THUNDER BAY -- Coming from Carleton, first-year Lakehead Thunderwolves coach Manny Furtado would be happiest if his new team was 7-0 at the Christmas break.
A strong finish, including back-to-back wins over Nipissing and Laurentian, sees the Thunderwolves hit the Christmas break at 4-3. But given their early struggles, Furtado is pleased with where they sit heading into a second half that includes visits to Ottawa and Carleton, the top two teams in the nation.
“We had some tough games against some tough opponents,” Furtado said. “We had Windsor here and were up six at the half and just kind of blew that third quarter away. McMaster in the second game and the second half, it was the same idea.
“I think these guys understand if they can do it for 40 minutes, if they can do it every possession, like we’ve asked, that they could potentially play with any team in the country.”
If the Wolves are to succeed in the second half and build on their first seven games, Furtado says they’ll have to make the most of opposition possessions.
But he also wants to see improvements on offence.
“Our field-goal percentage is pretty low. Defensively, rebounding wise we’re up there. Defensively rebounding is always going to be our emphasis. We need to get better at that kind of stuff,” Furtado said recently.
“From an offensive perspective, I think definitely our tempo and transition and hitting open shots. I think right now we are the worst in the country from the three-point line and it’s something we need to fix.”
Lakehead hit just 35 of 146 three-point shots taken in the first half and the team’s offensive totals reflect the stat. The Thunderwolves are one of the lowest-scoring teams in Canada, averaging just over 70 points a night.
“I’m not sure if it’s a confidence thing. I’m not sure if it’s just a lack of experience with some of the first-year guys that are getting shots that are open,” he said.
Furtado can take solace that his squad is one of the stingiest defences in the nation, the Wolves 66.1 points allowed per game the third best in the CIS.
The Wolves, who will play in the 48th annual Wesman Classic in Winnipeg starting Dec. 28, have to continue that style of play, Furtado said.
“If we can get a shot-clock violation and create a turnover, if we can get tip, a steal, a deflection. If we can get a defensive rebound, now all of a sudden we go into transition and with our speed and athleticism, I think we can get up and down the floor pretty well with anybody in the country,” he said.
“Then it becomes a half-court set and we can start finding mismatches, advantages and whatnot. But first and foremost, it’s got to be defence. Defence wins championships. Offence sells tickets.”
Defensively the Wolves are led by first-year forward Bacarius Dinkins, who is 10th in Canada, averaging 9.4 boards a night.
He’s also a leader defensively, with 11 points a game, third to fifth-year guard Dwayne Harvey, who is putting up 12.9 points a night. Fellow senior Anthony McIntosh is second at 12 points a game.
Furtado is hopeful the injuries that plagued his team are behind him. He said he expects seven-foot forward Brent Wallace to return in the second half, and is confident that oft-injured guard Henry Tan can also find his way back to the court.
He’s also looking for growth from the rookie contingent, including guard Ryan Doornick, who showed flashes of brilliance, and fellow guards Ashaunti Hogan and Mor Menashe.
The Wolves open second-half play on Jan. 9 when they host the Brock Badgers.
