SHU men鈥檚 basketball turns to new leaders after crucial players transfer
FAIRFIELD, Conn. (BVM) — Coming off a 20-13 (12-6 Northeast Conference [NEC]) record in 2019-20, eighth-year head coach Anthony Latina and the Sacred Heart University (SHU) men鈥檚 basketball team is looking to improve on its NEC tournament semi-final appearance. This season, the Pioneers will be without four of their five top scorers from last year due to transfers and or professional opportunities, with nine new players coming in to fill that void.
Point guard Cameron Parker, who set the NCAA single-game record for assists with 24 last season, and also averaged a team-high 7.8 assists per game, transferred to Montana. Forward E.J. Anosike averaged a double-double in 2019-20 with a team-leading 15.7 points and 11.6 rebounds per game, but transferred to Tennessee as a graduate transfer.
Center Jare鈥檒 Spellmen was top-10 in NCAA Division I in blocks in 2018-19 but signed a professional contract with Team Fog Naestved in Denmark. Finally, guard Koreem Ozier was SHU鈥檚 second-leading scorer with 14 points per game but transferred to Louisiana Monroe.
鈥淭here are definitely some new challenges to deal with but we have a terrific group of people that are extremely self-motivated, hardworking, mentally tough, and have a great attitude,鈥� said Latina. 鈥淲hen you have that, good things have a chance to happen!鈥�
The only top-five scorer returning to the team is junior guard Aaron Clarke, who averaged 11.3 points per game last season, playing extended minutes after Parker broke his ankle.
鈥淎aron Clarke showed during the second half of last season that he can be one of the best guards in our league and we expect that from him again this year,鈥� said Latina.
Another guard who will potentially partner with Clarke in the backcourt is sophomore Tyler Thomas, who finished the 2019-20 season with 5.6 points per game.
鈥淭homas had moments of greatness last year and we really believe he has a chance to be one of the most improved players in our league this year,鈥� said Latina.
Junior forward Zach Pfaffenberger, who averaged three points per game last season, took the back seat to the potent duo of Anosike and Spellman, but Latina thinks he is ready for a leading role with the Pioneers.
鈥淶ach was extremely productive and efficient when he got his opportunities last year and with the departure of EJ and Jare鈥檒,鈥� said Latina. 鈥淗is role will increase a great deal and with that so will his production!鈥�
The NCAA announced that college basketball will be starting on Nov. 25, with teams finally relieved to hear confirmation about when their season will start. For Latina, he knows that even though there will be a season, he will make sure his players are focused on whatever possible delays come their way.
鈥淭he most important thing we are trying to do in preparing for a potentially uncertain season is to be as patient and as flexible as possible,鈥� said Latina. 鈥淲e know we are going to have to adapt to potentially many unusual situations so when that does happen we are going to have to be able to adapt and figure it out!鈥�
After finishing fourth in the NEC last year, Latina has high hopes for his team this season and has a positive view about integrating the new players with the returners.
鈥淲e are very excited about our returners and feel that we have recruited some talented new players, that are high character individuals who are committed to working and getting better,鈥� said Latina. “There may be some setbacks early but we are optimistic about this group and where we can be in March!鈥�
