AFA basketball: Signs of a good, bad season
THREE SIGNS OF A GOOD SEASON
1. Evan Washington makes ‘the leap’
After a breakout freshman season, Washington wasn’t as consistent as a sophomore, struggling with his shooting and losing his spot in the starting lineup. But he’s bigger and stronger and, according to coach Jeff Reynolds, “shooting the ball with more confidence.” Washington will take over primary ball-handling responsibilities from graduated Anwar Johnson and will need to emerge as a scorer.
2. Freshmen contribute
Five of the players on Air Force’s 15-man roster for tonight’s game are freshmen, and several already are in the rotation. Two or more need to grow up fast and make an even bigger impact than last year’s freshmen made.
3. Practice sharpshooting translates to games
Air Force coaches have been happy with the shooting in practice. But they were happy with their players’ preseason shooting last season, and the Falcons did not shoot as well in games.
THREE SIGNS OF A BAD SEASON
1. The Falcons lose four or more in nonconference play
Air Force’s nonconference schedule is filled with “directional” schools (Charleston Southern, North Carolina Central, Western State) and — save for a Dec. 12 game against Washington State — devoid of big-name teams. Air Force lost four games against a weak conference slate last season, and that was a harbinger for a disastrous MWC run.
2. No scorers emerge
Three players scored in double figures for the Falcons last season, and all three graduated (Andrew Henke, Johnson and Matt Holland). So who will score? “That’s a big question,” Reynolds said. “And that’s our staff’s question. … Where are we going to get our points from?”
3. Defense struggles
Lock-down defense was the hallmark of Air Force’s best teams, but last season the Falcons allowed 62.5 points per game — more than five more than in 2008-09. Good defense would take some pressure off the offense.
THREE GAMES TO WATCH
Dec. 12 vs. Washington State in Spokane
Air Force’s only game against a team from a high-powered conference should give the Falcons a good feel for how they’ll do in MWC play.
Dec. 28 vs. Niagara at Sun Bowl Invitational
A good test against a team that was picked second in the 2009-10 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference coaches poll.
Jan. 8 at Colorado State
After opening MWC play at TCU, Air Force travels to Fort Collins to face the team it beat in the league tournament last season. A victory over the Rams would be big, especially because BYU, New Mexico, Utah and UNLV immediately follow.
