Husson’s depth will be a definite plus Muzzy, Harvey head up solid list of returnees

BANGOR – Three years ago, the Husson College men’s basketball team had a big numbers problem after several players were lost for the entire – or at least significant portions of the – season due to injuries, transfers, suspensions or academic ineligibility.

This season, numbers will again be a problem for the Eagles. They have too many players to fit on the official varsity roster. As problems go, it’s a good one to have.

“We have a lot of guys this year and 10 or 12 who can play right away,” said senior co-captain Jason Harvey of Bucksport. “We’re very deep and that’s something we have that we haven’t had in the past.”

Even with the graduation losses of starters Buddy Leavitt and Phil White – Husson’s two leading scorers at 17.8 and 13.6 points per game, respectively – and the transfer of former Bangor High standout Jordan Heath (7.9 ppg), the Eagles are more than optimistic their voids can be capably filled.

“We lost a lot of shooting with Buddy and some athleticism with Phil, but I think we’re a lot more athletic with the freshmen we gained and we should be able to go to the hole a lot better with more weapons,” said senior Tyler Muzzy.

The 6-foot-4 guard-forward from Greenville, who averaged 13.1 points and 6.9 rebounds last season, is one of the five players returning from Husson’s top eight last season. Muzzy has been anxiously awaiting this season since his team lost in the North Atlantic Conference tournament semifinals.

“There’s no question in my mind we’re the best team in our conference and one of the best in the state,” Muzzy said. “We always seem to tire or falter at the end and never pull through, but we want to start strong and finish off strong this year.”

The Eagles are 1-1 after opening the season in the Plymouth State Tip-Off Nov. 17-18 and, after starting the season 2-5 the last two years, are ready to reverse that trend this year.

“At times, particularly last year with the 0-2 start, we really scrambled to get out of it and pressed too much and things kind of spiraled,” said head coach Warren Caruso.

A quick start is even more important this season with Husson playing an uncharacteristic early season game against Saint Joseph’s College today.

“This year, there’s more of a sense of urgency because we have Saint Joseph’s [Tuesday] and we have two conference games this weekend,” Caruso explained. “We have to be playing good basketball. We can’t afford not to.”

Husson’s starting five shapes up as Muzzy, Harvey (11.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.0 assists per game last season), 6-3 junior forward and co-captain Nick Henry of Penobscot, 6-2 junior guard Scott Kissinger (3.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg), and 6-6 freshman center Martin Cleveland of Portland.

“Marty’s the first post presence I’ve seen in my four years here. He opens up so much for everyone else,” Muzzy said. “He can get it done down low, but on the defensive end, he changes shots and changes people’s perspectives if they drive in. He’s a big pickup.”

The bench shapes up as a bigger strength this season with part-time starter and point guard Sheraud Lee (5.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg), junior frontcourt man Devan Philbrick of Corinth, sophomore guard Fabian Figueroa, 6-4 junior forward Rajee Jennings, sophomore guard Blaine Meehan – a Hampden native who transferred from Thomas College – and 6-5 freshman forward Matt MacKenzie of Warren all set to log significant minutes.

“We have a lot of veterans to blend in with the younger guys, and some of those young guys will play significant minutes for us, I think,” said Harvey.

Harvey is more than ready to lead an Eagles’ attack hoping to fly with the fast break.

“We can get up and down the court with anybody,” Harvey said. “We’re very quick this year, we have big guys who are very mobile, we can shoot and play defense… I mean, we have all the tools to be a good up-tempo team.”

The starting gun for tonight’s clash at Newman Gymnasium goes off at 7 p.m.