2008-09 Vandals - University of Idaho Athletics
2008-09 Vandals - University of Idaho Athletics
2008-09 Vandals - University of Idaho Athletics
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>2008</strong>-<strong>09</strong> season outlook<br />
The <strong>2008</strong>-<strong>09</strong> season is one <strong>of</strong> change and new beginnings for the <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Idaho</strong> basketball program as Don Verlin, a long-time assistant at Utah State,<br />
has joined the <strong>Idaho</strong> family as head coach <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Vandals</strong>.<br />
“I’m extremely honored to be chosen the head basketball coach at the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Idaho</strong>,” Verlin said at his introductory news conference in March.<br />
“I am tremendously excited and am looking forward to building a winning<br />
basketball program here.”<br />
Verlin looks to bring a new philosophy to <strong>Idaho</strong> basketball, one which he<br />
hopes will show not only in the players on the court, but also in the fans in<br />
the stands.<br />
“I have asked the team to enjoy the season, embrace being a Vandal, and<br />
forget about the recent past,” Verlin said. “College basketball should be fun<br />
and we are asking our team to enjoy the season. We hope our passion and<br />
determination on the court will help the fans follow our lead and really stand<br />
behind us as we build <strong>Idaho</strong> into a winning program.”<br />
Although the results may not come right away, Verlin is building a foundation<br />
from which to take <strong>Idaho</strong> to the next level.<br />
“I have asked our players to play hard, be disciplined and be competitive.<br />
Those are three areas we will really focus on during this first season. Our<br />
philosophy for this season is to win our next game. We want to be a little better<br />
every day and go out on game night with the intention <strong>of</strong> winning our next<br />
game,” Verlin said.<br />
Verlin was known for his <strong>of</strong>fensive expertise while at Utah State but has<br />
worked hard to instill strong defensive fundamentals in his new roster.<br />
“I want our team to play a hard and physical style <strong>of</strong> man-to-man defense.<br />
We spent a lot <strong>of</strong> time in the preseason on our defense schemes. On <strong>of</strong>fense<br />
we will play a pro-style set <strong>of</strong>fense that is based on execution. We are hoping<br />
our defense will ignite our <strong>of</strong>fense and we will be able to get up and down the<br />
floor,” Verlin said.<br />
Aside from the change at the top, the <strong>Idaho</strong> roster also will welcome 11 new<br />
players alongside the five who return from last season. Verlin and his staff will<br />
work continually to develop their system around the players as they learn more<br />
about each other as the season progresses.<br />
“I have always felt a key to being a good coach is not having something<br />
set in stone every year,” Verlin said. “You have to fit what you do around the<br />
personnel you have and I look forward to figuring out as much as I can about<br />
these players individually, as well as the team as a whole. So far we have seen<br />
players who are a more athletic than I am used to, which lends itself to putting<br />
more pressure on defensively and speeding up the game. “<br />
GUARDs<br />
01 Mac Hopson 6-2 195 Jr. RS<br />
03 Terrence Simmons 6-3 170 Sr. 1L<br />
15 Trevor Morris 6-4 182 Sr. 2L<br />
21 Drew Eisinger 6-3 165 So. JC<br />
Redshirts<br />
05 Steffan Johnson 6-1 172 Sr. TR<br />
20 Marcus Lawrence 5-10 180 Jr. TR<br />
The guard positions are where Verlin feels the team is strongest as the<br />
season begins.<br />
“Right now I would say our perimeter guys are stronger and will lead us in<br />
our defensive intensity and in our <strong>of</strong>fensive production,” Verlin said.<br />
Although the team is without a returning starter at guard, the position does<br />
boast experience in veterans Trevor Morris and Terrence Simmons. Also joining<br />
the position is Washington State transfer Mac Hopson, who Verlin believes will<br />
take over the point guard duties. Morris, Simmons, and junior college transfer<br />
Kashif Watson are all combo guards who should see time at both spots. Walkon<br />
Drew Eisinger rounds out the position.<br />
forwards<br />
11 Brandon Wiley 6-6 225 Jr. JC<br />
13 Luciano de Souza 6-7 205 Jr. JC<br />
22 Brandon Brown 6-1 205 Sr. 1L<br />
32 Kashif Watson 6-4 190 Jr. JC<br />
34 Travis Blackstock 6-5 Jr. HS<br />
42 Ryan Votaw 6-1 190 So. JC<br />
Redshirts<br />
23 Mark Mahaffy 6-6 189 So. TR<br />
54 Luiz Toledo 6-7 220 So. TR<br />
The small forward position returns Brandon Brown, who Verlin feels is a very<br />
good athlete who can be an important lock-down defender on the perimeter.<br />
Watson will see time at small forward as his primary position and walk-ons<br />
Ryan Votaw and Travis Blackstock also are available.<br />
centers<br />
44 Luis Augusto 6-8 245 Sr. 1L<br />
53 Marvin Jefferson 6-10 235 Jr. JC<br />
Redshirts<br />
25 Kyle Barone 6-10 215 Fr. HS<br />
30<br />
<strong>2008</strong>-<strong>09</strong> <strong>Idaho</strong> Vandal Basketball