There is no doubt that the Detroit Mercy men’s basketball team was hoping to have a better opening week, as they dropped both of their opening road games versus Big East opponents in lopsided fashion. First was a 93-32 decision to Marquette last Friday, then a 100-55 loss to Xavier on Tuesday.
The Titans are no strangers to slow starts, though. Last season, it took them until November 29th to find their first win against a Division I opponent. They started off 1-6 with their lone win coming against Cleary (NAIA) before that win over Niagara. Things certainly came together after that point, so a tough start such as the one they’ve had so far is no reason to panic.
Junior Tyler Spratt has led the Titans in the early going, notching eight points in each of the two losses, but what’s stood out is the abysmal 25.4 percent that they have shot from the field thus far. They also hold a –25 difference in the turnover margin so far.
Despite all of this, there is certainly a bright point worth mentioning. That would be freshman guard Greg Grays Jr.’s 14-point performance against the Musketeers in which Grays led the Titans in scoring, shooting 5-of-10 from the field and connecting on two three-pointers in 21 minutes of action. The hometown native is one to certainly keep an eye on, as he looked increasingly confortable in his second game at the collegiate level. He reflected on his first two collegiate contests after-the-fact:
“It was challenging and a good test,” Grays said. “There were a few opportunities that I could take advantage of and my teammates found me at the right time.”
The Brother Rice grad also spoke on what he hopes to see going forward.
“The details that the coaches are providing us has to be our main focus,” Grays said. “I’m hoping to continue going as hard as I can and shining in whatever role my team needs of me.”
There was one bottom line that echoed an unwavering confidence:
“We have to execute better and we will.”
Something else that’s noteworthy: freshmen Keaton Aldridge Jr., James Martin, Chance Houser, and Tyler Owens also recorded their first collegiate baskets during the contest against Xavier.
Up Next
The Titans will look to turn the page tomorrow when they return home to welcome the Toledo Rockets to Calihan Hall for their home opener. Toledo takes the short trip up I-75 for a tipoff scheduled for 4 p.m., with the game available on ESPN+.
Toledo enters the matchup with a 1-3 record after most recently having their own home opener spoiled by a different Horizon League foe, dropping an eight-point game against Wright State by a score of 76-68. Junior guard Mynor Strong has led the Rockets in the early going, averaging 16.8 points through the first four games, one of three Rockets averaging double digits so far.
After facing two tough Big East opponents on the road, returning to Calihan Hall could be just what the doctor ordered for this Detroit Mercy squad. After dropping their matchup versus Toledo in each of the past three seasons, we’ll see if they can get some revenge and get into the win column for the 26-27 season.
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