Coach Tompkins' turn to run the Eagles show

Tony Tompkins takes over at the helm of the Judson men's basketball program as the 2008-09 season gets under way. After one year as the associate head coach under Jim Cook, Tompkins' inaugural campaign included the Eagles' first ever CCAC regular season and tournament championships, which led to their first appearance at the NAIA Division II National Tournament.

With a new coach comes a new system as well as a renovated roster.

Back from last year are guard DeWayne Robinson (Memphis, TN) and forward Matt Koehling (Big Rock, IL).

While Robinson won't be available until second semester, he led the Eagle offense last year averaging 21.1 points per game and 3.3 assists per game. Robinson attacked the boards for 6.2 rebounds per game and averaged 5 blocks per game.

In his absence, freshman guards Landon Skinner (Plano, TX) and Josh Edwards (Mapleton, IL) have quickly become offensive threats. Junior forward Ben Rayhorn (Dakota, IL) has also made an early impact.

"I really like our team," said Tompkins. "There is a ton of potential here. We have excellent team chemistry, and these guys are fundamentally sound."

Also looking to help the Eagle cause will be guards Samuel Lemmerman (Hurricane, WV), Michael Wood (Wheaton) and Nate McNeely (Monmouth), and forwards Jon Kash (Scheller, IL), LeStan Hoskins (Danville), Ryan Shelton (Loves Park), Caleb Sutton (Lincoln, IL), Trent Tucker (Versailles, IN), Brian Sherwood (Oak Forest), Josh Weber (Sterling) and Dovydas Retkus (Lithuania).

"We have 19 guys here who are very unselfish, who play very well together and who each have a high basketball IQ," said Tompkins.

Judson will feature man coverage which will be an adjustment for several newcomers who have focused primarily on zone coverage in the past.

Shooting and team speed will be strengths.

"We need to improve on execution and take better care of the ball, but this team is solid," Tompkins said. "As for the overall agenda, we will take it one game at a time."