In each of the past three seasons under head coach Kevin Baggett, his Rider Broncs have played an up-and-down style.
In his first season they were an elite defensive team that struggled to score. In year two they were more guard-oriented, a better scoring team that just couldn’t stop teams defensively. However in year three, while Baggett is still adjusting and tweaking parts of his program, his team has become one of the best interior teams in the league.
The Broncs have transitioned from a team that thrived on the outside last season, ranking ninth in the country in three-point field goal percentage (37.9%), to a team that dictates the game from the inside. This season the Broncs have made just 30.2% of their three-pointers and made 50.2% of their two-pointers, the latter statistic good enough to place them in top 100 of the country.
Baggett has said he has changed his team’s style to more of a three out, two in approach after they were a team that typically played four out one in last season and tended to drive and kick. The addition of 7’0″ senior Matt Lopez as well as the development of sophomore Khalil Thomas and senior Junior Fortunat have shown why the front court has been better than the back court so far.
“We’ve been a better post offensive team than we are perimeter and last year we were more perimeter oriented,” Baggett said. “It’s getting the guards around the perimeter to get a better feel in this offense.”
Last season Jimmie Taylor was used to having the ball in his hands, but in this new system he cedes the point guard spot to VCU transfer Teddy Okereafor. After a season where he averaged 12.1 ppg and made the MAAC All-Rookie team, the 6’3″ sophomore has averaged 8.1 ppg and is still working to find his fit in the system.
“Jimmie’s having to learn to play off the ball, which is something new to him, even in high school he was a point so he played with the ball.”
Zedric Sadler has been effective and healthy coming off the bench, while Lehigh transfer Anthony D’Orazio has proven to be an impact starter. Baggett would like to see his team refine their press through this winter break between semesters, but he wants to make sure the guards understand their spacing in the offense.
“Most games we’re taking advantage of points in the paint against our opponents,” Baggett said. “That’s great, but now we have to get the guys on the perimeter, we have to get balance from both inside and out. That’s the biggest thing that I keep harping on our guys: more consistency, more balance.”
Ryan Restivo wrote the America East conference preview for the 2014-15 Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook. He covers the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, the America East conference and Hofstra for Big Apple Buckets. You can follow Ryan on Twitter @ryanarestivo or contact Ryan at rrestivo[at]nycbuckets.com.
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