Experienced Bold squad primed for deep playoff run

TORONTO - For the TMU men's basketball team, this season is about taking the next step.

The 2022-23 season represented a return to form for the program. They finished 14-8 in the regular season, good for third in OUA's Central division. But after a first round win over McMaster, the Bold fell 73-72 to the Ottawa Gee-Gees in the OUA quarter-finals.

Since finishing third in the nation during the 2018-19 season, the Bold have been eliminated in the OUA quarter-finals in three straight seasons. This year the Bold return key starters and role players, like David Walker and Lincoln Rosebush, who look to return TMU to previous heights.

The group has shown its potential already. If there's any disappointment about last season's ending the Bold haven't shown it during its preseason action. They've played well, winning the Naismith Classic tournament in Waterloo earlier this month. Aaron Rhooms, who was named MVP of the event, believes the tournament represents the start of something big.

"I think the biggest thing was just building morale for the guys", said Rhooms. "And just showing them the capability of how well we can play together and how we can gel together."

The 6-6 guard, who represented Canada at Globl Jam this summer, understands that the next step for him starts with leadership. No longer an underclassman, the third-year has taken a more vocal role than in previous years.

"[Globl Jam] was huge. Being able to pick up things from women's basketball, NCAA basketball, and overseas contributes to my understanding of the game," said Rhooms on the experience of playing for his country. "And to just bring that into the season with my guys, relaying some of that information, and give them a taste of what it's like at that Team Canada level."

The Bold's playoff chances are also boosted by big men Julian Walker and Aidan Wilson. The two forwards did not play last season for the Bold, but previously contributed in big ways on U SPORTS teams. Walker, who began his university career at Western, averaged 17.8 points per game with Western in the 2019-2020 season. Wilson, who played for the University of Fraser Valley, averaged 7.7 points per game and was one of the nation's top shot-blockers in 2021-2022, with a total of 13 blocks across 15 games.

The Bold used transfers to complement last year's roster well. Rhooms and David Walker led last year's squad in points with a combined 834. This year, point-scoring looks to be more spread out, creating a multi-dimensional dynamic on offence.

Helping reduce the workload of Walker and Rhooms is fourth-year guard Adrian Stevens. Stevens, who began his career at Fanshawe, played a reserve role on last year's squad. Rhooms believes that the work Stevens put in over the summer has him ready to become a key contributor on this year's team.

"He's in the gym at 8 a.m., staying after practice shooting," said Rhooms on Stevens' off-season focus. "We've had a lot of conversations about being more aggressive when you have the time on the floor. He's one of the best shooters that we have."

That identity of spot-up shooting was present on last year's squad. The Bold shot an impressive 36.7% from behind the arc, good for second in the OUA. Overall the team shot at a 46.8% clip from the field, contributing to a top-four scoring offence last season. It's a high-scoring offence that head coach David DeAveiro has brought to the Bold since taking over two seasons ago. In those two years the Bold are 15-9 at home, a trend that could help them come playoff time.

"[Losing] by one point last year just shows you how close you were," said Rhooms. "We were that close. Why can't we go all the way this year?"

The Bold begin their regular season on November 3rd and 4th against Lakehead at the MAC as they look to take the next step towards recapturing an OUA championship.

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Players Mentioned

#0 Adrian Stevens: G; 6' 4"; 4

#5 Julian Walker: F; 6' 7"; 5

#6 David Walker: G; 6' 4"; 4

#11 Lincoln Rosebush: F; 6' 10"; 5

#12 Aaron Rhooms: G; 6' 6"; 3

#22 Aidan Wilson: F; 6' 11"; 3

Players Mentioned

#0 Adrian Stevens
: 6' 4"; 4
: G

#5 Julian Walker
: 6' 7"; 5
: F

#6 David Walker
: 6' 4"; 4
: G

#11 Lincoln Rosebush
: 6' 10"; 5
: F

#12 Aaron Rhooms
: 6' 6"; 3
: G

#22 Aidan Wilson
: 6' 11"; 3
: F