Nov. 16, 2006

The 2006-07 season is one of high expectations for the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays. Returning for head coach Bill Nelson, entering his 21st season, are all three of the Blue Jays' 2006 All-Centennial selections - seniors Matt Griffin, Danny Nawrocki and T.J. Valerio. This trio, who were all selected as captains for this season, have combined for 2,342 points, and 1,097 rebounds in 144 starts.

According to Nelson, the keys to success this season are: unselfish offensive play, improved defense, cutting down on turnovers and omitting the "lazy attitude". The team lost two starters, leaders and captains from a year ago in Jeff Thompson and Bobby Sharafeddin. But an outstanding corps returns for Nelson led by Griffin, Nawrocki and Valerio.

POINT
Sophomore Scott Weisenfeld returns at the point after backing up Thompson and providing a big lift off the bench last season. He is the only returning player who had more assists than turnovers last season. A real coach on the floor, Weisenfeld knows the offense better than anyone. The only freshman to play in all 26 games last season, he averaged 1.3 rebounds and 3.0 points per game, while tallying 63 assists and 21 steals.

"He is excellent at taking the ball to the basket and making good decisions," said Nelson. "A solid on-ball defender, Weisenfeld is willing to take charges." He created a lot of deflections in his rookie season, finishing tied for second on the team with his 21 steals.

Sophomore Collin Kamm will push Weisenfeld at the point this season. He played in 10 games last season as a rookie and shot 55.6 percent from the floor.

"Kamm is an excellent off-the-ball defender with a good basketball I.Q.," Nelson commented. "A point guard with a coach's mentality, he is probably the best penetrator on the team."

Freshman Pat O'Connell, a first team all-conference selection at nearby Loyola Blakefield last season, will also compete for time at the point this season.

"Pat is strong with the ball," said Nelson. "He can play the point or the wing and he can become an outstanding player here at Hopkins."

WING
Valerio is the only returning starter on the wing for Nelson, having started all 26 games last season.

"T.J. has worked extremely hard," said Nelson. "He's spent a lot of time outside of practice working on his game." Valerio's hard work paid off last season as he finished third on the team in scoring and earned Second Team All-Centennial Conference honors. He scored in double figures in 17 of Hopkins' 26 games, including five 20-plus point games. Valerio shot 43.9 percent from behind the arc, connecting on 54-of-123 three-point shots. His 54 three-pointers ranked as the ninth most in Hopkins' single season history. In school history, Valerio ranks fifth in career three-point field goal percentage (.402), seventh in career three-point field goals made (105) and eighth in career three-point field goal attempts (261). If he picks up where he left off last season, he is on pace to finish in the top-four in Hopkins career history in three-point field goals made and attempts.

Junior Doug Polster, with his good range and quickness, could back-up Valerio on the wing. Polster showed tremendous improvement last season and has become an outstanding perimeter shooter. He shot 35.6 percent from three point range, converting 16-of-45 attempts.

"Doug led the team in hustle last season," Nelson said. "He's not afraid to dive on the floor and go after every loose ball."

With the graduation of Sharafeddin, Nelson has a starting role to fill on the wing. Junior Terence Coppola has played a lot over the last two seasons and should see significant time in 2006-07. He played in 25 games last season, averaging 3.2 points and 1.2 rebounds per game. He shot 39.1 percent from the floor, including 33.3 percent from behind the arc.

"Terence is maybe the most well-rounded player, skill-wise on the team," commented Nelson. "He has great leaping ability, good range and is a strong penetrator."

Junior Kevin Roach has also seen a lot of time in his career and at 6'5" gives great size on the wing. A utility player, who can play on the wing or in the post, Roach has the physical ability to play the outside and defend the wing. He played in 13 games in 2005-06 and averaged 2.0 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. Sophomores Phil Beggans and Ryan Purcell also provide good size on the wing and should see time off the bench. Purcell, at 6'4", has excellent range and when left alone, can drain the three.

POST
The post is the position with the most depth and experience for Nelson, with Griffin and Nawrocki headlining five senior post players. Griffin, a 2006 Street & Smith preseason All-American, had an outstanding junior campaign. He earned First Team All-Centennial honors after leading the team with 15.6 points per game. He averaged 5.3 rebounds per game and shot 61.8 percent from the floor. Griffin shot 77.1 percent from the free throw line, connecting on 111-of-144 attempts. His 111 free throws last season rank as the fifth most in school single season history. With 707 points in 78 career games, Griffin is on pace to become the 13th player in Hopkins' history to score 1,000 points.

"Matt is the hardest working player on the team," Nelson said. "He stays after practice every night to work on his post play. He can run the floor end to end and will be one of the best in the conference this season."

Nawrocki, a three-year starter, is just the 12th player in school history to eclipse the 1,000 point mark and he is one of only four players in school history with 600 career rebounds and 1,000-career points. Nawrocki is on pace to break the Hopkins' career records for free throws attempted, total rebounds and defensive rebounds. Last season, Nawrocki earned All-Centennial honors for the second time in his career after scoring double figures in 24 of 26 games.

Also seeing time at post will be seniors Zack Armen and Chris Morley. Morley earned the "Unsung Hero" team award after last season. He played in all 26 games, scoring 5.7 points shooting 58.3 percent from the floor. His 5.4 rebounds per game ranked second on the team behind Nawrocki's 8.7 per game. Armen has been a solid player off the bench in his three seasons, averaging 2.8 points and 1.6 rebounds per game.

Freshmen Adam Baumgartner and Andrew Farber-Miller will also see time off the bench this season.

"Adam really runs the floor well," said Nelson. "He has a lot of similarities to Chris (Morley). He can really take the ball to the basket."

"Andrew is big and strong inside with his back to the basket," Nelson commented. "He and Adam will complement each other very well."

SCHEDULE
In 2005-06 the Blue Jay Invitational was pushed back from its traditional season-opening slot to January to accommodate the Inaugural Pride of Maryland Tournament. This season, it's back as Hopkins' season opening tournament with Immaculata, Rowan and McMurry visiting Goldfarb Gym. The following week the Blue Jays will visit St. Mary's for the opening round of the second annual Provident Pride of Maryland Tournament. Goucher College will host the final rounds Thanksgiving Weekend. Hopkins will host the tournament in 2007. Their overtime loss to Villa Julie in last year's championship will serve as motivation for the Blue Jays in 2006.

Hopkins then jumps into its conference slate, facing Swarthmore, Muhlenberg, McDaniel and Dickinson before Christmas. For the holidays, the Blue Jays will head west to participate in the Tom Byron Classic at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA. Also participating in the classic are Thomas More, Mississippi College and Westmont. All three tournaments are unique and will present their own challenges to the 2006-07 Blue Jays. The Tom Byron Classic wraps up non-conference play for the Blue Jays as they jump back into Centennial Conference action upon their return to Baltimore.

Haverford visits Goldfarb to open the new year on January 6. Hopkins will play seven home games and seven road games in 2007, wrapping up the regular season with Franklin & Marshall in Goldfarb Gym on February 17. Defending regular season and tournament champion, Ursinus lost the 2006 Centennial Conference Player of the Year in Mike McGarvey. Franklin & Marshall returns several veterans, including four starters from last season. The Diplomats should provide a real challenge this season for Hopkins, which is picked first in the Centennial Conference Preseason Poll. Dickinson should also provide a challenge for the Blue Jays with a solid freshman class and two transfers.

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