Three returning players look to lead a large group of incoming freshman for the Marshalltown Community College men's basketball team for the 2014-15 season. The Tigers open up the year Friday night as part of the Emerson JUCO Classic against Quakerdale Prep Academy at 7:00 PM in the Student Activity Center.
"We've got three quality returners," head coach Brynjar Brynjarsson state, "but we'll also be relying heavily on our newcomers to fill the voids of the guys that left from last year's team."
The Tigers return three sophomores from a squad that went 17-14 in 2013-14, reaching the Region XI Tournament semi-final round. Mike Rodriguez (Boston, MA/Redemption Christian Academy), Merdic Green (Levittown, PA/Harry S. Truman), and Guilherme Verardo (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Esporte Clube Pinheiros) combined to average 23 minutes per contest during their rookie years. Rodriguez made 16 starts as a point guard while Green started all but one game as a freshman. Verardo appeared in all 31 contests off the bench.
"All three of those guys have great experience. They logged plenty of minutes in a lot of games for us as freshmen. They'll provide valuable leadership for this year's team," Brynjarsson added. "We're hoping that experience prepares us overall for our tough schedule."
One void the Tigers will look to fill is in the post after two-time All-Region XI selection Troidell Carter exhausted his playing days at MCC. "Troidell was always an option for us down low over the past two seasons, without him, we're going to need guys to step up right away."
The 2014-15 regular season schedule will test the Tigers from the opening tip-off in game one right down to the final whistle in game number 30. MCC will host Quakerdale on the opening night of the Emerson JUCO Classic, and will face perennial contender Highland Community College on Saturday. Along with this weekend's tournament, MCC will travel to Indian Hills Community College for two separate events. The Tigers are paired with South Plains College, ranked No. 3 in the preseason NJCAA Division I Poll, on Nov. 14 in Ottumwa, IA.
The Tigers will take on a series of NJCAA Division II programs in the first half of the season, including Des Moines Area Community College, John Wood Community College, and Iowa Lakes Community College, all ranked in the Division II top-20.
The Region XI slate will open up for the Tigers on Jan. 14 at home against Indian Hills Community College and Jan. 17 against Iowa Western Community College. Indian Hills entered the preseason polls at No. 6 while the Reviers received votes.
"We'll be challenged early on." said Brynjarsson. "That'll prepare us for the always-tough conference schedule. Those early matchups will allow us to see where we're at come conference time."
"If we compete every play, good things will come from that."
