After that tough loss against the Namuwongo Blazers in the opening game of the season, the KIU Titans look like they have found themselves, with back to back victories.
The biggest revelation of the KIU Titans in the last 2 games has been the ease, simplicity, flair and finesse that they have showcased on offense.
New addition Kasereka Tembo showed us a glimpse of what goods he has in his bag against the Namuwongo Blazers in game 1 of the season, finishing with a team high 18 points but most importantly, announcing himself from the National Basketball League.
Tembo has the ability to easily beat defenders in 1v1 situations and he can easily draw fouls which makes him a big threat. He also showed that he’s not afraid to attack the basket despite not being as gifted height wise.
Joel Lukoji Banza already showed us how good his ball handling skills and Basketball 1Q is during the 2023 second round and the playoffs. He and Oilers, Fayed Baale were going up against each other in the finals and he hands down won that match up.
The poise he exhibits while on the ball is backed up by what he’s already done. Breaking ankles, leaving defenders on the floor, maneuvering through tight spaces and so much more. He’s surely a gift to Ugandan Basketball and whichever player is told to guard him gets a nightmare.
Ahmed Kassa who left the Titans for JKL Dolphins last season in search for play time returned home and he has started the started in spectacular fashion. He has been efficienct from the behind the arc with 7/13 in the last 2 games.
Mpiya Juf will be making a lot of highlights in the 2024 NBL. During the opener against Nam Blazers, he made 4 slam dunks, a number that wasn’t recorded by anyone in a single game the entire 2023 campaign.
The Titans have also been very fluid and almost flawless on offense in the last 2 games.
They registered a season high 26 assists against UCU Canons and they continued in the same spirit with 21 against Kampala Rockets.
When asked about the high number of assists they have registered, Coach Julius Lutwama said.
“It’s the song we’ve been singing for years, we are now starting to work within the rhythm we’ve been discussing day in day out”
He added, ” We’ve been saying assists make great teams. We don’t want to be good players, we want to be a great team”
“It’s quite exciting that our job is becoming easier when you have got 20+ assists” he concluded.
Ahmed Kassa commented on the team Chemistry that has helped them play better.
“The more we play together makes us look together. We share the ball and move faster, that’s how we are going to get these points easily. The more we pass the ball, we are going to get more points”
The Titans scored a 83 points against UCU Canons with 11 3-point shots made. This number could easily have been much higher due to the quick and accurate ball movement that the Titans have exhibited which allows them get many open shots.
The same was done against Kampala Rockets, same tactic, quick ball movement to catch the defense lurking and striking at the right moment.
The other thing that makes the Titans exciting and dangerous is the fact that they can hurt you in multiple ways. Edgar Munaba has elevated his game to a different stratosphere and he can hurt you from both inside the paint and from beyond.
Stanley Mugerwa has mastered the mid-range jump shot and when left unmarked for a second, he can easily pull up.
Mpiya Juf needs no introduction, with his height, he’ll be a force against any time both defensively and offensively when called upon.
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