Reggie Holmes? rationale for choosing to play for Morgan State was simple.
“We?re trying to build something special here,” Holmes, a 6-foot-4 sophomore guard, said. “When that happens, it?s going to mean even more to me because it will be in my hometown.”
How long it takes to transform a team that hasn?t had a winning season since 1989 into one of the best in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference will hinge on how much work the 6-foot-4, 180-pound sophomore guard can get done on the court this season.
He decided to play for Morgan State after a stellar career at St. Frances so his family and friends could follow his career. And he?s not alone.
He is one of eight Maryland players on the Bears? 15-man roster who believe Morgan State is destined for greatness under second-year coach Todd Bozeman. Bozeman guided California to tremendous success in the early 1990s, including when he guided the Golden Bears to an upset of defending national champion Duke in the second round of the NCAA Tournament before he was banned from coaching by the NCAA after he paid a recruit?s family $30,000.
But all that concerns Bozeman and Morgan State is the future, which appears bright. Holmes is one of four returning starters for the Bears, who went 12-17 overall, but 10-8 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference last season.
Holmes averaged 9 points, led the Bears in steals (33) and made 45 three-point baskets as a freshman, and will be counted on to score even more this season along with Jamar Smith and California transfer forward Marquise Kately.
“It took us a while to gel as a team because we were all trying to figure each other out,” Holmes said. “We?ve got a good mix now and the guys coming in from other schools are fitting in fine.”
Holmes said he expects Morgan State to get off to a smoother start this season after spending much of last year adjusting to a roster filled with new players. Morgan State will see how good it is right away, when it opens the season tonight at 7 at Big East power Connecticut in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. The Bears open their conference schedule at rival Coppin State on Dec. 1.
“These guys understand my system and are starting to buy into what we?re teaching,” Bozeman said. “We still trying to change the overall culture of the program and get the guys to believe that they can be winners.”
Bears at a glance
» Coach: Todd Bozeman (Second Season 12-17, 73-71 overall)
» Last Year: 12-17 overall, 10-8 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Lost to Delaware State, 56-53, in overtime inthe semifinals of the MEAC Tournament.
» Returning players: G Jerrel Green, 5-10, 3.6 ppg, 4.8 apg; F Boubacar Coly, 6-9, 7.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1 bpg; G Reggie Holmes, 6-4, 9 ppg, 1 spg, 72.9 FT%; G Jamar Smith, 6-3, 12.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 35.7 3FG%; G Rogers Barnes, 6-2, 2.9 ppg, .351 3FG%.
» Top Newcomer: F Marquise Kately. The 6-foot-5 junior transfer from California averaged nearly 10 points in two seasons with the Golden Bears, and was chosen to the Pac-10 All-Freshman squad after ranking ninth in field goal percentage (.535).
» Big Game: Dec. 6 at Maryland. On Dec. 12, 1989, Coppin State came into Cole Field House and handed Maryland one of the biggest upset losses in school history. Nearly 18 years later Morgan State hopes to pull of a feat similar to its MEAC counterpart.
» Key to the Season: Continunity. Morgan needs to build upon the momentum it established late last season and continue to build “a culture of success” that Bozeman has stressed. With four starters returning from last year?s squad, the Bears know what to expect from Bozeman has he enters his second season.
» Tickets: $10. For information, call 443-885-4018
» Key number: 10. Games Morgan State got outrebounded last season, going 1-9.
? Ron Snyder
