Triton men's basketball season preview

The ceiling is high for the Triton College men's basketball team. After an historic run to the NJCAA Division I Final Four last season, the Trojans have their eyes set on taking the next step in the 2022-23 season.

Triton is considered by many nationally as a championship contender, ranked No. 7 in the NJCAA Division I preseason poll. A consistent program under former head coach Steve Christiansen that won the Division II national championship in 2018, Triton hardly missed a beat moving up to Division I and under Christiansen's successor John Clancy last season.

However, a top coach can never rest on one season's laurels. Clancy is constantly recruiting, charged with replenishing the talent base that turns over every two years, often sooner.

Clancy feels he has taken that big step to powering through some of the top Division I programs like Indian Hills, Moberly and John A. Logan by installing the likes of Kimahri Wilson who is back after a season-ending knee injury, top 2021-22 producer Brandon Muntu with talented newcomers lead by UIC commit Ethan Pickett.

"I feel like we're deeper and more talented than last year," Clancy said. "We were not ranked in the NJCAA preseason poll last year and this season we are in the top 10 due to the success we had in postseason last year and the recruiting class we were able to assemble for the 2022-23 season. It is great for our program to receive preseason recognition but at the end of the day we have a goal to get back to "HUTCH" and hopefully finish what we started last year."

But to get back to Hutchinson, Kan. and win it all, Clancy knew he had to improve the depth in key areas to especially handle numerous consecutive games the further a team advances in the national tourney. Wilson, one of the top point guards in the Chicago area out of North Chicago High School, is the centerpiece of the concept of a skilled playmaker running the offense all 40 minutes.

"It's having four guys you trust with basketball," Clancy said. "(Lack of depth at the point) was part of the reason we ran out of gas (in the semi-final loss). If you want to win the whole thing, it's not always who has the best player."

"Before he was injured, Kimarhi was seventh in assists and in the top 20 in steals. He was healthy, this summer and with him sitting out and watching us go to the postseason actually had some benefits. He was like a coach on the bench, and has shown tremendous leadership."

Wilson said running the offense is as much a mental as physical game.

"You take what the defense gives you," he said. "I've always been a pass-first point guard.  It gives me joy getting my team involved, get my shooters involved. You try to call the play to the one who is hot the whole game."

Clancy said Muntu did a good job playing the point having not performed there previously, and can switch over if needed. But Muntu is best as a shooting guard and will compliment Wilson.

Pickett, a transfer from Northwest Mississippi will look to have to make a major impact at Triton before he heads to out to the West Loop to join the Flames.

"He's extremely strong, one of the most gifted, explosive athletes I've coached," Clancy said. "He's one of the most elite perimeter defenders in the country."

"UIC recruited me to play the one, so I'm picking up the little things," said the 6-foot-4 Pickett. "My strongest part is finishing, go downhill. I don't feel like anyone can guard me. I feel I am also one of the best one on defenders. I can defend anyone. I can be a dog on defense."

The Trojans expect to have a similar impaxct from the 6-foot-9 guard, Keyondre Young, a former Mr. Basketball in the state of Oklahoma and transfer from Valparaiso University.

"He is listed as a top 10 player in the JUCO top 100," Clancy said. "He's probably our headliner. He's a unique talent. At 6-9 he can dribble, pass and shoot. He's an elite three-point shooter. Keyondre's built a little like Kevin Durant. If he figures it out, he'll play in the NBA someday."

Another scoring threat could come from TJ Biel, a Vincennes transfer.

"At 6-7, he can play guard, and post you," said Clancy. "Versatility on both sides of the ball is the name of his game."

Clancy also sees depth in the middle as the other strength besides the backcourt.

At 6-foot-9, BJ Marable, a transfer from UNC-Asheville with provide the Trojans even more athleticism.  "BJ jumps out of the gym. He's an animal on the glass and will be one of the top sophomore bigs in the country," said Clancy.

Also 6-foot-9, Oklahoma product Dider Maleng, originally from the Congo will be a force in the middle and is widely considered one of the freshman post players in the NJCAA.

In the wake of the semi-final loss, Clancy said he was on his own learning curve as a head coach. He has given the subject even more thought going into the season. He will be helped by returning assistant coach Brian Burns along with new assistants Zac Boster and Stanley Boateng.

"It's managing personalities, and understanding it is a marathon and not a sprint," he said. "The season, if you make it to the national tournament is very long and a true grind. I've delegated more to Brian Burns who has proven to be one of the top recruiters and assistant coaches in all of JUCO.  The additions Zac and Stan will prove invaluable in our skill development program, I am fortunate to have an outstanding staff of coaches who are also genuinely great people to be in the trenches with on a daily basis."

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(Story by tritonathletics.com contributor George Castle)