To the outside world, it seemed as if the UMBC men?s basketball program hit a low point when head coach Randy Monroe barred his players from the lockerroom this past season.
Instead, it was a motivating device the coach used to regain his players? commitment to the program.
“I had no problems the rest of the season with our players playing hard,” Monroe said. “And that was my point, that these young men represent our university the way we want to represent our university.”
Now others are signing up to commit to Monroe?s program, with incoming freshman Justin Fry and a trio of transfers joining the Retrievers, who went 10-19 this past season.
The transfers won?t be eligible until the 2007-2008 season. But the 6-foot-9 Fry will be part of a frontcourt that will focus on rebounding. Fry, however, can also pull out on the perimeter and knock down shots, too.
“He?s a beanpole, but he?s a lefty who can really shoot,” Monroe said. “He?s a fierce competitor. I think his best days are certainly ahead of him.”
Not only does Monroe add Fry; he?ll also get back a player he hoped to have on the court last winter.
Redshirt freshman Matt Spadafora missed the 2005-2006 season with an illness. Monroe said the 6-foot-5 swingman is a very good athlete and will be a “tremendous asset.”
“You don?t try to bank on freshmen, but sometimes the freshmen step up and answer the bell,” Monroe said. “But that?s why you play them.”
The Retrievers return 11 players from last season, but lose two seniors who accounted for roughly 25 points per game.
Monroe noted that forwards John Zito and Jerrell Dinkins improved throughout their careers. Now he?ll look for others to do the same.
The early season non-conference schedule will challenge those returning veterans.
Big dates include visits to Michigan, St. Johns and George Washington. The Retrievers open the season at home with local rival Loyola. GW had the best NCAA record in regular-season play last season.
“There are no gimmies,” Monroe said. “That?s the way we like to play, because we feel it prepares us for our conference.”
RETRIEVING FUTURE STARS
A look at UMBC?s incoming freshman recruit:
» Justin Fry (West Perry High School, Elliottsburg, Pa.), a 6-foot-9 forward who was named Pensylvania co player of the year as a senior. Led his team to the state semifinals, averaging 20 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks per game as a senior.
A look at UMBC?s incoming transfers (ineligible until 07-08):
» Both Ray Barbosa and Cavell Johnson come to UMBC from James Madison University. Barbosa is a 6-foot-3 guard “who can score,” according to Monroe. He averaged 14.9 points per game in 2004-05, then dropped to 9.8 last season for a team that was 5-23. Johnson is a 6-foot-8 swing player, who can post up and “play above the rim,” Monroe said. Johnson averaged 12.4 points per game in 2004-05, and 13.4 in just seven games last season for JMU.
» Darryl Proctor comes to UMBC from Coppin State. Monroe calls him “a cheap 6-foot-4?? player without a position that finds a way to get things done. “Simply put, he?s a winner,” Monroe said.
