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As a junior last season, Brandon Altmann averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds a game, but he had UMW standout Matt Hale on the perimeter. With Hale graduated, Altmann will shoulder the burden for the young Eagles. |
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."
That's why the Eagles' coaching staff has preached to Altmann the urgency of demanding the ball, rather than simply feasting on offensive rebounds.
"Coach tells me all the time, 'Don't play down to the competition; play up to your potential,'"Altmann said.
Without Hale's outside shooting threat, UMW's opponents in the Capital Athletic Conference--which has a dearth of quality big men--will likely surround Altmann with all manner of zones.
The tricky part is to be aggressive while avoiding fouls. In an exhibition game against Division I Gardner-Webb last week, Altmann had to sit down after being whistled twice in the early minutes, and the Eagles couldn't stay close.
"You have to be careful," Altmann said. "Coach tells me I'm only coming out of the game when I'm tired. I have a reputation for getting in four trouble. I know that the only person who can take me out of a game is myself.
"I've got to play hard, but play smart. I get frustrated sometimes, but it'll come."
Altmann's presence at UMW is something of a second chance for both parties.
The Eagles recruited Altmann out of high school, but he jumped on an early scholarship offer from Gannon. After one semester, though, he got homesick.
During semester break, he returned home and spoke with Hale, who had made a similar transition from Division II. After playing pickup ball with some of UMW's players, he decided to ask for his release and transferred.
He joined a program that has never had a dominant big man. Buddy Hawley, regarded as the best player in school history, played forward at 6-foot-2. Mike Lee, UMW's career scoring leader, played guard.
This year, though, Altmann is joined in the frontcourt by 6-5 sophomore Tad Dickman and promising 6-7 freshman J.R. Gray. The Eagles have been a perimeter-oriented team for years, but Wood has adjusted his style to fit Altmann's talents.
"He's one of a kind," said Hale, who's now a graduate assistant coach and Altmann's roommate. "I've never played with a big guy like him. After last year, he turned it up a notch. He wants to have a great senior year."
Steve DeShazo: 540/374-5443
Email: sdeshazo@freelancestar.com
