About halfway through the first half of the Towson men?s basketball home opener Monday night, Winstonn Tubbs brought the crowd to its feet.
As a teammate?s baseline jumper rimmed out, Tubbs raced towards the basket, leaped high above his opponent and threw the ball down with authority.The crowd went nuts, and Tubbs had made an early declaration that he was up for the challenge ? that of replacing Lawrence Hamm, the Tigers? leading rebounder and second-leading scorer from a year ago.
“I just try to take it one game at a time,” Tubbs said after Towson?s 78-64 win over Hartford. “I know my role ? to be a rebounder and a good role player and capitalize on the opportunity when it comes.”
The laid-back, 6-foot-6 forward averaged 4.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game last season. On Monday, he matched a career high with 15 points and set a new career best with 13 rebounds for his first collegiate double-double against a pesky Hartford team.
“Just try to stay physical and active,” Tubbs said about his mentality Monday. “They were physical and when a rebound went up, they made contact.”
Towson?s coaching staff is looking for Tubbs to have a breakout season his senior year. And so far, including preseason play, all signs are pointing towards that direction.
“I just thought he did a great job in the preseason,” Towson coach Pat Kennedy said. “And his first career double-double ? he just did a great job.”
Towson out-rebounded Hartford, 43-32. Tubbs led the way, while senior Dennard Abraham and junior Tommy Breaux each collected six rebounds.
Abraham left the game with a pulled quadriceps muscle. He lined up with Tubbs as the forwards in a three-guard starting lineup.
In the second half, Breaux, an athletic, 6-foot-9 transfer, stole the ball at mid-court and left the crowd to anticipate what type of finish he would attempt on a breakaway jam. Tubbs, meanwhile, threw down his dunk before fans could completely gather their thoughts.
