Judson men hope to keep winning traidtion going

The Judson University men's basketball program has developed a winning feeling.

Last season, first-year coach Tony Tompkins guided the Eagles to a share of their second straight Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference title and a 21-11 record.

Four-time all-CCAC performer and all-American DeWayne Robinson (1,801 career points) is gone, but the 2009-10 team intends to again compete for the league title and make a push for the program's second appearance in the NAIA National Tournament in three seasons with a balanced attack. The deep roster is headed by all-CCAC first-team pick and Freshman of the Year, Landon Skinner, all-CCAC honorable mention picks Josh Edwards and Ben Rayhorn and several key contributors.

"I think we're a better team than we were last year, but it's early right now and our schedule is not easy," Tompkins said Tuesday. "It's going to be a test, but I think we definitely have the ability to repeat and go down to the national tournament if the guys do what they're supposed to do."

The team is off to a 1-1 start. Last week at the Mount Mercy Classic in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the Eagles defeated Iowa Wesleyan 85-74 but were tamed 106-92 by the host school.

Skinner led Judson with 16 points against Iowa Wesleyan and 23 against Mt. Mercy, continuing a trend set last year. As a freshman the 6-foot-2 guard from Plano, Texas finished third in league scoring (19.1 avg.) and in the top 10 in eight categories, including third in assists (3.4) and steals (1.7). However, this won't be a one-man show.

"What we want is a more balanced attack with everyone contributing a bit," Tompkins said. "That's what we're striving for. I still see Landon being up in double figures, just not in the high 20s."

Edwards, a 6-2 sophomore guard, was twice named CCAC player of the week last season. He was second in the league in 3-point field goals made per game (2.48), third in 3-point shooting percentage (.391) and eighth in scoring (13.8).

Senior center Josh Weber (6-7) was named all-tournament at Mt. Mercy after averaging 14.5 points and 5 rebounds.

Rayhorn (6-6, F), a senior who led the team in rebounds in each of its first two games, averaged 9.6 points and 4.3 rebounds a game last year.

"He's definitely a key guy," Tompkins said. "When he doesn't do well, we don't do well overall. We know Landon's going to give us points and when Ben's going we're very, very tough to beat. I'd say he's kind of the key."

The Eagles need consistent production from senior guard Nate McNeely (6-2) and point guards Jim Kuban (5-11, Jr.) and Marious Lobdell (5-11, So.). They combined to shoot 14 of 43 (24.6 percent) in their first two games.

Tompkins said sophomore forward Brian Sherwood (6-7) from Oak Forest "has potential to do some big things" and freshman center Anthony Ahlers (6-7) of Magnolia, Ill. "is beginning to play well."

Aggressive Westminster Christian alumni Joel Benson, a 6-4 sophomore forward, has 6 points and 5 rebounds in 18 minutes at power forward.

Tompkins said some lineup tweaks are possible depending on November results and would like to see this team hit its stride heading into December, a quickened stride at that.

"We're going to play hard and we're going to play fast," Tompkins said. "As long as guys do their job, we're going to be a pretty tough team to stop. I think we have a lot of depth. We have a lot of offensive weapons. We just have to focus more on our defense and a winning attitude. They work hard and they all seem to get along really well. Now, we just have to figure out how to win consistently."