By Dawson Goodrum & Julia Johns
The Men's Club Basketball team has overcome a roster issue which plagued them last year, and they are ready to compete. Club President Aaron Keehnast shed some light on how the team is benefiting from this resolution.
Keehnast explained the team's biggest problem last season was the lack of players. He said, "We had some definite talent to work with, but playing three games back to back to back with a very small roster can get hard." Also, the team did not lose any key players as their everyday starting five are back.
With the returning veterans and new blood their weakness has become their greatest strength. Keehnast said, "...we have two solid players at every position. Our lineup is practically interchangeable, and with the talent we have I really think we can surprise some of our opponents."
With a thin roster a worry of the past, the team is able to completely focus on their game play. As Keehnast explained, they have a defense which sometimes lulls and allows the other team scoring opportunities; however, it is not due to lack of their ability. He believes it is simply a lack of true competition to energize the team and is confident that once those games occur the issue will resolve itself.
Regarding the team's overall style of play, Keehnast had a lot to say. "I think we will give the teams we go against a little bit of everything. We have the personnel to run and gun, but we also are really good at slowing down the pace and really moving the ball around the court until we have an open look. I think our game plan will really just be to figure out what our opponents are going to have a harder time stopping." If the team takes the time to size up their competition, they should have no problem exploiting their weaknesses and emerging victorious.
Maryville competes in the National Club Basketball Association (NCBBA) in the Mid-America - West Conference.
If you have any questions regarding Men's Club Basketball contact Aaron Keehnast at akeehnast1@live.maryville.edu. Also, follow the team on Twitter @MUCluBBall.
