The offseason is in full swing for Wofford Men’s Basketball, but that doesn’t mean it’s downtime for players or coaches. Summer is a time for coaches to focus on recruiting and planning ahead. Players hit the weight room and work on fundamentals; some are taking summer classes.
All of this was limited a year ago, as the pandemic had things locked down at Wofford and elsewhere. This offseason should be a return to something more normal – and with so many young players in the program, Coach Jay McAuley is hoping the coming months will pave the way for success next season and beyond.
Of course, this offseason has been anything but normal in other ways. The NCAA’s pandemic-related transfer waiver, along with its granting of a “free” additional year of eligibility, has opened the floodgates. The transfer portal has been extremely busy. Many observers question whether it’s a good thing for college basketball – and even for many of the players who have decided to make a jump. McAuley describes the situation as one that’s extremely challenging for coaches, and he worries the players are often misled or overly optimistic.
Fortunately for Wofford, the roster has stayed mostly intact. Storm Murphy and Tray Hollowell entered the portal, but they had played four seasons for Wofford and both graduated. No one seriously expected them to return. More disappointing was the departure of Nick Pringle, an athletic 6-8 freshman who played sparingly but showed flashes of extraordinary potential. He has moved on to Dodge City Community College. When I spoke to McAuley several weeks ago, he made clear that the Wofford staff was supportive of Pringle and hopeful that things would work out well for him.
Meanwhile, Wofford added two recruits in the spring signing period – Luke Turner, a 6-6 wing out of California, and Ohio guard Corey Tripp. Both appear to be excellent prospects. They join 6-9 Dante Keisenhofer, a versatile big man out of North Carolina who signed in the fall.
In our conversation, McAuley touched on a number of topics. I appreciate his time and willingness to share some insights on the program. Here are some highlights:
A Weird – But Successful – Year
As we all know, COVID-19 turned the world upside-down – and that included college basketball. In-person contact last summer was scarce, making the season difficult to prepare for. COVID-19 protocols were a tremendous hassle. Classes went online for much of the year. Scheduling of games got out of whack. Fans weren’t allowed into games at most colleges, including Wofford, until late in the season and, even then, only in small numbers. Players had to sit apart on the benches. Still, Wofford’s guys persevered and played above expectations. Despite losing its first game in the SoCon Tourney to Mercer, there was much to be happy about.
“I was proud of our chemistry,” McAuley said, noting the unusual summer and preseason restrictions.
“The players only interacted on Zoom calls until Labor Day,” he said. NCAA rules prohibited teams from holding full-blown practices until the middle of October. But players could work out together and play pickup ball.
“When I heard the older guys say we had good chemistry, and they were coming to me and saying, ‘These new guys are talented. They each have their own skill set and can make us better,’ I knew we were going to surprise some people who thought we were going to be a few years away.”
The Pandemic’s Impact On College Life For Athletes
On the whole, the pandemic had an undeniable impact, and basketball was only part of it. As McAuley put it, “A lot of young people choose Wofford because of the classroom environment.” Going to online classes or a hybrid schedule was by no means ideal. Some kids “are problem-solvers” who have an easier time adapting to new situations. Still, McAuley said, “It was difficult for everyone.”
Needless to say, the Wofford coaches and players are looking forward to more normal times ahead.
Fans Made A Difference Late In The Year
Attendance was limited at all arenas, but Wofford’s policy was more strict than some, including other SoCon schools (which, it can be said, may have been a sensible policy on Wofford’s part).
A limited number of fans were allowed to attend the home games against The Citadel and Furman at the end of the regular season. “It felt like the Super Bowl having fans there,” McAuley said. “It was loud, and it helped us get over the hump in those games.”
McAuley hopes for large, enthusiastic crowds in the seasons to come.
OK, So The Obvious: We’ve Got To Replace Storm Murphy
Storm Murphy’s senior season was one for the ages. His 3-point shooting was outstanding. His leadership was top-notch. At times, it seemed that Murphy simply willed the team to win.
And, by the way, Murphy was very, very good the three previous seasons, as well. For the first time in four years, Wofford will be starting someone else at point guard. To say there are large shoes to fill would be a gross understatement.
There are several candidates to step into the point guard role. They may not bring Murphy’s senior year point production – few Wofford players have, ever – but if one or more can run the offense efficiently, it should be a key building block for the season to come. McAuley shared thoughts on the leading candidates.
Ryan Larson, a rising senior, could have the inside track. He’s seasoned and tough as nails. While he’s mostly played off-guard, McAuley wanted to remind fans that Larson “ran point in the second platoon (as a freshman) on the best team we’ve ever had. We went to USC when Storm couldn’t play and won by 20 with Ryan at point guard.”
Rising sophomore Keaton Turner will also get a look. His career got off to a slow start due to a bout with mono, but Turner looked good in stretches. He’s a quick, smooth ball handler with a natural shooting touch. “He showed flashes of real scoring power,” McAuley noted.
Incoming freshman Corey Tripp seems likely to be a factor, as well. He earned a ton of accolades as a senior at Medina High School in Ohio, including first-team all-state honors. “Corey has a completely different body type. He’s physically gifted. He can really get to the paint. And he’s a good decision-maker.”
Transfer “Free-For-All”
As noted above, the NCAA’s pandemic-related relaxation of transfer rules, along with the allowance of an extra year of eligibility, has made this offseason especially unusual – and challenging for coaches. There are, of course, positive things to be said for giving players maximum freedom to move on from a bad situation, seek more playing time at a different school, test their mettle against higher level competition, move back closer to home, or seek a better fit academically or culturally.
McAuley acknowledges all of this. But, like all coaches, he still has to lead a program, build for the future, and attempt to foster stability. Turbulence doesn’t make things easier. “It’s a free-for-all,” he said. “It’s a hard climate to be in right now.”
McAuley doesn’t completely decry the leverage players and families now have, but he also thinks “there’s not a lot of policing going on. Players are sometimes lied to or tampered with.”
He added: “Guys hear from parties back home: ‘You’re the best player.’ ‘Why aren’t they playing you this way or that way?’ ‘You played this way in high school.’
“It takes a lot of honesty (on the part of the Wofford staff) up front, and that’s what we’re all about. We have an ‘eat what you kill’ mentality around here. We do a lot of competitions, so it’s clear who’s ahead of whom every day. And if you’re behind, you know to work harder. So honesty and a competitive environment usually help things to work themselves out.”
Again, Wofford’s offseason has been relatively stable on the transfer front. I have to think this speaks well of the way McAuley and his staff have vetted recruits as well as the culture they are working to build on. “We have a winning tradition, and guys like it here,” he remarked.
More from my conversation with Coach McAuley soon. Again, I’m grateful for his time and his insights on the Wofford program.
Thought provoking observations Baker — thanks!