By: Tyler Hodgson
Tryouts are finished, but not every roster is locked in as women’s Rebels basketball is noticeably short-handed.
If the season started tomorrow, they would have a roster of nine players, six short of the maximum allowance of 15.
The issue is the lack of substitutions. A nine-woman roster leaves four substitutions on the bench meaning at least one starter must remain on the floor, for the entirety of a game.
“Having a light roster is tough,” said Coach Buchi Mkanda. “It’s going to take a lot from [the players] mentally and physically.”
Aside from the lack of substitutions in games, the effect of not having a full roster will be felt in practice as well. While rest is the primary issue again, less bodies means fewer opportunity to run partner drills or have full team scrimmages.
Looking to the future, Mkanda worries what kind of tone will be set if the team can’t add more players.
“Everything we do is going to be history,” said Mkanda. “We want more people to be part of that history.”
Women’s basketball’s first game is Friday, November 6 vs. the Providence Pilots at 8 p.m. in the North Gym.
Anyone interested in joining the team can apply here.
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