NCAA Basketball: In-depth look at Towson Tigers star guard Nendah Tarke

Expectations for Nendah Tarke in 2023-24

Coppin State was a team who was never able to meet up with the expectations placed on them especially last season with two of the best players in the MEAC. That led to a coaching change and for Tarke to take his talent to Towson. The Tigers were a game away from the NCAA tournament last season. This season they are in a little bit of a rebuild but through the transfer portal they are going to have enough talent to compete in the Colonial. The Colonial is going to be a tough league as always but should be competitive and crowded at the top.

So where does Tarke fit in and what is a reasonable expectation for the guard at Towson?  Well, don’t expect him to be Nicolas Timberlake. It is reasonable to expect Tarke to find himself on a defensive team, and he even has a shot at the defensive player of the year in the Colonial. Tarke is going to be the go-to option for the Tigers and coach Skerry. He is athletic and experienced enough that the uptick in competition isn’t going to affect him. Tarke is going to still average double-digit points, throw in a few double-doubles, and play lockdown defense. All of that should lead him to finding his way on some of the all-conference teams and he is good enough to win Towson some games this season.

Towson is still going to be a team that should win 20 games. Many will look at the roster and see the inexperience, but I trust coach Skerry and the talent he assembled. It is going to be good enough to fight for an NCAA tournament appearance.

If Tarke has the year many expect him to and the transfers like Marcus Watson from North Carolina A&T and Messiah Jones from Wofford, play like they have been the rest of their college careers then the Tigers are going to be just fine. Tarke should take this team to where they want to go. Just because he played for Coppin State doesn’t mean he isn’t a star.