Men’s basketball program debuts new team at Black and Gold scrimmage

getting up shots before the scrimmage, and is scheduled to be back in action in early January, according to Rhoades.

“He’s done a good job of following the plan. He’s been working really hard and I’m very proud of him,” Rhoades said of Baldwin’s progress with his injury.

Win the [A-10] league, man. How about that? You know, let’s go win the league.”

Mike Rhoades, head coach

The Rams also lost key contributors sophomore forward Jamir Watkins and redshirt-sophomore guard Jarren McAllister, on account of ACL injuries. Rhoades explained how the freshmen are getting used to the “next man up” mentality with the three players out.

Rhoades said he believes that his younger freshmen players have realized that they have to step up and play in response to the injuries.

“Those guys have done a good job of finding where they fit in and how they can help impact winning and help the team,” Rhoades said.

Another key newcomer is transfer and junior guard Marcus Tsohonis, who had five points in the scrimmage. Tsohonis transferred from the University of Washington, where he averaged 9.2 points in his first two seasons. Tsohonis played both the point and shooting guard positions during the scrimmage, running the offense with Nunn.

A returning key player observed during the scrimmage was junior forward Hason Ward, who had 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Last season, Ward was named to the Atlantic 10 Conference AllDefensive Team.

Senior forward Vince Williams Jr. had 15 points, four assists, three rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Williams was the sec ond-leading scorer for the Rams last year and was named to the A-10 All-Conference Third Team.

Senior guard KeShawn Curry also had an energetic 16 points and five rebounds. Curry played aggressively at the rim, throwing down two massive dunks for the Rams. On many occasions, Curry scored off-the-dribble and finished with ease in the paint.

Along with the scrimmage game, there was a 3-point contest between the men’s and women’s basketball teams. The winner of this contest was junior guard Arnold Henderson VI of the men’s program, who outscored everyone else from downtown for the win.

The Rams will try to bring their 10th all-time conference tournament cham pionship win, as well as their second A-10 championship win since their first in 2015.

Rhoades wants the most out of this upcoming season with respect to confer ence play goals.

“Win the [A-10] league, man. How about that? You know, let’s go win the league,” said Rhoades.

The Rams will have a chance this season to showcase their work from the offseason, playing some of the top teams in the A-10 lineup, such as reigning conference champions St. Bonaventure, who defeated the Rams in the A-10 tournament final last season.