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Courtney excited about young team
Coach hopes Wilson has what TSU needs to win
By MEGAN MANFULL
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
Justin Wilson stood in the back of the room as all of his teammates stared. TSU coach Ronnie Courtney wanted to make it clear this was no ordinary freshman. The 5-8 newcomer from Dickinson was the new face of the TSU program.
"Everybody turn around and look at that little fella right there," Courtney told his players. "If you can't play with that little fella there, you can't play here at all."
Today, Wilson will go through his second introduction when he takes the court in the Tigers' home opener against Chicago State at 3 p.m. He will lead a young Tigers team, which returns only two starters, Mike Sneed and Sean Walker.
The youth hardly concerns Courtney. For the first time, the entire squad is filled with players he recruited. And with Wilson at the point, they will play the up-tempo style Courtney always has wanted.
The players have welcomed Wilson and adjusted their games to accommodate his, including Walker, who is moving from point guard to shooting guard for the first time.
"It's going to help the team a lot," Sneed said. "I think the move is better for his game because he is an all-around player. I don't think it's a big adjustment, but I think it will help us in the long run."
Courtney understands he will need more than just Wilson, Sneed and Walker if the team is going to reach its goal of winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference and going to the NCAA Tournament. With the up-tempo style, Courtney plans to use a 10- or 12-man rotation to keep everyone fresh.
But he anticipates Wilson will play almost all 40 minutes. Courtney wants the ball in Wilson's hands as much as possible, especially considering how much Wilson reminds him of his former Willowridge star T.J. Ford.
During his senior year of high school, Wilson averaged 26 points and eight assists per game. He turned down a number of other scholarship offers to remain close to his family. In his first game at TSU, he had 14 points and six rebounds in 38 minutes.
Wilson is determined to adjust and succeed at TSU. He wants to prove Courtney was right in entrusting him with so much responsibility. He wants to make his family proud every time they see him play.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2916810
Coach hopes Wilson has what TSU needs to win
By MEGAN MANFULL
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
Justin Wilson stood in the back of the room as all of his teammates stared. TSU coach Ronnie Courtney wanted to make it clear this was no ordinary freshman. The 5-8 newcomer from Dickinson was the new face of the TSU program.
"Everybody turn around and look at that little fella right there," Courtney told his players. "If you can't play with that little fella there, you can't play here at all."
Today, Wilson will go through his second introduction when he takes the court in the Tigers' home opener against Chicago State at 3 p.m. He will lead a young Tigers team, which returns only two starters, Mike Sneed and Sean Walker.
The youth hardly concerns Courtney. For the first time, the entire squad is filled with players he recruited. And with Wilson at the point, they will play the up-tempo style Courtney always has wanted.
The players have welcomed Wilson and adjusted their games to accommodate his, including Walker, who is moving from point guard to shooting guard for the first time.
"It's going to help the team a lot," Sneed said. "I think the move is better for his game because he is an all-around player. I don't think it's a big adjustment, but I think it will help us in the long run."
Courtney understands he will need more than just Wilson, Sneed and Walker if the team is going to reach its goal of winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference and going to the NCAA Tournament. With the up-tempo style, Courtney plans to use a 10- or 12-man rotation to keep everyone fresh.
But he anticipates Wilson will play almost all 40 minutes. Courtney wants the ball in Wilson's hands as much as possible, especially considering how much Wilson reminds him of his former Willowridge star T.J. Ford.
During his senior year of high school, Wilson averaged 26 points and eight assists per game. He turned down a number of other scholarship offers to remain close to his family. In his first game at TSU, he had 14 points and six rebounds in 38 minutes.
Wilson is determined to adjust and succeed at TSU. He wants to prove Courtney was right in entrusting him with so much responsibility. He wants to make his family proud every time they see him play.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2916810
