The Blinn College men's basketball team will look to take the next step in 2015-16, and just like everything else they'll do on the court this season, they'll look to do it quickly.
The Buccaneers finished 2014-15 with a 23-9 record and the fifth seed in the Region XIV tournament. Blinn was able to get past Paris Junior College on a last-second layup by Morris Dunnigan (Joliet, Ill.) but fell to Angelina College in the quarterfinals to end the season.
"Last season was very successful but we are looking to take the next step," Blinn coach Scott Schumacher said. "The next step is to see if we can come in as one of the top two teams in the division so we can get a bye in the regional tournament."
The Buccaneers will go after one of the top spots in conference with only two players returning from last year's roster. Guards Ja'Corey Colvin (Brenham) and Dunnigan have both have shown improvement in their sophomore seasons, Schumacher said.
"Morris Dunnigan has been phenomenal in practice and goes hard all the time," Schumacher said. "He is not a very vocal player but he leads with his actions."
Dunnigan started 22 games last season and was second on the team with 13.3 points per game. Colvin saw time in 11 games and averaged 1.9 points per game.
With athletic newcomers on the court, Blinn will look to push the ball and put the ball in the hoop as quick as possible.
"All of our players are able to score and are very fast," Schumacher said. "So far we haven't had a bad practice."
Blinn has plenty of newcomers this season, starting with 6-foot point guard John Dewey from Bronx, N.Y. Dewey will be a solid facilitator that has a very high basketball I.Q. Corey Henderson (Dallas) is a transfer from Wichita State University whose father played at Texas A&M University. Henderson is a highly-skilled player who can shoot, and he has already committed to the University of Tulsa.
David Blaylock (Dallas) is another guard who redshirted at North Texas University and then played at Southwest Christian College.
The wing players for the Buccaneers will provide athleticism as well, starting with Victor Dukes out of Jonesboro, Ark. Dukes is a great rebounder and can get to the basket. LaKendric Hyson, from Mumford, will join Dukes in hitting the boards and playing tough defense.
Jhalil Mason, Emmanuel Sanosi, Jarius Kesee, Jaequon Brown, James Harrison, Donzell Henton and Aaron Washington will all battle for time at the wing position.
Mason, also from Bronx, N.Y., is a strong player who can guard and score the basketball. Sanosi, from Arlington Seguin, is 6-foot-3 and can get to the basket. Kesee was a two-time MVP at West Columbia and is smart on the court. Brown is 6-foot-3 and has a great basketball IQ.
Harrison is out of Dallas South Oak Cliff is athletic and has great potential. Henton (Houston), a guard who can also play wing, can shoot the ball well. Washington, from Jonesboro, Ark., can be a shutdown defender.
At the center position is big 7-foot-1 Link Kabadyundi (Montreal, Canada), a transfer from Texas Christian University. Kabadyundi is coming off knee surgery but can run the floor well for his size.
With the fast-paced offense, Schumacher knows the Bucs will need to emphasize defense.
"When you play fast break basketball it starts with your defense," Schumacher said.
Blinn will look to take advantage of the home court advantage with 20 home games this season.
"We have been to a lot of different places with nice crowds, but we have the best home court advantage when our students are in the gym," Schumacher said. "Fans here get into the game and our players really enjoy playing in front of them."
Blinn will open the season on the road at Victoria College on Friday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 32 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.
About Blinn College
With an enrollment of 19,422 students, Blinn ranks among the nation's leaders in transferring students to leading four-year universities and has received national recognition for affordable educational excellence. For more information, visit www.blinn.edu.