Both head basketball coaches said they are pleased with the progress of the freshmen basketball players after their first week of collegiate practices.

Men’s head coach Karl Hobbs said he was particularly happy with the development of freshman guard T.J. Thompson, a 5-foot-10 point guard from Germantown, Md.

“I like what T.J.’s doing,” he said. “He’s very coachable, and he accepts criticism very well.”

Hobbs was also impressed by 6-foot-6 power forward Darrio Scott’s athleticism.

“Darrio Scott is a terrific athlete and has a great work ethic,” he said. “If we had to play a game today, physically he would be ready, and I’m very pleased with his progress.

“He’s a player that we’re going to ask to play a couple of different positions,” Hobbs added.

There are only 10 players on the current roster. Because of the team’s lack of depth and experience, Hobbs said he will ask his freshmen, Thompson, Scott, Tamal Forchion and Matija Debevec, to take on major responsibilities this season.

“These guys are freshmen, but I’m asking them to be sophomores,” he said.

On the women’s team, Liz Dancause, Kelly Wright, Anna Montanana, Greeba Outen Barlow and Tylon Harris, comprise a recruiting class ranked sixth-best in the nation. Head Coach Joe McKeown said he has been impressed by their ability to learn “the system,” but added they have struggled at times.

“I tell them all, ‘Nobody remembers what you did in high school now, it’s what you do in college,’” McKeown said. “To not be the best player on the floor is a difficult adjustment.”

Forward Liz Dancause said the mental challenge has been as great as the physical adjustment.

“In high school, we were the ones that led everyone else. Now, we’re having to learn all these little things that the upperclassmen already know,” Dancause said. “It’s only been the first week of practice, but I think slowly but surely it’s going to come together.”