Bonnies can overcome loss of young big man
Jordan Tyson tore a ligament in his left wrist and is out for the season. On paper, the injury is a big blow to the Bonnies’ hopes for the 2015-16 season.
By VINNY PEZZIMENTI
@vpezz
Jordan Tyson tore a ligament in his left wrist and is out for the season. On paper, the injury is a big blow to the Bonnies’ hopes for the 2015-16 season.
The only player on the roster taller than 6-8, Tyson was precariously penciled in as a frontcourt starter alongside Dion Wright. Mark Schmidt, this summer, expressed his excitement about Tyson’s development and potential.
The Bonnies sure could have used Tyson’s rangy 6-10 frame in the paint this winter. Yet, his loss isn’t as great as it may appear.
Let’s start with Tyson, who was buried on the Bonnies bench last season and only appeared in garbage time of one game before a broken jaw ended his season. He also played in the team’s exhibition against Division II Mansfield, accumulating five fouls in seven minutes.
Schmidt’s assessment of Tyson this summer to Olean Times Herald’s JP Butler is insightful and, perhaps, telling:
“He doesn’t need to come in and score 20 points and get 10 rebounds, but he’s got to come in, rebound, defend and block shots. We’re comfortable and confident that he can do that.”
In a lot of ways, this sounds like a D’Lancy Carter or Chris Dees type - a big body off the bench who can bang down low for 10-15 minutes a game, score 4-6 garbage points, grab 4-5 boards and play competent defense.
This role is important - especially against the taller teams the Bonnies will face - but it isn’t vital to their success. It is a role that a combination of Denzel Gregg, Derrick Woods and LaDarien Green may be able to fill - albeit without the height or girth of Tyson.
Of course, the Bonnies will have to change the way they play. But they were ready and prepared to do that anyway. At best, Tyson was going to give them 20 solid minutes a game. Ten solid minutes was more realistic for a raw and developing player with no college experience.
The Bonnies will be small, but they will be fast. They have talented guards and wings who can slash and hit open shots from the perimeter.
Let’s not forget how tough Dayton was last year without big players. The Flyers’ style spread out the Bonnies and took Youssou Ndoye out of the game - all three times the teams played.
With or without Tyson, the Bonnies have a roster than can compete for a top spot in the Atlantic 10 and perhaps a postseason berth. They will miss Tyson, but they will survive.
