|
|
||
|
Altmann pivoting to a new post role Altmann is UMW's big man on campus Date published: 11/19/2009 By Steve DeShazo BY STEVE DeSHAZO Being looked up to is nothing new to Brandon Altmann. At 6-foot-9, the University of Mary Washington's senior center has always stood above the crowd. Being a leader is another story. Altmann was the third option at Vienna's James Madison High School behind future Division I players Jon Ogolo (Elon) and Warren Edney (Fairfield). He was a role player as a freshman at Division II Gannon (Pa.) University, then transferred to UMW, where he deferred for the last two seasons to guard Matt Hale, who's a year older. Now, though, Hale has graduated, and the 2009-10 Eagles' destiny is pretty clear. "We have to ride him," coach Rod Wood said yesterday. "If Brandon is not getting double-doubles and scoring 20 points per game, we're not going to win." That means Altmann will need to improve on a pretty impressive junior season, when he averaged 17.1 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. He scored in double figures in 22 of 26 games and posted 16 double-doubles, including his final six games. Raising those numbers is crucial. But on a young team, Wood also wants his workhorse to raise his profile. And for the low-key Altman, that may be harder than perfecting a jump hook. "I know that everything kind of rests of my shoulders," he said. "I've never been in a leadership role. Matt [Hale]'s always been that guy. I'm trying to be more vocal and lead by example." The physical part has been no problem. Altmann spent the summer working with a personal trainer in Tyson's Corner and added 15 pounds of muscle. He now weighs 235. And the Web site D3hoops.com named him a preseason Division III honorable mention All-American. But being older and stronger doesn't necessarily mean he (or the Eagles) will be better. They open the season tomorrow night against Lynchburg in the Roanoke Tipoff Tournament. Said Wood: "The problem is going to be getting him the ball and him staying within the framework of the offense. We're so young at the guards."
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
|
|
|||||||||
