With the university fervently promoting eco-friendly policies, it comes as no surprise that fifth-year senior Darren Smith is concerned with sustainable energy.
Except, he’s talking about rebounding and free throws, not recycling and fuel cells.
“In the beginning of the year, I was healthy,” Smith said of the 2009-2010 season, in which he started 22 games after spending two years sidelined with a shattered knee. “The health didn’t sustain throughout the year. It kind of wore off.”
But to listen to Smith and oft-injured fifth-year Andreas Schreiber tell it, staying in peak condition won’t be a concern this year.
Smith employed an intensive workout regimen in the offseason to help him return to his ideal playing shape, and Schreiber says that, despite numerous shoulder problems, he is as good as he’s ever been — if not better.
“I’m back healthy, healthy as ever,” he said. “110 percent. Much stronger, better shape than I’ve been ever.”
Schreiber’s comments recall statements he made prior to the 2009-10 season in which he played only two games.
How his four-time surgically repaired shoulder will hold up in his return to the court remains to be seen.
But, as coach Jerome Allen is quick to point out, the returns of Smith and Schreiber — as well as that of senior Tyler Bernardini, who missed most of last season with a foot injury — should manifest themselves in more ways than just on-court production.
“It’s important to have some veteran guys on the team,” Allen said. “They’ve taken ownership.”
That experience will prove especially crucial this season, as big graduation losses at Ivy powerhouse Cornell should make for more league parity.
Despite being chosen to finish fourth in the conference behind the Big Red, Allen didn’t seem overly concerned with league standings.
“I think the beauty of it is that we can’t finish lower than eighth place,” Allen joked. “We just try to go out night in and night out and control our own destiny.”
And with Smith, Schreiber and Bernardini ready for action, controlling their destiny looks to be that much easier.
