(Enlarge) UMBC sophomore guard Chauncey Gilliam goes to the basket with Brian Rudolph, of Loyola Colege, defending him during the Retrievers' 69-66 loss to the Greyhounds at the RAC Arena. (Staff photo by Nicole Martyn)

While a pair of losses to start the season might be reason for alarm, University of Maryland, Baltimore County coach Randy Monroe knows better.

"Championships aren't won in October, November, December or January," Monroe said. "They are won at the end of the year."

The sixth-year coach knows from experience, considering Monroe's Retrievers grabbed an America East championship in 2008 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.

Last season, UMBC lasted until the America East tournament final before being ousted.

Returnees Matt Spadafora and Justin Fry were members of the historic squad that challenged Georgetown University in 2008.

Fry, a 6-foot-9 senior center is recovering from knee surgery and may not return until the America East Conference schedule is in full swing.

Six-foot-5 senior swingman Spadafora takes over a captain's role on a team boasting five freshmen and three sophomores.

"I have to be somebody for the young guys to look to on and off the court," Spadafora said.

His coach let him know that at halftime of the Retrievers' 69-66 loss to Loyola, Nov. 18, at the RAC Arena.

"I really got on him because I thought he was just out there being one of the players, as opposed to being that guy that has to be a leader for us," Monroe said. "Being a leader doesn't mean you have to come out and take every shot, but what it does mean if things are in disarray, you have to bring the guys together."

Spadafora answered in the first five minutes of the second half by scoring with six points, grabbing four rebounds and making two steals as the Retrievers cut a 10-point deficit to four.

The hosts eventually took the lead, 62-61, with 1:52 remaining after a pair of free throws by Spadafora, who assumes the leadership role from graduated point guard Jay Greene.

Greene's point-guard slot is inherited by 5-foot-10 Siena University transfer Chris De La Rosa, who practiced against Greene last year when he sat out the season because of his transfer.

"I learned the competitive nature that 'Jay G' has is out of this world," De La Rosa said. "The way he runs the show, I try to pick up from him and bring my own game at the same time."

The most experienced returning scorer is sophomore guard Chauncey Gilliam, who averaged 10.9 points per game last season and had 23 against Loyola.

Joining Gilliam, De La Rosa and Spadafora in the starting lineup against Loyola was junior center Robbie Jackson and freshman forward Adrian Satchell.

Foul trouble limited Jackson in losses to Morgan State and Loyola, but his 7-foot frame will be a welcome threat when the Retrievers start conference play.

Jackson sat out last season after transferring from Marshall University.

"I'm trying to change his temperament," Monroe said. "He is one of the nicest guys I've ever met. You can be a gentle giant off the floor, but I want him to be a mean, mean, mean fighting machine."

Satchell (6-5), the only freshman to start the first two games, nabbed 10 rebounds and nine points in the opener.

"He is like a quiet assassin," Monroe said. "He quietly gets the job done."

Shawn Grant (6-4) came off the bench to record 17 points, hitting five three-pointers, in the first two games.

Freshman guard Brian Neller (6-4) is another deadly perimeter weapon.

"He's a three-point sniper who can flat out shoot the ball -- and he shoots it from deep," Monroe said.

Freshman point guard Nick Groce (5-11) looks comfortable as De La Rosa's understudy. Junior guard Bakari Smith (6-3) and junior forward Jake Wasco (6-8) played reserve roles in the first two games.

After hosting Coppin State on Nov. 24, nine of the Retrievers' next 10 games are on the road.

The only home date in that stretch is a Dec. 12 meeting with a Rider University squad that defeated 18th-ranked Mississippi State University, 88-74, in its season opener.

user comments (0)