Whatever message Tim Kendrick is preaching, it’s working.
The first-year head coach of the UPEI Panthers men’s basketball team has watched his squad storm out to a 4-0 start in the 2011-2012 Atlantic University Sport season.
Last weekend, they defeated the Memorial Sea-Hawks twice in St. John’s, N.L., by scores of 93-83 and 98-74.
This weekend, the club is back at home to square off with the Acadia Axemen. Game times are 8 p.m. Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday.
“I feel great about it,” Kendrick said of UPEI's early success. “It’s great for our players. They’ve had some tough years and this early success will help us build into this season.”
The Panthers have bought into his high-pressure system and find themselves tied for first-place four games in.
“The players have been great from the start,” the former high school coach said, adding that he’s found himself quite comfortable early at the university level.
“It’s been what I expected,” said Kendrick, 49. “I’m confident in what I’m doing here, and sure don’t feel like a first-year guy.”
Co-captain Manock Lual was named UPEI’s male athlete of the week for his performances on the Rock.
Lual led the way in Saturday’s 93-83 win with 33 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for the Panthers.
“That’s a super game,” said Kendrick of Lual’s performance.
“He’s a horse. He’s a real great young man who understands hard work. His leadership and enthusiasm have been even more valuable than his play, and he’s been very good.”
Lual went on to drain 20 points in Sunday’s 98-74 win.
“I’m a real believer in preparation,” said the 6-foot-6 Panther forward. “Coach really helped us prepare for the week with skill development within practice and a lot of game tape, breaking down mistakes we may have made from the weekend before.”
Donathon Moss also scored 20 points Sunday, while Jermaine Duke had a double-double, collecting 16 points and 13 rebounds. Shooting guard Jonathan Cooper added 17.
Cooper (21) and Moss (20) were both in double-digits Saturday as well.
“We really are beginning to come together,” Lual said of the Panthers. “The most important thing is to stay focused and hungry. We aren’t looking too far ahead into the future. We’re taking it one game at a time, and so far that has been a very important part of our success.”
The Axemen are led by 6-foot-10 forward Owen Klassen, a member of the national program.
Acadia comes into the weekend series with a 2-1 record, after dropping an overtime decision versus St. F.X.
“They are a very strong top team,” said Kendrick. “We’ve got to play very well to beat Acadia twice. We expect to win every time we play, and we’re certainly going to give them everything they can handle.”
The team will participate in their new tradition of a pre-game campus walk including dinner with the student body beginning at 3:50 p.m. on Saturday.
Lual said he has high hopes that UPEI will ride their hot streak into the holidays.
“We need to remember how good this feels right now,” said the fifth-year student. “That will lead to not only success against the Axemen, but also whoever we may face after that. It feels great to be first, and even better to be 4-0. The only thing better than that I feel right now would be 6-0 going into Christmas.”
