Season Preview: Sea Gulls ready to compete in CAC's
SALISBURY, Md. – The Salisbury University men's basketball team experienced a tumultuous season in the 2006-07 campaign as the Sea Gulls suffered their second losing season in the past three years, however, the return of seven players from last year's roster has the maroon and gold ready to make headway in the Capital Athletic Conference.

The Sea Gulls lost two of the most prolific scorers in school history as the fifth all-time leading scorer Segun Odumeru (1,521 points) and the eighth all-time leading scorer Ray Williams (1,439) both graduated. Even without the team's top scorers from last year the expectations remain the same.

"We want to compete at the highest level we can every night. If we do that hopefully the chips will fall in the right place," said SU coach Steve Holmes, who is entering his eighth season at the helm for the Sea Gulls.

Salisbury only returns 16 percent of its offensive production from last year as Williams and Odumeru accounted for 953 of the 1,947 points scored. The seven returning players combined to score 310 points.

"This team appreciates what all the guys have done in the past for this program but they really want to establish their own identity," said Holmes. "We are going to miss those guys [Williams and Odumeru] but as a team I think we can fill the voids. This is one of the hardest working teams we have had."

The Sea Gulls are going to rely on senior co-captain Gary Ward (Poolesville, Md./Poolesville) to carry the weight of the team.

Ward played in all 26 games last season, made four starts and averaged 7.2 points per game. The leading returning scorer from one year ago scored a season-high 19 points against Mount Aloysius and Marymount (Va.) while he finished the season 33-of-97 from three-point range.

"Gary is a great captain for us," said Holmes. "He works hard all the time, leads vocally and by example and his work ethic has rubbed off on the entire team."

Ward started three consecutive games in January where he averaged 11 points per contest as he registered 10 points against Marymount (Va.), 13 points against Hood and 10 points against York (Pa.).

"I want to lead the team to a breakout season," said Ward, who has 5.5 career points per game average. "I feel like we can really surprise some teams this year. If we continue to work we should continue to improve and win games."

Joining Ward in the backcourt will be Montez Hagans (Georgetown, Del./Sussex Central). The 5-8 point guard won't have the luxury of being eased into the position as the Sea Gulls’ coaching staff expects big things from the freshman.

"When we recruited Montez we wanted him to play a backup role and ease into things," said Holmes. "He has really established himself as the quarterback of our offense and he is going to get a lot of minutes."

Five of the seven returning players to the team are guards. Junior Sean Whittaker (Delhi, N.Y./Delaware Academy) played in 24 games and totaled 29 points on the season, sophomore Matt DeLizio played in 17 games and scored 31 points on the year and sophomores Greg Palmer (Salisbury, Md./Salisbury Christian) and Will Watkins (Brooklyn, N.Y./Friends) along with junior Tim Brasel (Newark, Del./The Tome School) combined for eight points on the year.

Senior Todd Ostrom (Myrtle Beach, S.C./Magruder) is another newcomer that will help the guard play.

"Todd is one of those guys that can do a little of everything," said Holmes.

Senior co-captain Jonas Vaitkus is projected to add depth to the front court for the Sea Gulls as he has been a catalyst on defense for his career.

"Jonas has been a rock for three years and really been a guy we can count on," said Holmes. "He has asked me for three years for more playing time and now he is going to get his opportunity."

Vaitkus played in 25 games last year and made 12 starts. He finished the season with 55 total points, pulled down 51 rebounds and averaged over 13 minutes per game.

Schedule
The CAC is arguably one of the most difficult conferences in the country and the Sea Gulls' non-conference schedule doesn't make things any easier. The maroon and gold open up the season at the Mount Aloysius Tournament where they went 2-0 last year before returning home to face former CAC member Goucher in the Pride of Maryland Tournament.

Salisbury and Goucher met twice last season as the Sea Gulls won both of those contests. SU won 73-67 in Towson, Md., and later in the season handed the Gophers a 15-point loss, 80-65, in the Maggs Center.

The Pride of Maryland Tournament continues as SU faces last season’s tournament champions, Johns Hopkins. The Blue Jays defeated the Sea Gulls in the championship game, 71-60, and went on to win the Centennial Conference and advance to the NCAA Division III tournament.

Salisbury's annual Optimist Classic features two NCAA tournament teams from one year ago. The Manhattanville Valiants and Ramapo Roadrunners each won their conference and made the field of 64. Manhattanville went 23-6 last year and were winners of the Skyline Conference while Ramapo finished 22-8 and won the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Roadrunners defeated York (Pa.), 77-68, in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Albright College is the fourth team that will participate in the Optimist Classic. The Lions went 10-14 last year.

The final two non-conference game for Salisbury is against the 2005-06 Division III national champions and 2006-07 national finalists, Virginia Wesleyan Marlins and Eastern Shore rival Washington (Md.). Two years ago the Sea Gulls were one of three teams in the country to defeat the Marlins but last year VWC got revenge as they beat SU, 73-64. The Shoremen struggled through a 4-20 season last year.

The conference adds Villa Julie and Wesley this season which makes the CAC even more difficult top to bottom. VJC won the NEAC championship last year and advanced to its second consecutive NCAA tournament while the Wolverines went 11-15.

"It is going to be as tough as ever in the conference," said Holmes. "It's tough every year but being young like we are and adding Wesley and Villa Julie makes it more difficult."

Salisbury met the Mustangs in the Pride of Maryland Tournament last season and hung on to win an 84-83 overtime thriller.

Last season's CAC champion was Catholic who left the conference. The Cardinals defeated Hood College in the title game but the Blazers earned an at-large bid into the NCAA tournament.

"Every night is going to be a hard fought battle," said Holmes. "There are no roll over teams in the conference which gets you ready for your conference tournament."

Summary
The Sea Gulls may struggle early because of the loss of Williams and Odumeru but the maroon and gold could surprise some teams. The team will go as far as Ward takes them as he has the most experience of anyone on the roster.

When Salisbury hosts the Optimist Classic that could be a good test to see how the maroon and gold can respond to good competition. Manhattanville and Ramapo are both strong teams, who each won their conference championships last year, and the game against Virginia Wesleyan will let the Capital Athletic Conference know if the Sea Gulls are a contender.

"I really feel confident this is a team that can grow throughout the year," said Holmes. "This group of guys represents Salisbury University very well and has a great attitude and respect for the game. We are very excited about the potential of this team."