2011 La Salle Basketball Preview

2010-11 Results:

Overall: 15-18
Atlantic 10: 6-10
Conference Tournament: Lost in quarterfinals
Postseason: None

John Giannini guided La Salle to a 15-18 overall record and 6-10 in the Atlantic 10. They upset St. Bonaventure in the first round of the conference tournament before bowing out against Temple.

The Explorers got off to a 7-7 start but struggled once conference play began. Early victories over Providence and Boston University as well as a three point loss to Villanova gave false early season hope. The team’s main flaw is their defense that allowed 79 points per game which was last in the Atlantic 10. On the other hand the team had an excellent offense averaging 76.8 points per game which was second in the conference.

Roster

Returning Starters
Earl Pettis

Other Returning Players
Tyreek Duren
Devon White

Newcomers
Ramon Galloway
Matt Lopez
Steve Zack
Jerrell Wright
Rohan Brown
D.J. Peterson

Head Coach
John Giannini

Key Losses

La Salle losses it top three scorers from last year. Jerrell Williams (13.8) and guard Ruben Guillandeaux (12.6) have used up their eligibility. Leading scorer Aaric Murray couldn’t see eye to eye with coach Giannini and has decided to transfer. The Explorers will miss his scoring (15.2) but a new start may just be what the teams needs after under achieving last season.

2011-12 Preview

LaSalle will look to get better with only one returning starter from last season’s 15-18 team. Considering how bad the team’s defense was last year, starting from scratch with six newcomers may be the perfect solution. John Giannini will try to build success with top recruits Jerrell Wright and Steve Zack as well as transfers Taylor Dunn and Ramon Galloway. The Explorers have the potential to build a team that can compete in the Atlantic 10 this year.

Schedule

Date	Opponent
11/4/2011	Carleton University (Ex.)
11/11/2011	Lafayette
11/15/2011	@ Villanova
11/19/2011	James Madison (Homecoming)
11/22/2011	@ Pittsburgh
11/25/2011	vs Robert Morris
11/26/2011	vs Rider
11/30/2011	Northeastern
12/3/2011	Bucknell
12/7/2011	@ Towson
12/10/2011	Army
12/19/2011	@ Delaware
12/22/2011	@ Central Connecticut State
12/29/2011	Boston University
12/31/2011	Hartford
1/4/2012	Xavier
1/8/2012	Massachusetts
1/10/2012	@ Penn
1/14/2012	@ Dayton
1/18/2012	@ Temple
1/21/2012	Rhode Island
1/25/2012	George Washington
1/28/2012	@ Duquesne
2/1/2012	Charlotte
2/4/2012	@ Saint Joseph’s
2/8/2012	@ Richmond
2/11/2012	Saint Louis
2/18/2012	@ Massachusetts
2/22/2012	Temple
2/25/2012	@ Fordham
2/29/2012	@ George Washington
3/3/2012	St. Bonaventure
Atlantic-10 Tournament
3/6/2012	vs Atlantic 10 First Round
3/9/2012	vs Atlantic 10 Quarterfinals
3/10/2012	vs Atlantic 10 Semifinals
3/11/2012	vs Atlantic 10 Championship

Backcourt

The Explorers have four guards who should contribute this year and once again make La Salle one of the top offensive threats in the conference. The question is whether they can improve their defense. Tyreek Duren and Earl Pettis will start along with Taylor Dunn.

Duren will lead La Salle’s offense after being named to the A-10 All-Rookie Team a season ago. Last year he averaged over 10 points a game and four assist. He also set a freshman record for most steals at La Salle. Despite the many things that Duren does well turnovers plagued him during his freshman campaign. He needs to do a better job of protecting the ball in transition. His strength is attacking the basket and saw success when doing so last season.

Pettis also returns who is in his second season at La Salle. He averaged 9.1 points per game and 4.1 rebounds a year ago. He has an above average jumper and can hurt teams when he gets the ball in his hands. With over four rebounds per game he is an outstanding rebounder for a guard.

Taylor Dunn will also start in a third guard backcourt for the Explorers. Dunn transferred from Winthrop and will join the team after sitting out last year due to transfer rules. He is capable of knocking down the three and becoming the team’s second or third leading scorer.

Galloway transferred from South Carolina and is immediately available after having averaged 10.7 points last year in 30 games. No matter whether he starts or not he will see extended playing time.

Frontcourt

Freshman Jerrell Wright and Steve Zack will start in the frontcourt. Wright was named to the preseason all rookie team. These two players should prove to be an excellent coup by Giannini and propel La Salle to better things in the next four years. However for this year the Explorers frontcourt will see growing pains as the two adjust to college ball.
Wright was in the top 100 players at his position and brings excellent athleticism to the team. He was dynamic at Philadelphia’s Dobbins Tech averaging 19.9 points per game along with 14 boards.

Zack is another player who is both part of the present and future of the Explorers. He is another top 100 recruit by Giannini. Not only does he move well, he is an excellent defender who needs to improve his offensive game.

Devon White who averaged 4.2 points per game and 3.2 rebound per game returns as a junior to provide veteran leadership behind the two outstanding freshman recruits. He is an excellent defensive player who can score around the rim.

More Atlantic 10 Basketball Predictions

Temple Owls	Saint Louis Billikens	Xavier Musketeers	St. Bonaventure Bonnies
UMass Minutemen	La Salle Explorers	Dayton Flyers	St. Josephs Hawks
Duquesne Dukes	Richmond Spiders	Charlotte 49ers	George Washington Colonials
Rhode Island Rams	Fordham Rams

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