Bucknell Team Report

GETTING INSIDE

Dave Paulsen’s debut season with the Bison was a nightmare, a 7-23 wreck punctuated by four overtime losses and slumps on both sides of the floor. It was the fewest wins for a Bucknell team since 1982.

Nagging injuries to expected starters G.W. Boon and Darryl Shazier, and the preseason loss of 2008 Patriot League Defensive Player of the year Stephen Tyree, put the Bison behind the eight ball right from the start.

Heading into the 2009-10 season, however, there is room for optimism.

“We have made significant progress in really trying to re-create that basketball culture where we are positioned for success in terms of work ethic, attention to detail, unselfishness and leadership. You have to have those things before you can win games, and you have to have them for sure before you can win close games.” Paulsen told BucknellBison.com.

On the offensive end, Paulsen is hoping to continue last season’s hot shooting from beyond the arc. Boon (53), Bryan Cohen (51) and Darryl Shazier (37) all ranked among the league leaders in 3-pointers. Senior Patrick Behan, a second-team All-Patriot League selection in 2008-09, led the team in scoring (13.8) and rebounding (6.8).

On defense, the Bison struggled defending the lane, allowing strong low-post players to have big games.

Injuries and inconsistency were a thorn in Paulsen’s side last season. With a healthy squad and a full season of experience as the head coach, Paulsen could be able to turn last season’s disaster into nothing more than a bad memory.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Junior PG Darryl Shazier averaged a career-high 7.8 points per game and also became the first Bucknell player to lead the Patriot League in assists (4.6 per game) last season.

• Sophomore G Bryan Cohen is coming off a breakout freshman year in which he averaged 11.8 points and 4.1 boards per game

• Last year’s Bison led the league and ranked 31st nationally in 3-point percentage defense, allowing just a 31.2 percent success rate from beyond the arc.

Last Year:   7-23 overall, 4-10 in the Patriot League, tied for seventh.

Head Coach:   Dave Paulsen (career 269-143); second year at Bucknell (7-23)

Quote To Note:   “This freshman class is going to be exciting to watch grow up in Bucknell uniforms over the next four years. It’s not a matter of ‘if’ they are going to be good players, but just a matter of ‘when.’ Collectively, they have to embrace the process of trying to get a little bit better every day. Some days are going to be better than others. There are going to be ups and downs. That’s what it means to be a freshman in college.”—Coach Dave Paulsen, on his freshman recruiting class.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Scouting The Newcomers:   Canadian star Bryson Johnson has been tabbed as Darryl Shazier’s backup at the point. Mike Muscala, a 6-10 Minnesotan should provide some size up front. New Jersey shore region star Joe Willman and Colin Klebon of Pennsylvania’s Southern Columbia High School will be frontcourt depth. Guard D.J. Rowe was recruited as a walk-on from Cedar Cliff High School and is supposed to be a sniper from the 3-point line.

Key Early Season Games:   The Bison will play three games in a 45-hour span to open the season. They open the season Nov. 13 at the World Vision Basketball Invitational in Providence, R.I., against Mercer. On Nov. 15, they face tournament-host Providence, followed by a matchup with Bryant on Nov. 16. Other non-conference home opponents include Cornell (Dec. 2), Loyola, Md. (Dec. 28), Marist (Dec. 30) and Richmond (Jan. 2).

Program Direction:   Despite losing guard Justin Castleberry and his 11.5 points per game, the Bison could be a league contender with an experienced rotation. Inserting a healthy Stephen Tyree into the lineup is a plus on both ends of the floor, and if G.W. Boon is fully recovered from the nagging shoulder injury that plagued him last season, he could be a conference player of the year candidate.

Probable Starting Lineup:   G Darryl Shazier, G Bryan Cohen, G Patrick Behan, G/F Stephen Tyree, PF G.W. Boon

Roster Report:  

• G/F Stephen Tyree, the 2008 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, continues to rehab the knee he blew out in the 2008 preseason. As a sophomore, he shot a league-best 67.8 percent from the field in conference games. Tyree, 6-foot-3, also led Bucknell in rebounding and assists. He is expected to be ready for opening night.

• Dave Paulsen will have to keep an eye on freshman F Joe Willman, who broke both of his wrists on Jan. 22. Up to that point, he averaged 20.2 points and led the Shore Conference with 12.5 rebounds per game.

• Senior F Zach Evans played a major role off the bench last season, appearing in a career-high 28 games and averaged more than 12 minutes per outing.