One concept Morgan State men?s basketball coach Todd Bozeman grasps more than most coaches is patience.
After being out of the game for a decade as punishment for NCAA infractions he committed while coaching at California, Bozeman learned that staying calm and looking at the big picture helps in leading to a successful future. That?s Bozeman?s approach to his first season with the Bears, who are now 0-5 following an 86-72 home loss to Maryland-Baltimore County Monday night.
“I didn?t stay out of the game for 10 years to just fold up my tent after an 0-5 start,” Bozeman said.
Like any coach taking over a struggling program, Bozeman said it is critical to look for small victories in the course of the game, develop a winning mentality and get the players to buy into his philosophies. When that happens at Morgan State, Bozeman doesn?t expect his team to have games like Monday?s.
The Bears pushed the tempo in the first half and jumped out to a 33-24 lead with 4:05 left before halftime. But in the second half, they allowed UMBC to shoot 53.3 percent while missing 17 of 29 shots themselves.
“We?ve taken steps as a program, but we have to learn how to play when we are ahead,” Bozeman said. “We?re still building for the future, and we have to find ways to reduce our mental lapses.”
Part of Bozeman?s rebuilding process comes with overhauling the roster of a team that went 4-26 last season. He did that by bringing three freshmen, including guard Reggie Holmes (St. Francis), and transfers like center Boubacar Coly, who previously played at Xavier.
Holmes entered the week averaging 13.3 points and 2.3 rebounds a game, while Colywas averaging 11 points and seven rebounds. Senior returnees Ronald Timus (16 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and Joseph McLean (7.3 ppg, 3.0 apg) are also making solid contributions.
“Ronald Timus? energy has been tremendous, and his toughness has helped us out a lot,” Bozeman said. “Joe McLean has been playing with more life and passion, and he is the closest thing we have to a vocal leader at this point in the season.”
BEAR BITES
» Joseph McLean scored a team-high 14 points to go along with his three rebounds and two assists in Monday?s loss to UMBC. Ronald Timus finished the same game with 13 points and five rebounds, while Jamar Smith pitched in with 13 points and seven rebounds.
» Morgan State returns to the court Saturday at Penn State. The Bears return home to face in-town rival Coppin State in its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener Wednesday.
