In the first week of the Binghamton men’s basketball team’s preseason practices this season, sophomore guard Justin McFadden suffered a minor concussion.
“I took a charge … in practice,” McFadden said. “That’s one of the things I do a lot. I guess one out of 200 [that I take], I get the fall wrong and my head hit the floor.”
Although unfortunate for the Bearcats, McFadden’s minor injury isn’t shocking. Last season, he missed Binghamton’s first exhibition game after breaking his nose during practice. The 6-foot-5-inch wing player is BU’s top defender and one of Binghamton’s most physical players.
Fortunately for the Bearcats, McFadden missed just a week of practice and will be looked to build upon his successful rookie campaign, where he spearhead Binghamton’s defensive efforts.
In his first year on the court for BU, McFadden was expected to provide depth for the Bearcats, coming off the bench to provide a spark of energy. But, after a spate of transfers and injuries, Binghamton head coach Tommy Dempsey began to rely heavily on the Philadelphia native, starting him in 23 of the Bearcats’ 30 contests.
McFadden’s defensive presence was immediately apparent, as he lead the team in fouls with an average of 3.2 per contest, was third in blocks (.5 per game) and tied for second on the squad in steals (.9 per game) with sophomore guard Romello Walker.
“[McFadden’s] versatility allows him to guard multiple positions,” Dempsey said. “Justin [McFadden] is a strong and physical player, who will be asked to do a lot for us defensively.”
As the season progressed, McFadden established himself as a key facet of Binghamton’s defensive game, often times drawing the assignment of guarding the opposing team’s best wing player. He also became more productive offensively as well.
Last season, he averaged 6.8 points per game and pulled down 3.6 boards. While these numbers may not be overwhelming, they were a welcomed addition from a player who carried the reputation of being solely a defensive specialist. Also impressive was McFadden’s ability from the free throw line, where he shot a team-best 74.1 percent.
Although he didn’t anticipate the shift in team composition or having a more prominent role, McFadden embraced the opportunity to aid his teammates.
“You have to deal with the adversity, but you still have to put out that product that you want to have a good team,” McFadden said. “We’re all together trying to put a good product out on the floor.”
At crucial moments late last season, McFadden was a mainstay on the floor, anchoring BU’s defense in a starting lineup that included four freshmen and a sophomore. This lineup — one of the youngest in all of Division I — was integral to Binghamton’s improved play toward the end of conference play and in its narrow loss to Stony Brook in the America East quarterfinals.
Mindful of the experience gained during his debut season, McFadden remains focused on translating his time on the court as a freshman into tangible developments this year.
“Experience does help us a lot, but we also need to recognize that we need to improve our skills and be ready to play,” McFadden said. “One year older doesn’t always mean one year better. We have to make sure we are concentrated on being a year better.”