It was a lonely bus ride back to Wayne State for the men’s basketball team after losing 44-47 against the Grand Valley State Lakers in the GLIAC semi-finals. It also signaled the end of veteran leadership from guards Larry Edwards and Bryan Wright.
Wright and Edwards didn’t want their collegiate basketball careers to end in a three-point loss to a team they had just beaten days earlier by 14. They wanted to win the championship. This year’s team could have done just that.
Coach David Greer has always told his players that winning is contagious and so is losing. Oftentimes, losing games was very contagious; losing eight games by five points or less and six by three points or less. This team was just as athletic and talented as every other team in the GLIAC, and in the last few games of the season they showed that.
Coming into the year there was little doubt that the Warriors could not matchup with any team in the GLIAC. The return of Wright, Edwards, Bryan Smothers, Jerry Oden and transfer Ike Udanoh signaled that this team had leadership and chemistry on the court.
Mental lapses, missed assignments, poor shooting and unforced turnovers hurt the Warriors in many of their losses.
Udanoh worked hard to live up to the hype that had been made about him prior to the season, but he struggled at times. Oden and Wright were the two most consistent players this past season.
There is good and bad news out of those two because Oden returns next year, which is a good thing, but Wright is done and players like transfer Stacey Waters and Smothers will have to step up to supplement the shooting that Wright provided.
Smothers got back into a groove by the last four games of the season. He played some inspired basketball, which is what they are going to need from him now. Sophomore Dale Brundidge, the defensive specialist out of Country Day High School, has got to make his presence known next season.
Edwards is gone, and the starting point guard position is up for grabs. There is no reason why Brundidge shouldn’t step into that position. The two players two watch out for are Ian Larkin and Mike Hollingsworth. Both players have showed there athleticism, ability to shoot, rebound and contribute offensively to this team.
Larkin’s role will be big now that Bryan Edwards is done. Larkin could truly be a valuable sixth man for the Warriors next year with his instant scoring.
Hollingsworth could definitely be in a starting position next season because of his ability to create his own shot.
All in all this will be a very busy off-season for the coaching staff and players. Players must get in the weight room and get some one-on-one help, while the coaching staff looks for some bigs and shooters.
End of Season Grades
Bryan Wright, A-, Wright put the team on his shoulders for many of the close contest throughout the season. The only issue with Wright was getting his teammates involved and his on court leadership.
Dale Brundidge, C, Brundidge struggled this season and never really contributed the way that he did his rookie season. Brundidge is a defensive specialists but he has to work on his offensive game this off-season. The Warriors need him to step up.
Larry Edwards, B, Edwards led his team vocally and in his play. He guarded bigger guards and players and that is part of the reason why he is All-Defensive. Edwards reluctant to shoot turned it on at the end of the season.
Bryan Smothers, B-, Smothers had a shooting slump that really hurt the Warriors because teams zoned the Warriors and Smothers couldn’t knock down shots. What I did like from Smothers is that he didn’t quit. He turned on the aggression late in the season and contributed in a big way to the last couple of wins. He has to be a vocal leader next season.
Jerry Oden, B+, Oden is a very emotional player, often having to turn away from the ref’s to keep from getting a technical foul. He is a great team captain and throws his body out there for his team. Oden was one of the most consistent players and he will be ready for his senior season next year. Oden has to work on knowing when to foul and when not too. He can’t help this team back to the GLIAC sitting on the bench.
Ian Larkin, B-, Larkin came back from injury and definitely showed that he has a spot on this team. His contribution off the bench was good and he can step out and shoot the jumper.
Mike Hollingsworth, C+, Hollingsworth definitely has a spot next season in the rotation. He contributed off the bench in a few games for the Warriors.
Ike Udanoh, B-, Udanoh was solid in a lot of the games for the Warriors. They will need his length and post ability more next season.
Bryan Edwards, C+, Edwards, who is probably one of the most energetic and athletic players on the team got involved way too late in the season. What we saw from Edwards in the final few games was what the team needed all season. Edwards rebounded, blocked shots, and scored which is what we knew he could do but we got a lot a little too late.
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