And in those games, Phoenix fans feelings have been diminished, could see few things different from and he can continue to advance the f il e p h o t o last year. Because Matheny and his program. Senior guard Chris Long returns for a second year under Matheny, where he said he’ll better be able to help the new players learn how the Elon men's basketball team play as a team..

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