By Paul Gotham
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Bobby Hurley is relying on unpredictability.
The second-year coach of the UB Bulls has not lost his way, but opponents might want to take note.
Those scouting reports from the last four years? Find the nearest recycling bin. Drag them to the upper left corner of the screen. They are of no use going forward.
Hurley and his Bulls have taken a damp cloth to the dry erase board.
“We’re not going to be like we were last year,” Hurley said during this week’s Big 4 media day at the First Niagara Center. “Our style is going to be different. I’m excited because we have some talented young players who we can build a program around.”
Defending the Bulls in Hurley’s first season at the helm focused on taking away the inside presence of the program’s all-time leading scorer, Javon McCrea.
This season, opponents will need to turn their attention to the outside as Shannon Evans, Will Regan, Jarryn Skeete and freshman Lamonte Bearden dictate UB’s offense.
“We’re going to be more of a slashing team to get to the rim and score in the paint,” Hurley continued. “It’s not going to be as much throw it inside and let Javon overpower his defender. He was terrific at that especially late in games closing teams out. We’re going to have to play a little differently. That doesn’t mean that it can’t be as effective.”
Evans brought defensive energy off the bench during his freshman season. Hurley expects the 6-1 sophomore to add to his role.
“He plays with great passion,” Hurley said of Evans. “He’s a playmaker. He can score. He also makes his teammates look better. He does a little bit of both. He’s an exciting to guy to have to coach for a couple of years.”
Bearden, a 6-3 guard out of Milwaukee, will join Evans in the backcourt to form a tandem of multiple threats on the offensive end.
“He’s a really talented kid,” Hurley noted. “He has unbelievable basketball instincts, a mind for the game to go along with physical tools that he has. I’m excited about where he is going to go with us.”
Add Skeete to the mix, and Hurley knows he has a solid team on the perimeter.
“We’re less predictable on offense. We have guys who can create their own shot and create a shot for someone else. Those guys do that very well. They’re going to be a big part of what we do on offense.”
Hurley points to Regan as one player whose offensive numbers will increase.
“He’s going to benefit from Shannon Evans and Lamonte Bearden being able to break the defense down. The defense is going to have make a decision with Will. Whether they help or they stay home.”
The senior forward earned pre-season honors with an All-MAC East selection. The Buffalo native netted 10.6 points a game while grabbing nearly six rebounds a year ago.
“He’s just a great leader in practice with his work ethic and his communication,” Hurley stated. “How he goes about his business is a great example for our young players.”
Though the Bulls will need to replace McCrea along with Jarod Oldham and Josh Freelove, Hurley likes his team’s depth.
“I could have more confidence in having options,” said of this year’s team. “I got to a certain number last year, and I really couldn’t go beyond that, or I didn’t feel great about going beyond it. This year’s team is going to give me some more flexibility to play different combinations and to play differently… We could spread the ball around, and we’re a little more balanced than we were last year.”
To just discuss the offensive end of the floor more than misses the mark with a Hurley coached team.
“In high school guys could get away with just having superior talent. We’re trying to convince our players, like most programs are, the importance of rotating, blocking out, [getting] loose balls, [taking] charges all the things that guys don’t think that much about in the off-season.”
UB opens the season on November 14th when they host South Dakota State for a 7 p.m. tip off.
The Bulls were picked to finish fourth in the MAC East.
“I was a little surprised at being picked to finish fourth,” Hurley commented. “We have a good core of returning players. Our talent level we brought in is really good. We’re going to surprise some people.”
Nice article Paul… I too was surprised that they were picked 4th in the East… They almost have a team with a style suited best for the MAAC. Very athletic and fast, something MAC teams are not used to seeing. it will cause some problems for opposing defense.
Maybe I’m simplifying too much, but Hurley coaching a guard-oriented team. Sounds like success to me.