[QUOTE]March 6 – George Washington at Charlotte. The Colonials hope a win here helps get them a bye in the A-10 tournament, but the Niners are quickly becoming a fierce rival. If Charlotte surprises, this game looms large and could get quite heated.[/QUOTE]
You can say that again! I am stilll disappointed that they are not one of our home-home opponents.
GW tabbed for 6th…
[b]A-10 PREVIEW – 6TH PLACEGEORGE WASHINGTON COLONIALS[/B]
Last year: 23-9 (11-5), 3rd place, A-10 regular season; A-10 Tournament champions; NCAA, 1st Round
INSTITUTION
George Washington University
Location: Washington, DC
Founded: 1821
Enrollment: 24,500
Affiliation: Private, coeducational, non-sectarian university
ARENA
Smith Center
Seats: 5,000
Average attendance last season: 3,403COACH
Karl Hobbs 7th year (7th overall)
Record at George Washington: 114-65 (114-65 overall; 63.7% winning percentage)ROSTER
1 Travis King SO PG 6-2 215 New Haven, CT/South Kent (CT) Prep
2 Xavier Alexander FR G/F 6-6 215 Forest Park, OK
4 Miles Beatty FR PG 6-2 210 Guttenberg, NJ/St. Anthony’s (NJ)
*5 Robert Diggs JR WF 6-8 202 Brandywine, MD
11 Wynton Witherspoon JR G/F 6-7 197 Duluth, GA/Virginia Tech
13 Jabari Edwards FR F 6-9 210 Brooklyn, NY/St. Benedict’s (NJ)
15 Cheyenne Moore JR WF 6-5 210 Baltimore, MD/South Kent (CT) Prep/Clemson
21 Hermann Opoku SO C/F 6-8 225 Vienna, Austria/South Kent (CT) Prep
22 Damian Hollis SO G/F 6-8 205 Fort Lauderdale, FL
31 Noel Wilmore JR WG 6-3 190 Chester, PA
*33 Maureece Rice SR G 6-1 224 Philadelphia, PA
42 Joseph Katuka FR C 6-10 220 Zaria, Nigeria/Montverde Academy (FL)*Returning starters
OVERVIEW
Karl Hobbs has rebuilt George Washington into one of the two best programs in the A-10. Over the past four years, the Colonials piled up 90 wins (22.5 average) and earned a school-record three straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament. The streak of postseason invitations stretches to four when an NIT bid in 2003-04 is included.
For all his success, the performance of Hobbs last season might have been his very best. Despite heavy graduation losses and a 5-5 start in conference play, a surprising GW won 23 games and seized the A-10 Tournament title.
Limited by a short bench, Hobbs did what most great coaches do. He adopted new tactics to fit his personnel. He toned down his trademark high-speed attack and turned the Colonials into a suffocating defensive team in the half court. GW could run teams off the court – or grind it out.
The challenge for Hobbs this season is very different. He’s restocked the roster with lots of long and athletic players, but the team is young and has about as much beef as a PETA dinner party. The team’s only good post player, Rob Diggs, barely weighs a dime over 200 pounds and just one key senior, Maureece Rice, returns.
Hobbs expects to rely on a pair of older ACC transfers, Cheyenne Moore and Wynton Witherspoon, to help Rice and Diggs on offense. Two talented sophomores, point guard Travis King and forward Damian Hollis, can also be counted on. Who else will contribute is far less certain.
“You wonder how soon can our players respond and who will step up,” Hobbs says.
If his track record is any indication, Hobbs won’t have to wait long to find out. He arguably does the best job of any coach in the A-10 at integrating newcomers into the lineup.
DEPARTED PLAYERS
Carl Elliott – Muscular 6-4 point guard, a Third Team All-League selection, helped carry GW back to the NCAA tournament. Earlier in the season, Elliott forced his offense too much (110 turnovers led the A-10) and his shooting suffered (27.4% 3PG, 40.6% overall). By refocusing on passing and defense, Elliott rediscovered his game and was terrific down the stretch. He was the second leading scorer (12.9 ppg) and tied for second in rebounds (5.0 rpg). Elliott also led the A-10 in steals (83, 2.6 spg) and finished second in assists (4.8 apg). His toughness, tenacity and leadership will be missed.
Regis Koundjia – LSU transfer never became a polished scorer (7.3 ppg, 45.7% FG) and his individual defense (105 fouls) was suspect, particularly against stronger post players. Yet Koundjia gave the Colonials solid boardwork (5 rpg) and occasional inside scoring. With long arms and great quickness, he was also a disruptive defender (44 steals) in GW’s press.
Dokun Akinbade – The Colonials’ starting center (7.3 ppg, 54.7 FG%) was one of the best walk-ons to grace an A-10 roster over the past decade even though he did not get a chance to play much until late in his career. Long and athletic, Akinbade provided solid post defense (24 blocks), interior passing and rebounding (5.6 rpg). It’s too bad he ran out of eligibility just as his game began to bloom.
RETURNING PLAYERS
Maureece Rice – One of the top talents in the league, Rice was named Most Outstanding Player after GW won the A-10 tournament championship. He was also voted Third Team All-Conference. Rice averaged almost 16 points a game and drained 43% of his 3-pointers, both career-high marks. He handed out 66 assists, made 43 steals and also rebounds well for a guard – he grabbed 10 boards in two different games.
What makes Rice so dangerous is an uncanny feel for the game and unusual poise under pressure. He enjoys the limelight and often comes through in the clutch. At well over 200 pounds, Rice also presents a physical mismatch for most defenders. He’s surprisingly quick for his size, handles the ball well and knows all the angles. His 3-point accuracy forces defenders to come up close, but the widebody guard is just as liable to step by them for a floater or layup. He can slide over to point if necessary and do a good job of both passing and scoring.
At times Rice will force shots, and that could be a problem in his senior season given the youth and inexperience of his teammates. Rice also played heavy minutes and he might have worn himself out after the three-day run in the A-10 tournament. In GW’s blowout loss to Vanderbilt in the NCAA tournament, Rice went 1-9 and only scored 3 points. His game doesn’t have many flaws, however, and Rice should be a candidate for First Team All-Conference consideration.
Robert Diggs – The springy 6-8 forward enjoyed a breakout season as a sophomore. His scoring rose to 10.5 points (from 1.7 ppg as a frosh). He averaged 5 rebounds. And he finished 4th in the A-10 in blocks (60). His performance is the biggest reason why GW was able to return to the Dance despite losing four key starters from the year before.
Although Diggs is thin, he’s extremely athletic, with long arms and nice footwork. He excels on the break and is a surprisingly good back-to-the-basket scorer, using his quickness and leaping ability to go over or around bigger defenders. He hit 54% of his shots and often finished with an emphatic dunk. If he improves as much as a junior as he did as a sophomore, Digs is sure to earn a spot on the league All-Conference teams.
What might retard his progress is the daily pounding Diggs absorbs. Playing out of position, he was forced to battle with the bruisers all game long because he was the best “bigman” on the Colonials. He often committed fouls when opponents outmuscled him for position down low, and by season’s end, Diggs seemed to tire. He was removed from the starting lineup and only scored a combined 11 points in the last three games.
Over the summer Diggs reportedly added some muscle but he still doesn’t weigh more than 210 pounds, not nearly enough to withstand the pounding inside. In his third year, Diggs might be more effective if he can extend his offense out to 15 feet, and he needs to get some help inside from Opoku or the incoming freshmen. Instead of manning the middle, Diggs is better as a help defender blocking shots from the weak side.
Damian Hollis – The 6-8 sophomore (5.2 ppg, 3 rpg, 50.4% FG) has a similar build to Diggs, but his game is more perimeter oriented. Hollis hit 22-50 treys (44%) as a freshman and gave the team a spark off the bench. Somewhat wild early on, he played sparingly in the first half of the season. His breakout came in a win over Charlotte in mid-January, when Hollis scored 13 points, grabbed 6 boards, blocked 3 shots and tallied 3 assists. He also knocked down four 3-pointers vs. St. Joseph’s and racked up 18 points and 12 boards in a win over Duquesne. Hollis became a mainstay in the rotation by early February, averaging 25 minutes in the final 10 games.
Skilled and athletic, Hollis can be expected to build upon a promising debut and he clearly has All-Conference potential. His outside shooting will prevent opponents from concentrating too much on Rice and keep defenses spread out. Not only can he shoot, Hollis is a good passer from the high post and he knows his way around the basket. Hobbs wants him to help Diggs out down low and score inside. Hollis is able and willing.
Travis King – The heir apparent at point guard fractured a knee cap and was not expected to practice until early November. Like Elliott, King (7.3 ppg) is atypically big and strong for a point guard and has good quickness for his size. A natural floor leader, he runs the fastbreak efficiently and likes to draw and dish (78 assists). If left open, King will also let it fly. He doesn’t look like a great shooter, but by being selective, he hit 41.7% of his 3-pointers (25-60). King defense isn’t shabby, either. He is a dogged on-the-ball defender and gets lots of steals (47) in the Colonials press. If healthy, the sophomore should be one of the best point guards in the A-10 by next March. King might not have a flair for the dramatic like his predecessor, but he’s a talented and dependable player.
Cheyenne Moore – Clemson transfer suffered a stress fracture in his left leg before the season and never fully recovered. Moore played sporadically in 16 games (4.3 ppg) and was only able to show glimpses of what he can do. He’s a high-riser who flies on the break, but Moore also complements his raw athleticism with nifty passing and good shooting (9-24, 37.5%). A fully healthy Moore would also appear to fit perfectly with GW’s pressing, high-pressure defense. The redshirt junior will be counted on for much larger contributions in the upcoming season, but some patience is in order. Moore has barely played in two years and likely has some rust.
Noel Wilmore – Recruited as a shooter, Wilmore (2.9 ppg) has yet to find a role. He saw extended time early in the season, but his minutes (9.6 mpg) waned. Although Wilmore hit 33% of his treys (20-60), the rest of his game is suspect. He’s not as athletic as a typical Hobbs recruit, lacks versatility on offense and is a spotty defender. Wilmore reportedly worked hard over the summer and he’ll have to show improvement in all facets to earn more time. Competition for minutes on the wing will be fierce, but Hobbs could use a reliable shooter to pair up with Rice, especially when King is on the bench.
Hermann Opoku – Raw second-year forward sat out the first 10 games of his freshman year because of NCAA-related sanctions, but he might as well have missed the entire season. He only hit a single basket and played just 26 minutes. So what does Hobbs see in Opoku? He has crazy athleticism and tremendous length. Opoku might also be GW’s strongest frontcourt defender after a summer of weight-lifting. With some time he could turn out to be a useful rebounder and defender, and that’s all Hobbs needs from the center position. As for his offense, forget about it. Opoku’s post skills are as rough as cheap sandpaper. A few stickbacks is all he’s likely to get.
NEWCOMERS
Wynton Witherspoon – The 6-7 transfer from Virginia Tech is thin but wiry strong with a knack for scoring. Before he left the Hokies, Witherspoon was emerging as a serious threat despite hobbling foot injuries. Now fully healed, the junior forward is expected to supply punch and experience for a young frontline. He’s a good if streaky shooter who likes to play on the perimeter, but he also finds a way to score inside. Witherspoon uses a long wingspan, quick reaction and good hops to slip in shots before defenders respond. Two years ago, he scored a career-high 19 points in a loss to Florida State, and he tallied 17 points vs. North Carolina. Witherspoon is also a good ball-handler for his size, a useful weapon when GW is pressing opponents or getting pressed in return. He can bring the ball up the court or convert steals into fastbreaks.
Xavier Alexander – Xavier is arguably a better athlete than former Charlotte swingman D’Angelo Alexander, but he lacks his brother’s deep range. Xavier does his best work closer in. He runs the floor, finishes on the break and is a decent shooter out to 15 feet. At 6-5 and 215 pounds, Alexander also has the size to rebound and score in traffic. As a freshman, Alexander will have to compete with Hollis, Moore and Witherspoon for minutes. Since Hobbs likes to play lots of players, Alexander is sure to get an opportunity.
Miles Beatty – Highly regarded combo guard is a solid shooter and ball-handler and an above-average defender. Beatty should get spot minutes as a freshman, but Hobbs will start Travis King (if healthy) at point and Mo Rice can also chip in. Expect to see more of Beatty as the season wears on. Hobbs rides his ball-handlers hard and they have to truly earn their time.
Jabari Edwards – Forget about his listed state of birth (New York). The latest in a long line of similarly molded GW forwards comes straight out of the Hobbs Recruit Factory: skinny, all arms and legs, crazy leaping ability. Edwards is not polished offensively, but he’s a great athlete who gets up and down the floor and could eventually become a defensive anchor. At barely over 200 pounds, however, it will take some work to mold Edwards into a primetime Atlantic 10 performer.
Joseph Katuka – Hobbs evidently has a factory in Africa, too. The Nigerian native, who’s taller than Edwards, is another prototype GW recruit. He’s got great hops and long arms and could turn into a good rebounder and shotblocker. As a result he drew interest from lots of major programs (rejecting Miami in favor of GW.) Naturally his low-post game is suspect – rarely do polished bigmen find their way to the A-10 – and he does not have as much experience as U.S. players his own age. Most of his baskets come in transition or during the scruff after missed shots. Yet a near-7 footer with athleticism is impossible for any A-10 school to pass up. Unlike most GW bigmen, he’s also got some meat on his bones. His heft could earn him the nod as starting center.
SCOUTING REPORT
GW has enough long and athletic players to resume its all-out attack and full-court press. Given their lack of muscle upfront, the Colonials may have little choice. Diggs, Hollis and Witherspoon can all play inside and beat defenders with quickness, but they are not cut out to bang down low all game long.
The lack of power players will hurt on defense as well. GW could get beaten up by bigger frontlines such as Duquesne and St. Joseph’s. The Colonials have to rely on speed and athleticism to overcome that deficiency. They’ve done it before. They can do it again.
The starting backcourt is in good hands. Rice, who can play either position, is a big-game performer and one of the top 3-point shooters in the league. King is one of the best young point guards in the A-10. Both are also good rebounding guards – a bonus on a team with such slender frontcourt players. (Strangely four of GW’s five heaviest players are guards.)
The biggest unknown is the bench. Moore could be a topflight player if he finds his grove right away. Yet Wilmore and Opuko have not carved out regular roles and the four freshmen are unlikely to burst out of the gates quickly.
Hobbs has to find a few contributors among the bunch, with special emphasis on shooting and rebounding. Other players have to knock down the trey to relieve the pressure on Rice and create space inside for quick forwards Diggs and Hollis to work. Better boardwork is also a must after the graduation of GW’s top three rebounders.
PREDICTION
The Colonials certainly won’t lack for confidence. Hobbs has established a winning program in which players expect to succeed. The carryover of all GW’s success was evident in last year’s stunning A-10 championship run.
Of course, winning programs also need good players, but Hobbs also has that base covered. He has six veterans who’ve shown they can score at the A-10 level. Two of them, Moore and Witherspoon, have had some success in the ACC. Another pair, Hollis and Diggs, could be the best bookend forwards in the league. Nor does it hurt that Hobbs can turn to one of best players in the East when GW needs a big basket. Mo Rice is synonymous with clutch.
To help his veterans out, Hobbs has padded his roster with loads of length and athleticism possibly unmatched in the A-10. Once again he has the numbers to play the style he prefers. The Colonials will press teams relentlessly and run up the score when they can.
All the athleticism will help win some games against better opponents, but the team’s inexperience could also results in losses to teams GW should beat. And the Colonials literally have a skeleton crew in the paint. Apparitions of problems past – lackluster half-court offense, inadequate rebounding and poor post defense – might haunt GW again.
While the Colonials have enough talent to spook most A-10 teams, they are not ready to rise again to the very top of the league.
Record: 16-10 (9-7), 6th place
Predicted Noncon Wins and Losses
W – MOUNT ST. MARY’S
W – BOSTON UNIVERSITY
W – At UM Baltimore County
L – At UCLA
L – AUBURN (Verizon Center)
W – MD EASTERN SHORE
W – At Virginia Tech
W – At Binghamton
W – LONGWOOD
L – At AlabamaI see GW going 7-3 in noncon games. I’ve already commented on GW’s inexplicable decision to sked a mere 10 noncon games when 13 are allowed. Nuff said. Of these games, six look like sure wins: Mt. St Mary’s, BU, UMBC, MD Eastern Shore, Binghamton and Longwood.
The toughest test of this bunch almost certainly will be BU, a very well coached team that will slow the game down and try to force GW to grind it out. The Terriers have some good guards and shooters. I think BU plays three or four A-10 teams this year, and I would not be surprised if they win at least one of them.
At UCLA looks like a sure loss. The Bruins are loaded and have a great coach. GW can beat Auburn, and the game is basically at home in the Verizon Center, where the Colonials have traditionally sprung upsets. Auburn is supposed to be good, though, so I concede the loss to be conservative. My surprise “upset” is at Virginia Tech. These two schools now have some bad blood, but Tech is very young and I think Rice carries GW to victory on the road. Alabama is beatable, especially with PG Ronald Steele redshirting, but the game is on the road and the Tide has just as much length and athleticism as GW, plus more muscle.
I think GW needs to win all the gimmes and beat two of the BCS teams to have a shot at returning to the NCAA tournament, barring an A-10 tourney title. It would also have to do better than 9-7 in A-10 play. I could see GW winning as many as 11 in league games. I slot them at 6th based on the unbalanced league sked. It’s really a tossup, though, and I could see GW finishing as high as third or fourth.
Link: A-10 PREVIEW - 6th PLACE
Fordham takes 5th…
[b]A-10 PREVIEW – 5TH PLACEFORDHAM RAMS[/b]
Last year: 18-12 (10-6), 5th placeINSTITUTION
Fordham University
Location: New York, NY
Founded: 1841
Enrollment: 16,000
Affiliation: Private co-educational universityARENA
Rose Hill Gym
Seats: 3,200
Average attendance last season: 2,375COACH
Dereck Whittenburg, 5th year (9th overall)
Record at Fordham: 53-66 (120-116 overall; 50.8% winning percentage)ROSTER
*1 Marcus Stout SR WG 6-4 195 Southfield, MI
4 Herb Tanner SO WG 6-4 165 Boston, MA/Stoneridge (MA) Prep
5 David Boykin SO G 6-3 180 White Plains, NY
10 Dan Landisch SO 6-6 215 Milwaukee, WI
*14 Kevin Anderson SR PG 6-3 185 Westerville, OH/Hargrave Military (VA)
*21 Michael Binns SR PF 6-7 225 Aurora, IL/Brewster Academy (NH)
23 Mike Moore FR G 6-5 190 New Haven, CT
24 Brenton Butler SO PG 6-2 180 Norcross, GA
*30 Sebastian Greene SR WF 6-8 188 Germany/Lafayette, IN
*42 Bryant Dunston JR C-F 6-8 233 Lefrak City, NY
44 Luke Devine JR C 6-10 239 Wakefield, RI/Hargrave Military (VA)
50 Chris Bethel JR F 6-5 210 Bronx, NY*Returning starters
OVERVIEW
The Rams have been building toward this moment for five years. Under the guidance of Dereck Whittenburg, the program has increased its win total from 6 to 13 to 15 to 18. The next step is 20 wins and the school’s first postseason invitation since Fordham joined the A-10 in 1996.
This is the year Fordham has to take that next step.
The Rams are the most veteran bunch in the league. Fordham returns five seniors, including two preseason All-Conference players in Byrant Dunston and Marcus Stout. Dunston is one of the top four bigmen in the A-10 and Stout is one of league’s best shooting guards. The other three seniors have been starters for most of their careers on Rose Hill.
What Whittenburg needs is more help from a supporting cast that’s mostly played the role of spectator. Rising sophomore guard Brenton Butler, a good shooter, will have a big part, but the coach has to find another player or two. Fordham was short of quality depth last year, especially in the frontcourt, and sometimes the Rams struggled to score. Six players accounted for 85% of the minutes played.
All the experience of Fordham’s senior class cannot compensate for a thin bench. It’ll take more than the starting five and Butler to capture an A-10 title or even a postseason invitation.
DEPARTED PLAYERS
Dominic Osei – Whittenburg’s first recruit to Fordham, Osei (0.9 ppg, 1.3 rpg) saw little playing in his final two seasons. Though energetic and athletic, the 6-5 forward did not shoot well (career 29%) and was too small to be a factor inside.
Demetrius Phillips – Springy but raw 6-9 sophomore from Baltimore did not develop fast enough and only played in seven games. Phillips transferred after the season.
RETURNING PLAYERS
Bryant Dunston – The 6-8 senior, who seemed destined for the NBA after a brilliant freshman season, has not dominated the league like many expected. Dunston struggled early on in each of the past two seasons. Although he shot 54.5% last year, Dunston hit just 44% of his attempts in nonconference play. Teams with big frontlines gave him the most trouble, but he was also frustrated by constant double teams. It’s no coincidence. Fordham doesn’t have another decent bigman to take the pressure off Dunston, as was the case when he was a freshman. He’s a lone ranger down low and the failure of Whittenburg to land a complementary frontcourt player looms as a great “what-if.”
Even without his own Tonto, Dunston is still one of the best players in the A-10. The Second Team All-Conference forward can score in the paint or along the baseline and is a surprisingly effective 3-pointer shooter when left wide open. He’s also one of the best rebounders and shotblockers in the league. What Dunston cannot afford is another slow start, especially if the Rams want to position themselves for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. He has to play with great urgency and efficiency – and avoid early foul trouble. Dunston sat on the bench far too much in the first half of games. Maybe Dunston is not a superstar, but he’s certainly good enough to lead Fordham back to the postseason.
Marcus Stout – Three-year veteran, who led the team in scoring, is one of the better wing guards in the league (15.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.6 apg, 49 steals). Last year Stout grew into a more composed player. He forced fewer shots, turned the ball over less and took fewer gambles on defense. He’s a good shooter ( 37.8% 3PG) when he has time to spot up, usually after a kick-out from Kevin Anderson or Brenton Butler, but he’s also learned to employ headfakes and quick dribbles to get open. In the crunch, Stout can also get some tough buckets inside, using his strength and 6-4 frame to ward off defenders.
When Dunston was in a funk, Stout was usually the player to lead the Rams. What’s especially helped his game was the presence of Butler, the talented sophomore. Butler attracted enough attention to give Stout more space. As a senior, he’ll benefit even more from the maturation of Butler and the team’s other second-year guards. He needs to have a big year to help propel the Rams to the top of the A-10 standings.
Brenton Butler – The All-Newcomer selection was a revelation. In just his second game, the sweet-shooting Butler scored 20 points vs. Tennessee to put the rest of the A-10 on notice. He reached double figures in 13 games, topping out at 28 points vs. Duquesne and 22 in a season-ending loss to Rhode Island. In more than a few instances, Butler (9.5 ppg, 43% 3PG) was the best player on the floor.
The son of a former NFL cornerback, Butler plays with uncommon confidence and maturity. He moves well without the ball and knows where he’s supposed to be on the floor. Although he benefited from the defensive attention paid to Dunston and Stout, Butler also looked aggressively for his shot and was not afraid to drive to the basket. He’s a very crafty player.
Where Butler could use improvement is in running the team (56 assists, 56 turnovers). He’s a good ball-handler and put in some time at point, but he seemed more comfortable on the wing. At times Fordham will need to substitute Kevin Anderson out to get more scoring on the floor. Whittenburg has to have confidence that Butler can animate the sometimes-lifeless Fordham offense with skills other than his shooting.
Kevin Anderson – The 6-3 senior has hung on to the starting point position for three years even though he’s an offensive eunuch (career 17% 3PG). That’s not going to change in Anderson’s final year. He’ll just do what he does best: run the team, take care of the ball and defend. Unlike most players, Anderson knows his limits and rarely tries to exceed them. He’s a sound if not especially creative decision maker and makes crisp passes. He finished fifth in assists (4.0 apg) and second in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.37).
Anderson’s disappearance act as a shooter (3.7 ppg), however, limits Whittenburg’s options. The coach cannot put another nonscorer on the floor at the same time, particularly a bigman such as Luke Devine, to relieve Dunston of the dirty work inside. Ideally one of the three sophomore guards will step into the role as backup point, but none came close to supplanting Anderson. He still played 28 minutes a game. There are better point guards in the league, but Anderson is good enough to do the job when he’s surrounded by talented players. He won’t make many mistakes or let the man he defends score easily.
Sebastian Greene – The 6-8 senior (9.5 ppg, 49% FG) is an enigma. He doesn’t look like much of an athlete or seem particularly skilled; nor is he a player opponents fear. Yet Greene is actually a great athlete who does lots of things well (5.4 rpg, 2.2 apg) and he might hold the key to whether the Rams vie for their first A-10 championship. How so? Greene is Whittenburg’s most reliable frontcourt partner for Dunston and he’s the team’s best defender (36 steals, 19 blocks.)
On offense, Greene is in constant motion. He often swoops in for stickbacks after Dunston misses and he can post up smaller or slower defenders. Always a reluctant scorer, Greene for the first time in his career actually began to look for his shot. He even showed some aggressive moves to the hoop. Greene is not a great outside shooter (24.5% 3PG) and he doesn’t have to become a big scorer, but the Rams do need a steady supply of offense.
When the other team has the ball, Greene usually covers its most dangerous scorer. He’s even guarded effectively some of the smaller points in the league such as Drew Lavender. He’s light on his feet and has quick hands. If he wins any award, All-Defensive Team is the most likely.
Michael Binns – After three years at Fordham, the 6-8 Binns has yet to discover his on-court identity. He’s not a beast in the paint or a rebounder deluxe (3.6 rpg), and his attempt to become a perimeter threat has met with limited success (33.4% career 3PG). As a junior, he played fewer minutes (19.7 mpg vs. 23 mpg) and his production in most categories fell off.
The failure of Binns to improve is a great mystery. He’s big and strong, quick for his size, and in possession of enough skill to be a quality starter. At this late stage of his career, however, the odds of Binns delivering a breakout season are not high. It’s happened before in the A-10, but rarely. Whittenburg will take what he can get, but the Rams would be so much better if Binns was, too.
Chris Bethel – Third-year small forward (4.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 44% FG) is facing a make-or-break season. Bethel is a good scorer who can do damage inside or out, but he does not perform with consistency or give the kind of effort Whittenburg demands on defense. He committed countless silly fouls and at times even seemed to forget his assignments. By the end of the season, he barely got off the bench and only averaged 9 minutes a game.
A strong 6-5, Bethel has shown the ability to get some tough buckets in the paint. He’s also a decent outside shooter and can take defenders off the dribble. In 22 minutes vs. St. Louis, he scored 16 points and pulled down 6 boards. He also scored 11 points in 23 minutes in a loss at Charlotte. What Bethel has not done so far is put his total game together day in and day out. Unless he does, his playing time is not going to rise. The Rams need his offense, but not his lackluster approach to other parts of the game.
David Boykin – Thin as a sheet of paper, the 6-3 combo guard was not physically ready as a freshman to be a significant contributor. Boykin had trouble finishing plays (0.9 ppg, 26% FG) or sticking to his man on defense. With more work in the weightroom, he’s got potential to develop into a solid player. Boykin looks to have a nice shot, a decent handle and good court awareness. Whether he has the goods to become a future starter, however, is far from certain.
Herb Tanner – The 6-3 sharpshooter from Boston did not join the team until after the first semester. He was thrown right into the fire, but never really warmed up. Tanner was often out of control in limited minutes, struggled with his shot (2.5 ppg, 28% FG) and looked every bit the jittery freshman .
Tanner also showed moments of promise, though. He’s the most athletic of the three sophomore guards, with long arms and quick feet. He’s got the ability to dribble-penetrate and is an alert passer. Tanner also played with lots of energy at both ends of the floor. After a full year in the program, he should be better prepared to earn a spot in the regular rotation. The Rams need another guard and shooter to add to their mix. Whittenburg hopes Tanner or Boykin can fill that role.
Luke Devine – Little-used 6-10 center has played just 117 minutes in two seasons, but he might get on the floor more as a junior. He saw plenty of time when the Rams went on a preseason trip to Bermuda because Dunston was injured. Devine plays hard and knows his role. He’s yet to score an actual basket in two years, so don’t expect any offense. But he can rebound a bit and seems like an intelligent if limited defender in the middle.
Dan Landisch – The 6-6 sophomore played sparingly (4 games) and is still an unknown quantity. He’s a good all-round athlete with some range on his shot, but he’ll have trouble taking minutes away from Binns and Bethel.
NEWCOMERS
Mike Moore – One of the top prepsters in Connecticut, Moore is a versatile player who does a bit of everything. He’s a decent ball-handler and passer, but can also get into the lane or knock down the trey. At just 190 pounds, though, Moore needs to add muscle to his 6-5 frame. He’s unlikely to see much time on a deep and experienced squad.
SCOUTING REPORT
Fordham is already one of the best defensive teams in the league. The Rams have older, more physically mature players who’ve been through the league wars. The shotblocking Dunston is also a nice backstop on whom teammates can rely. He just has to stay out of early foul trouble.
The Rams still have several big weaknesses to address. Fordham was the gang that couldn’t shoot straight, finishing second to last in points scored (65.5 ppg) and 12th in field goal percentage (43.6 FG). Anderson’s inability to shoot is one culprit, as is the inconsistency of Binns. Points might be a little easier to come by if Butler continues to improve and Bethel or Tanner lend a hand, but the Rams are not going to turn into an offensive juggernaut.
Rebounding is another key concern. The Ram were outrebounded by 2.7 boards a game, the only team in the A-10 to post a negative margin but still achieve a winning record. Dunston is a terrific rebounder, but he doesn’t get much help. The lack of adequate frontcourt reserves is a big part of the problem. Whittenburg hopes to get a few more minutes a game from Devine. Just don’t expect Big Luke to turn into a Windex wiper.
Because the Rams are expected to be good, the league hasn’t done Fordham any favors. The school has to play Temple, Charlotte and Duquesne twice, and all three figure to be very competitive in 2007-08. Fordham played a softer lineup last season in the league’s imbalanced schedule – racking up four wins against Duquesne and St. Bonaventure – on the way to 10 victories for the first time in A-10 conference play.
PREDICTION
With Dunston manning the middle and Stout and Butler knocking down treys, the Rams have a good nucleus of scorers. Anderson is steady at point and Greene is a solid complementary player at small forward. A seasoned Fordham squad also has the toughness and defensive ability to win on the road.
Depth is a major concern, especially when Dunston gets in foul trouble. The Rams have little size or proven firepower on the bench. Poor rebounding is another problem that has to get fixed. Rarely do teams that lose the battle of the boards finish near the top of league standings. Better performances from upperclassmen Binns and Bethel would go a long way in addressing all of these problems.
It’s also important that Fordham start fast. The Rams struggled in the nonconference portion of the schedule during the past two seasons. A similarly rough start would doom any hopes of an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.
Although Fordham is no Cinderella, getting the NCAA glass slipper to fit these days is more difficult than ever, even for a pretty good team. Fordham has enough talent and experience to get to 20 wins and obtain an NIT invitation, but it’s not quite tailor-made to go Dancing.
If Whittenburg can dress up a few shortcomings, though, the experienced Rams might end up in the Big Ball even if they don’t win the league tournament outright.
17-10 (9-7), 5th place
Predicted Noncon Wins and Losses
W – At Columbia
L – At Missouri
L – At Syracuse
W – COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
W – At Manhattan
W – ROBERT MORRIS
W – HOFSTRA
W – NJ INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
W - UNC-GREENSBORO
W – BINGHAMTON
L – At GeorgetownI have the Rams finishing 8-3 in nonconference play. If Fordham somehow beats a more talented but much younger Syracuse team in the dome – not impossible by any stretch - the Rams could end up with another game or two. To be an A-10 contender, I think the Rams have to win every home game and take NYC rival Manhattan on its homecourt. They should be favored in all of them because Fordham is better. The Rams also have to pull off an upset or two. Fordham doesn’t have a signature win over a BCS team during the Whittenburg era, aside from a victory at Virginia two years ago when Leitao was just getting the depleted program back on its feet. Missouri is more athletic but younger. Beatable, but the Rams have to go out and prove it. Knocking off Gtown in DC looks like a bridge too far, however, unless they catch the Hoyas napping.
I slot Fordham 5th because of head-to-head with my No. 4 team. This Rams team, however, could really come together and win as many as 12 or 13 conference games with better performances from the bench. I don’t think the Rams have more sheer talent than many A-10 teams, but they have experience that almost no amount of recruiting can offset.
Link: A-10 PREVIEW - 5th PLACE
WH sees the Dukes rising to 4th…
[b]A-10 PREVIEW – 4TH PLACEDUQUESNE DUKES[/b]
Last year: 10-19 (6-10), 10th placeINSTITUTION
Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Founded: 1878
Enrollment: 10,000
Affiliation: Private Catholic co-educational universityARENA
A.J. Palumbo Center
Seats: 6,200.
Average attendance last year: 2,097 (up from 1,529)COACH
Ron Everhart, 2nd year (14th overall)
Record at Duquesne: 10-19 (184-191 overall; 49.1% winning percentage)ROSTER
*1 Aaron Jackson JR G 6-4 180 Hartford, Conn./Worcester (MA) Academy
*2 Kieron Achara SR F/C 6-10 240 Scotland, Maine Central Institute
*3 Reggie Jackson SR PG 5-10 170 Hogansville, GA/Southern Union CC (AL)
4 Jimmy Sherwood SO G 6-2 190 Sharon, MA/Cushing Academy (MA)
5 David Theis FR F 6-8 215 Pittsburgh, PA/Mercersburg ¶ Prep
13 Jason Duty SO G 6-0 170 Cranberry Township, PA
20 Phillip Fayne JR G 6-3 220 Carbondale, IL/Southwestern Illinois College
21 Shawn James JR F/C 6-10 225 Brooklyn, NY/Notre Dame (MA) Prep/Northeastern
22 Gary Tucker SR G 6-1 185 Pensacola, FL/Southern Union College (AL)
30 Bill Clark FR G/F 6-5 205 Redondo Beach, CA/Oak Hill (VA)/Worcester (MA) Academy
31 Stephen Wood SO WG 6-4 185 Queens, NY
32 Damian Saunders FR 6-7 205 Waterbury, CT/Notre Dame Prep (MA)
33Kojo Mensah JR G 6-1 180 Brooklyn, NY/Notre Dame (MA) Prep/Siena
55 Lucas Newton SO G 5-9 165 Weston, FL/Westminster Academy (FL)*Returning starters
OVERVIEW
The Dukes were the feel-good story of the year in college basketball. Short of size and depth after several players were nearly killed in an on-campus shooting, the young squad rallied under new coach Ron Everhart. The school shocked Boston College on the road and in one amazing midseason stretch, the Dukes defeated traditional A-10 powers Dayton, Temple and Xavier in consecutive games. Duquesne won six conference games, up from just one the year before.
The euphoria partly wore off after a tired Dukes squad lost its final eight contests. The afterglow further dimmed with the sudden transfer of leading scorer Robert Mitchell and the arrest on drug charges of Stuard Baldonado, one of the players wounded in the shooting. He was removed from the team in September.
The good feelings haven’t entirely gone away, however. For the first time in years, fans began to return in droves to witness what they hope is the long-anticipated rebound in the program’s fortunes. Despite a patchy off-season, the Dukes bring back a solid core of veterans and add a pair of highly acclaimed transfers, one of whom is a near-certain NBA draft pick.
“We’ve gone from having one of the most inexperienced teams in the country to having, legitimately, an experienced team,” the coach told AP.
Everhart, the master rebuilder, looks like he’s making quick work of his third restoration project. And Dukes fans hope they can party like it’s 1994 – the last time the team achieved a winning record and went to a postseason.
“I hate to put expectations on anybody, but Duquesne definitely is a team that can win our league tournament,” Massachusetts coach Travis Ford said.
DEPARTED PLAYERS
Robert Mitchell – Reigning A-10 Rookie of the Year pulled a shocker by transferring to Seton Hall a few days before school started. A gifted 6-6 athlete, Mitchell also surprised the league last year with his scoring prowess. He led the team with 16.4 points a game – 8th in the A-10 – and averaged 5.4 boards. Mitchell scored every which way: slithery post moves, short pull-ups, long jumpers (40% 3PG). Behind the scenes, however, Mitchell caused more than a few problems for teammates and coaches. He was not a disciplined player in practice or games and his concentration on defense was lacking. It’s also unlikely he would been such a focal point on offense again. The Dukes have more talent and depth than last year and plan to spread the ball around. Still, his departure hurts, questionable attitude notwithstanding.
Scott Grote – Another talented 6-6 swingman, Grote (9.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 63 assists) transferred after his freshman year. Citing personal issues, he moved closer to his home in Ohio to play for Wright State, where his father was an All-American. In one season at Duquesne, the gritty Grote hit some big shots, including several late baskets to lead the Dukes to a huge upset win at BC. He was a good if streaky shooter (32% 3PG) and never backed down even when physically overmatched. Had he stayed, his role would have diminished, but he still would have been a valuable reserve.
Almamy Thiero – The 6-9 transfer from Memphis ended his career the way it began: hobbled by injuries. Once a top-rated recruit, Thiero was a bit player in his only season at Duquesne. He played in just the first 15 games, averaging 2.4 points (36.2% FG) and 3.3 boards.
RETURNING PLAYERS
Kieron Achara – Talk about perseverance. The gangly 6-10 bigman started the year on the bench with a foot broken in multiple places. He finished the season on the A-10’s All-Defensive team. Now Achara – who’s endured 82 losses in four years – hopes to end his fifth and final year at Duquesne on a winning note. He’ll get lots of help from transfers Shawn James and Kojo Mensah. Always a team player, the Scottish-born Achara might even take a backseat to the program’s celebrated arrivals.
Whatever the case, opponents surely won’t forget Achara’s presence in the paint. He’s improved his quickness and footwork after losing weight and compensates for lack of explosiveness with good positioning and timing He scored 15.8 points a game on 51.8% shooting, finishing second in the A-10 in blocked shots (2.57 bpg) and fifth in rebounding (7.3 rpg). With James aboard, Achara might even venture more outside. He hit 17 three-pointers last season and showed good form in the process.
A healthy Achara and James are the keys to Duquesne’s success. The two bigmen form the most potent frontcourt duo in the A-10, much like last year’s UMass tandem of Stephane Lasme and Rashaun Freeman. Both players can block shots – and shoot treys. As long as they don’t fall in love with their jumpers, the Dukes will be tough to handle in the paint.
Aaron Jackson – Underappreciated junior guard (11.0 ppg) is also a team player who will do whatever it takes to win. Tough and physical, he’s a leader on the court, plays with great heart and determination and is not afraid to challenge teammates. Neither a pure point nor an outstanding shooter (31% 3PG), Jackson can play both backcourt positions and contribute in a number of ways. With the ball in his hands, Jackson likes to push it hard (3.8 apg), but he’ll reset the offense if he can’t find a crevice in the defense. If the offense sputters, he is willing to take and make big shots. When the Dukes need a board, Jackson (5 rpg) is sneaky quick, especially on the offensive glass (66 rebounds, best among A-10 guards). He’s also a good defender, with quick hands (40 steals). Jackson might not be the most talented guard in the A-10, but he’s hard to keep off the floor. Last year he played a team-leading 31 minutes a game.
Phillip Fayne – Strong 6-3 swingman (5.6 ppg) is a decent shooter (38.2% FG, 37% 3PG) and above-average passer (37 assists). Even at 220 pounds, Fayne has ample quickness and athleticism to defend his position against most opponents. In the off-season, he reportedly improved his handle and shooting in hopes of an expanded role. Fayne should be a key contributor off the bench and he might even find himself starting a small forward.
Stephen Wood – New York native started off well as a freshman, got sick and then was lost in the ever-shuffling Duquesne lineup. A big scorer in high school, Wood misfired badly (4 ppg, 25.8% 3PG) on most long-range attempts, struggled to finish plays and turned the ball over too much. Yet the long-limbed Wood showed plenty of athleticism and potential at both ends of the court. His defense was probably the best part of his game. He’s long and rangy and has a quick first step. As he matures, Wood might rediscover his scoring ability, but the Dukes don’t need much offense from him now.
Gary Tucker – The most freakishly athletic guard in the A-10 was a human highlight reel. The 6-1 Tucker skied for thunderous ally-oop dunks and was a menace in the open floor, particularly when the Dukes pressed. After a slow start, he scored in double figures in 11 of the final 15 games, including a season high 17 in an upset win over Xavier. Tucker (7.3 ppg) shot more than 55% from the field during that stretch, compared to 31.5% in the first half of the season.
Unless he improves his jumper (27% 3PG), however, Tucker cannot be counted on to score in double digits every game. He relies on an attacking, slashing style to produce points, but defenders will start to lay off him until he shoots consistently. Nor will he get as many touches with Mensah handling the ball and Achara and James getting fed in the post. Although Tucker still has an important role to play, it will continue to evolve.
Reggie Jackson – Small but quick point guard (7.4 ppg, 85% FT) took care of primary ball-handling duties, allowing Aaron Jackson to roam at both ends of the court. Reggie Jackson is more of a caretaker than a creative lead guard. He doesn’t attack the rim much in half-court sets and is not an adept finisher. Instead he gets the ball to the shooters (3.4 apg), sometimes drawing away defenders with a few hard dribbles toward the rim.
Although Jackson was a good shooter in the juco ranks (53% 3PG), he did not come close to replicating that success at Duquesne (32.5% 3PG). Now that he’s more comfortable in Division 1 ball and has Achara and James to pull away defenders, Jackson might be able to knock down treys more regularly. If he can do that, Everhart might be able to play the two Jacksons and Mensah as part of a quick three-guard backcourt. Even if he doesn’t, though, Reggie Jackson will still play a valuable role in a deep Dukes backcourt. He doesn’t turn the ball over much, controls the pace and is a disruptive defender, especially when the speed of the game accelerates.
Jason Duty –A recruited walk-on, the Pittsburgh-area native gave the Dukes a lift in a handful of games and received valuable court time. He played 15 minutes a game and averaged 3.4 points, including 13 points in a win over Dayton. He shot just 30% from behind the arc, but Duty is a good shooter and cannot be left open. In a more crowded backcourt, though, he probably won’t receive many minutes.
Jimmy Sherwood – The Massachusetts native, another recruited walk-on, has greater potential to become a rotation regular. Sherwood is bigger and more athletic than Duty and he also shot better (11-19, 57.9% 3PG). He scored 15 vs. LaSalle (5 treys) and 13 against Charlotte. At the very least, he provides good insurance in case of injury.
NEWCOMERS
Shawn James – The 6-10 transfer from Northeastern is a terrific talent – think a taller Stephane Lasme. A late bloomer, James followed coach Ron Everhart to Duquesne for a chance to shine at a higher level. He is a potential NBA prospect, with a rapidly improving offense and superior defensive skills. Two years ago, James swatted 196 shots, the second highest single-season total in college history. He also set an NCAA record by averaging 6.53 blocks a game. He’s long and quick, with great anticipation, and the leading contender for A-10 Defensive Player of the Year. “James is the best shot-blocker in college basketball,” said Fordham coach Dereck Whitteburg.
Blocking shots is not all he does. James scored 12.4 points a game, averaged 8 boards, dished out 44 assists, hit 77% of his free throws – and knocked down 24 treys to boot (37%). In his first two years, he recorded four triple-doubles to tie Jason Kidd for the NCAA record. James is not superman, of course. He gets in foul trouble regularly. He’s not especially physical. And his low-post game is still developing. But he’s got Player-of-the-Year talent when he puts his whole game together.
Kojo Mensah – Siena transfer is a versatile talent and impact player. Two years ago, he scored 23 points with 7 assists in a close loss at Massachusetts and is well known among A-10 coaches. “He’s a secret because he doesn’t have the name Shawn does, but Mensah will be a difference-maker in this league," Ford of UMass said.
Though not a great outside shooter, Mensah can score (16.3 ppg) in a variety of ways and set up teammates too (3.8 apg). Mensah is also an excellent rebounder (6.3 rpg) for a guard and a harassing defender. “He can play both guard positions, and he’s really a lockdown defender in addition to a playmaker,” Everhart told the Pittsburgh Tribune.
The biggest flaw in Mensah’s game is lack of range and occasional recklessness. He attacks the rims with abandon but sometimes makes poor decisions. If Mensah quickly rounds into form, he’ll become part of a potent wing attack along with the two Jacksons. Mensah led the team in scoring (19.3 ppg) during Duquesne’s four-game preseason trip to Canada and supposedly has improved his jumper.
Bill Clark – Tough 6-5 swingman is supposed to be an excellent shooter and good rebounder. Clark got looks from several Big East schools before signing with Duquesne. “When he gets it going, he can hit seven or eight 3-pointers in a game. He stretches defenses,” Clark’s prep coach, Ed Reilly of Worcester Academy, told the Post-Gazette. “Bill is a terrific package of skill and athleticism. He’s a tremendous, tremendous rebounder. When he goes up and gets it with two hands, nobody takes it from him."
David Theis – The 6-7, 220-pound native of western Pennsylvania attended prep school for a year to recover after sustaining a severe knee injury. Theis is supposed to be a good shooter and rebounder, hitting seven 3-pointers in one game last year and six in another. He also gives the Dukes more size inside. Temple and Richmond apparently took a close look, as did a handful of midmajor schools.
Damian Saunders – Highly recruited 6-8 forward, who originally signed with Marquette, enrolled at Duquesne after the Big East school denied admittance. Saunders joins his former prep coach, Bill Barton, now an assistant at Duquesne. “He is an explosive run and jump athlete,” Barton said. “He is effortless in transition and a very good rebounder. I think his freshman-year impact will be on the defensive end and in transition.”
Lucas Newton – Smallish guard from Florida, who originally committed to the school two years ago, is a waterbug-type of player. He’s quick and aggressive and likes to hound opposing ball carriers up and down the court. He adds to Duquesne’s depth at point.
SCOUTING REPORT
Throw away last season’s tapes because the Dukes will sport a very different look. In Everhart’s first year, he was forced to adopt a helter-skelter attack to overcome the team’s lack of size. Everhart now has the best pair of frontcourt players in the league. It would be a crime to stick with the same approach.
To be sure, the Dukes will play fast and score plenty of points, both hallmarks of Everhart’s teams. They’ve got great athletes who excel in transition and a new point guard, transfer Kojo Mensah, who likes to push the pace and attack the basket.
The presence of Sean James and Kieron Achara, however, also gives the Dukes a potent inside attack in a half-court game. Neither player is a classic low-post threat, but both can score down low. Opponents will find Duquesne’s “twin towers” difficult to defend.
What’s more, James is the best shotblocker in the country, and Achara is not too shabby, either. It would play to Duquesne’s advantage to slow the game down just enough to funnel opposing players into its shotblocking tandem. Between those two alone, they could swat 250 shots and Duquesne could even surpass the league record of 273 blocks set by Massachusetts in 1995. The presence of James and Achara will also allow the Dukes’ fleet of quick guards to pressure the ball far from the basket.
As a result, don’t expect Duquesne to allow opponents to shoot 50.7%, like they did one year ago. The school easily finished last in the league in field-goal percentage defense. Nor will the Dukes get outrebounded again by 5.7 boards a game, the second worst margin in the A-10. A healthy James will make sure of that.
“I expect [us] to be better because we’re deeper and we shouldn’t face some of the limitations we had last year, like rebounding the ball and stopping people,’ Everhart told the Post-Gazette.
So what could go wrong? Well, outside shooting is suspect. The Dukes hit just 33.1% of their 3-pointers – last in the A-10 – but the two top outside shooters have since left the program. No one on the roster shot better than 37% from the arc. Unless the Dukes do better, the bigmen won’t find much breathing room inside.
The departures of Mitchell and Grote, meanwhile, left a hole at small forward. Clark and Saunders could fill the bill, but they are still freshmen. Fayne has the muscle, but he’s better suited to come off the bench. The best bet might be a three-guard lineup. Aaron Jackson rebounds like a small forward and his quickness would pose matchup problems for other teams
The Dukes also have to jell quickly as a team – no easy feat. There’s lot of new players and some returnees may have to accept lesser roles. The camaraderie spawned by last year’s shooting should smooth over some of those potential conflicts, but players still want to play. Unless they check their egos at the door, Everhart may find it hard to mold a winner.
PREDICTION
The Dukes have three of the best players in the league in James, Achara and Mensah and they are backed by a solid supporting cast, led by the tough-minded Aaron Jackson. All the ingredients appear to be here for a run at the A-10 title and a postseason bid – ideas wildly inconceivable just one year ago.
“I think people don’t understand how good they are,” Whittenburg said. “You have to bring your ‘A’ game to compete against those guys.”
What will also help is the league’s most favorable conference schedule. The Dukes play St. Bonaventure. LaSalle and Fordham twice, with single games at home vs. George Washington, Massachusetts, St. Joseph’s and St. Louis.
If Everhart finds a few shooters and gets his team to mesh before league play, the Dukes stand a legitimate chance in the race for the A-10 crown.
The suddenly heightened expectations, however, also means heightened pressure. The program can expect more scrutiny than its faced in years. How the players and coaches handle that pressure will determine whether the Dukes live up to the expectations.
Even if they handle pressure well, though, the Dukes won’t necessarily handle the very best the A-10 has to offer. It’s hard to see the Dukes finishing at the top of the heap over teams whose players have been together longer. Great chemistry is rarely an overnight concoction.
Record: 19-10 (10-6), 4th Place
Predicted Noncon Wins and Losses
W – HOWARD
W – WINSTON-SALEM STATE
L = At Rice
W – At Oakland
W – NIAGARA
W – Cal State Northridge (Des Moines, Iowa)
L – Drake or NC Central (Des Moines, Iowa)
L – PITTSBURGH
L – At West Virginia
W – SAINT FRANCIS ¶
W – ROBERT MORRIS
W - USC UPSTATE
W – At Bowling GreenTaking what I think is a moderately conservative approach, I predict the Dukes will finish with a 8-4 noncon record, even though the school should do no worse than 9-3 or 10-2.
Duquesne has lots of home games vs. eminently beatable foes, including Howard, Winston-Salem State and USC-Upstate (both new Division 1 programs), St. Francis ¶ and Robert Morris. That’s five wins. Niagara doesn’t have its most talented team, but it’s well coached and a loss is conceivable. If James and Co. are as good I think they are, however, this should be a blowout at home. While I think Duquesne should be better than Rice and Oakland, I figure they lose one or even both of these road games. If they win both, that’s a great sign.
At the tournament in Iowa, Duquesne is easily the most talented team, but Drake would be playing at home if the two schools met in the final as I expect. I call it a loss to be conservative even though I fully expect a win. And there is no way the Dukes should lose to Cal State. The Dukes are also better than the latest edition of Toledo, which is in a bit of a rebuilding year, but MAC teams tend to be tough at home.
The most difficult stretch are the two games vs. Pitt at home and West Virginia on the road. I think Duquesne can win one of these games, but Pitt is plenty talented and Morgantown is a tough place to get a victory. It will be fun to see old friends Huggins and Everhart go at it. Mr. defense and rebounding vs. Mr. High Octane offense.
Link: A-10 PREVIEW - 4th PLACE
[QUOTE]is a waterbug-type of player[/QUOTE]
What does this mean? I’ve seen it before, but never gotten the analogy.
Another solid write-up by WH. I don’t doubt Duquesne’s roster, but going from 10-19 to top 4 and 20+ wins is a big turnaround. I think they may hit some unexpected bumps, especially in certain stretches of conference play.
That non-conference schedule is flat out soft. They badly need to play for 10 wins, minimum, if we want the league to improve its standing.
What does this mean? I've seen it before, but never gotten the analogy.Another solid write-up by WH. I don’t doubt Duquesne’s roster, but going from 10-19 to top 4 and 20+ wins is a big turnaround. I think they may hit some unexpected bumps, especially in certain stretches of conference play.
That non-conference schedule is flat out soft. They badly need to play for 10 wins, minimum, if we want the league to improve its standing.
have you never seen waterbugs on the surface of a creek or pond? they go from point A to point B in a millisecond.
there is no freaking way Duquesne is 6 places better than us.
[QUOTE=metro;264755]there is no freaking way Duquesne is 6 places better than us.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, who would have thought the likes of Duquesne and Fordham would surpass the Niners in men’s hoops when we joined the A-10? Wow!
WH likes Martelli & Co. for 3rd…
[b]A-10 PREVIEW – 3rd PLACESAINT JOSEPH’S HAWKS[/b]
Last year: 18-14 (9-7), 6th PlaceINSTITUTION
Saint Joseph’s University
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Founded: 1851
Enrollment: 7,950
Affiliation: Private Catholic co-educational universityARENA
Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse
Seats: 3,200
Average attendance last season: 4,245 (includes games at Palestra)COACH
Phil Martelli, 13th year (13th overall)
Record at St. Joseph’s: 240-139 (240-139 overall; 63.3% winning percentage)ROSTER
0 Tasheed Carr JR G/F 6-4 209 Philadelphia, PA/Mt. Zion (NC)/Iowa State
2 D.J. Rivera SO G 6-2 182 Philadelphia, PA
11 Charoy Bentley FR G 6-0 170 West Haven, CT
*12 Pat Calathes SR G/F 6-10 210 Casselberry, FL
*13 Darrin Govens SO G 6-1 175 Chester, PA
*15 Garrett Williamson SO G/F 6-5 176 Merion, PA
22 Edwin Lashley JR WG 6-4 197 Salisbury, MD/St. Thomas More (CT)
32 Idris Hilliard FR F 6-7 205 Roselle, NJ/The Hun School (NJ)
*34 Ahmad Nivins JR F/C 6-9 235 Jersey City, NJ
40 Rockwell Moody SO PF 6-9 228 Washington, DC
41 Arvydas Lidzius SR F 6-9 205 Lithuania/Montrose Christian (MD)
*52 Rob Ferguson SR F 6-8 230 Ft. Myers, FL*Returning starters
OVERVIEW
Until a late-season swoon, the Hawks hovered near the top of the league standings even though coach Phil Martelli had to rely on a quartet of freshmen to man the backcourt. All the time invested in the young guards, however, should pay off this season as St. Joseph’s aims to reclaim its spot among the A-10 elite.
Leading the way is the best and biggest – though not the deepest - frontline in the league. High-scoring center Ahmad Nivins is an NBA prospect who can dominate a game, while versatile senior forwards Rob Ferguson and Pat Calathes can do a bit of everything.
The young guards are also ready to take the next step – and they’ll get a key assist from a Big 12 transfer.
With better balance between the frontcourt and backcourt, Martelli appears to have a team designed to challenge for another A-10 title. Give the best coach in the A-10 enough cloth and he’ll fashion a winner.
“We know Saint Joe’s hasn’t won the Atlantic 10 for a long time and we want to change that,” star bigman Nivins says.
For that to happen, Martelli still has a few wrinkles to iron out. The latest edition of the Hawks doesn’t defend or shoot outside as well as the coach would like. And depth in the backcourt is especially thin after the transfer of one sophomore guard and the academic difficulties of another.
DEPARTED PLAYERS
Jawan Carter – Point guard left after one season to join former St. Joe’s assistant coach Monte Ross at Delaware. Regarded as the top recruit in last year’s vaunted class, Carter (7.4 ppg, 2.4 apg) had an up-and-down freshman campaign. A big scorer in the prep ranks, he struggled for consistency (36.8% FG, 35.5% FG), and turned the ball over too much for Martelli’s taste (78 assists to 70 giveways). Nor was Carter, a good but not great athlete, as defensively inclined as his classmates. While Carter’s loss is a blow, St. Joe’s still has talent in the backcourt.
Alvin Mofunanya – Sophomore forward (0.6 ppg, 0.7 rpg) transferred in search of more time. Though big and strong, Mofunanya struggled in Martelli’s system. His offense acquired very little polish and he did not have great hands (14 turnovers, zero assists, in just 79 minutes all season).
Artur Surov – Huge 7-foot center from Finland was a deep reserve all four years.
RETURNING PLAYERS
Rob Ferguson – The fifth-year senior seemed to hit a plateau last season and it’s hard to imagine he’ll get much better. That would be okay with Martelli. Ferguson still averaged 11.2 points and 5.2 rebounds while knocking down 43.5% of his 3-point shots (40-92). Maybe he doesn’t scare opponents or take over games, but he’s as steady as the turtle who beat the hare.
Ferguson’s game is about deliberation. He doesn’t force his shots or rush his decisions any more. He can post up a bit, shoot the trey and make the obvious pass. He even tries hard to guard his man (29 steals, 30 blocks), though Ferguson has never been viewed as a defensive stalwart. He’s not quick enough or strong enough to lock opponents down. “There comes a point when you are what you are,” Martelli says. “He’s a solid all-around player.
Pat Calathes – The 6-10 swingman delivered in a big way as a junior after two seasons of erratic play. Calathes scored almost 14 points a game, averaged 7.1 rebounds, finished seventh in the A-10 in assists (3.6 apg) and blocked 28 shots. He also raised his 3-point percentage to 41.7% from 34% the year before and hit 85% of his free throws. Little wonder Calathes was voted Second Team All Conference. He would be a great choice on a Fantasy team chosen from A-10 players.
The true value of Calathes lies in his ability to create mismatches. He’s got the size to clear the defensive boards, the ball-handling ability to dribble from end to end and the skill to finish the break with a pass or shot. Nobody else his size in the A-10 can do all of those things.
If there’s one major knock on Calathes, he still makes some dumb decisions. He was one of only two players in the A-10 to commit more than 100 turnovers (the other was GW’s Carl Elliott). Unlike Ferguson, Calathes is anything but calm. He’s aggressive and headstrong and constantly testing the patience of his coach. Martelli shakes his head so much that it sometimes seems ready to twist off like a bottle cap. With a little more deliberation and a lot fewer turnovers, Calathes could be a First Teamer. He won’t be expected to handle the ball quite as much now that the Hawks have a more experienced backcourt. But look out when he gets a rebound. There’s no telling what he might do.
Ahmad Nivins – The 6-9 center, selected to the A-10 First Team as a sophomore, is the best bigman in the A-10. Taller and more athletic than Fordham’s Bryant Dunston, Nivins shoots easily over most opponents when he gets the ball on the low blocks and he has a pillow-soft touch (league-leading 63% FG). Nivins (16.2 ppg) can beat defenders with short face-up jumpers, back them down or take a two-step dribble and flush. He scored 20 or more points in eight games, highlighted by a 28-point eruption vs. Rhode Island. Nivins also snatched 7.4 boards a game and was one of the best offensive rebounders in the A-10.
Now that the league has woken up to this monster in its midst, Nivins can expect to see double teams almost every game. If that’s the case, he has to improve his passing. He recorded a measly 11 assists compared to 81 turnovers, barely better than the 8 assists he handed out as a freshman. Nivins can also play much better defense. A player of his outstanding talent and athleticism should pose a constant obstacle down low and block more than one shot a game. He swatted just 32 shots, down from 39 the year before, when he played 425 fewer minutes. Nivins is trying to avoid fouls, but opponents should not be allowed to waltz down the lane.
Darrin Govens – The 6-1 point guard was slowed by several injuries, but he emerged as the best of St. Joe’s four freshman guards by season end. Govens turned the ball over less, shot more accurately (40% 3PG) and played better defense than Jawan Carter. He’s also a better scorer (7.3 ppg) than the defensive-minded D.J Rivera and Garrett Williamson.
Just don’t expect fireworks from Govens. He is a very good athlete, but not a wizard with the ball who cracks defenses like an expert hacker. He makes sound decisions and gets the ball to the shooters (67 assists), looking to penetrate if he sees an obvious gap. He’s not a great shooter on the move, but Govens is accurate when he gets his feet set. Martelli wants more good decision making and timely shooting from his starting pointman. The Hawks have a terrific frontline and simply need the guards to manage the game, hit open shots and buckle down on defense. If Martelli wants more scoring from his backcourt players, Iowa State transfer Tasheed Carr is the most likely one to provide it.
D.J. Rivera – The 6-2 combo guard has to sit out the first semester to concentrate on academics and is hoping to return before the start of A-10 play. The Hawks sure could use Rivera. He is a fierce defender (team-leading 41 steals) who contributes in ways that stat sheets cannot measure. Rivera (5.9 ppg) plays with great energy and aggressiveness and never backs down. Though not a natural shooter (29.7% 3PG), he’s extremely athletic and uses his quickness and leaping ability to score in transition or off missed shots. A decent ball-handler, he’s also not afraid to attack the rim and challenge bigger defenders. If he hones his jumper, Rivera could be a terrific player, but even if he doesn’t, he brings a set of skills and toughness that any team would welcome.
Rockwell Moody – The 6-9 power forward playing sparingly and did not hit a single basket all year. Moody certainly has enough size and athleticism to contribute in the A-10, but given how little he played, it’s fair to assume that he’s not destined for, well, big things. A little rebounding, shotblocking and post defense – it’s about all that should be expected. The only question is whether Moody does those things in practices or in games.
Garrett Williamson – A late signee, the 6-4 Williamson (5.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 45% FG) impressed with his savvy, defense and all-round game. He’s not a great shooter (4-23 3PG), but Williamson has a knack for the ball and is a decent finisher around the rim. He’s also a surprisingly good ball-handler and passer (62 assists) who can bring the ball up against a press and even play point in a pinch.
Like Rivera, Williamson’s forte is defense (31 steals, 16 blocks). He has quick feet, long arms and good anticipation. He can defend forwards and guards and is fast enough to stay with almost anyone. What he lacked as a freshman was enough muscle to handle stronger players. A spindly 176 pounds last year, Williamson was often overpowered and committed a team-high 95 fouls. A summer in the weightroom appears to have addressed that problem. Whether Williamson also improved his jumper remains to be seen. By Martelli’s own admission, the Hawks need more outside shooting. Extra minutes are there for whoever can provide it, though Williamson is going to play no matter what.
Edwin Lashley – Junior guard was considered a great shooter in high school, but Hawks fans would never know it. Lashley has only played 104 minutes in two years. He’s not a great athlete and struggles with defense. Even when he gets into the game, Lashley has done little to earn more time. He’s only hit 8 of 27 shots (29.6%) and doesn’t excel in any other area. The Hawks still need outside shooters, so Lashley will get another chance. Yet it’s rare for a little-used junior in the A-10 to suddenly emerge as a frontline player.
Arvydas Lidzius – Senior forward gets a few minutes here and but has limited skills. He plays hard and gives the Hawks toughness upfront.
NEWCOMERS
Tasheed Carr – Transfer from Iowa State, a Philadelphia native, is a rugged athlete who plays with aggression. Carr is expected to bring experience, leadership and toughness to a team that sometimes was deficient in all three areas. As a freshman, Carr once scored 22 points – including 13 in overtime – and grabbed 13 boards in a win over Texas. The biggest knock on Carr is inconsistent shooting. He spent the past season working on his jumper and could give the Hawks a huge lift if he adds an improved shot. He’s also expected to play some point even though he’s not a natural floor leader. Carr has to play well for the Hawks to vie for the league championship.
Idris Hilliard – Highly rated tweener got close looks from the Big East and some ACC schools. The 6-6 Hilliard is not big enough to play inside consistently and doesn’t shoot well enough from the wing, but he’s a live body with a nose for rebounds and can shoot accurately out to 12 feet. Hilliard is expected to contribute immediately with his energetic play around the rim.
Charoy Bentley – Named Mr. Basketball in Connecticut in 2007, the 6-0 combo guard with deep range was a big scorer in the prep ranks (25 ppg ). He’s also a solid ball-handler and passer and can run the point. Bentley was not recruited heavily, but he has A-10 level athleticism and skills. The Hawks signed him late to improve their depth and add more shooting.
SCOUTING REPORT
The offense rightly revolves around Nivins, the best low-post scorer in the league. He’s the big reason why St. Joe’s shot 46% from the floor (3rd in the A-10). The Hawks might do even better if Nivins learns how to find open teammates when the double teams come.
Ferguson and Calathes are tough to guard, too. Ferguson quietly scores in double digits every game and Calathes is a one-man fastbreak who causes mismatches for every defense. He just needs to get a grip. The Hawks finished with a -1.81 turnover margin (11th in the A-10) in large part because of Calathes’ 96 turnovers.
The young guards also accounted for plenty of turnovers as freshmen, but the experience they gained should lead to better decision making.
Like last year, defense and outside shooting are areas in which the Hawks can improve. Ferguson and Calathes have never been great defenders and Nivins sometimes shrinks from contact to avoid foul trouble. There’s no reason they can’t do a better job. The Hawks allowed opponents to shoot 44%, far too high for a half-court team aspiring to win the A-10.
On the wing, it’s a different story. Rivera and Williamson both have lockdown potential and Carr is a tough defender as well. They just have to supply some offense. St. Joe’s hit the third fewest number of 3-pointers in the A-10, allowing defenders to collapse on Nivins down low. The sophomore Govens is the best shooter, but he has to concentrate on running the offense first.
PREDICTION
St. Joe’s has a championship-caliber frontcourt. The same cannot be said of the backcourt. The guards still have a lot to prove. The Hawks only have one legitimate point guard on the roster, but Govens still has to learn the finer points of running a team. And perimeter shooting remains a source of concern while the possibility of Rivera being lost for the season is another worry.
The older and more experienced Carr is the X-factor. He’s had some big games against topflight competition. He can defend forwards and guards and he loves to attack the basket. The Hawks have lacked a player with his toughness and aggressiveness since Delonte West left for the NBA.
St. Joe’s should be one of the favorites in the A-10, especially with Martelli at the wheel. Yet the frontcourt doesn’t have any proven reserves to spare and the Hawks could get in big trouble when Nivins gets in foul trouble.
It may also be too much to expect the young guards to negotiate every hairpin curve. They’ll go off course just enough to deny the Hawks a league title, but probably not enough to prevent St. Joe’s from reaching postseason play for the seventh time in eight years.
Record: 20-9 (11-5), 3rd place
Predicted Noncon Wins and Losses
W – FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON (Syracuse)
L – At Syracuse/Siena Winner (Syracuse)
W – At Boston University
W – BALL STATE
L – GONZAGA
W – PENN STATE (Palestra)
W – HOLY CROSS
W – At Creighton
W – At Fairfield
L – At Siena
W – At Drexel (Palestra)
W- At Penn (Palestra)
L – VILLANOVA (Palestra)I predict the Hawks finish 9-4 in a difficult noncon schedule. St. Joe’s has a chance to beat a very young Cuse team in the dome, but I figure the Orangemen use athleticism and numbers to wear the Hawks down. BU on the road won’t be easy, either. The Hawks played them twice last season and the Terriers are quite familiar with them.
Gonzaga will draw a great crowd, but I go conservative and give the edge to the Zags backcourt. Joe’s should have beaten Penn State last year on the road. This time the Hawks do the job at home. The Cross is good again, and big across the frontline, but I give the edge to the home team. At Creighton, the Hawks use their experience to overtake a talented but young Bluejays squad. Fairfield is not as talented and should be an easy win. I can see the Hawks getting upset in the last of three away games at Siena, which is a tough place to play. St. Joe’s comes back and takes down Drexel in a close one and beats a Penn program that lost a ton of experience. Although the Hawks can and should beat Nova, I go conservative again and call it a loss.
Link: A-10 PREVIEW - 3rd PLACE
Rhody is runnerup…
[b]A-10 PREVIEW – 2nd PLACERHODE ISLAND RAMS[/b]
Last year: 19-14 (10-6), 4th PlaceINSTITUTION:
University of Rhode Island
Location: Kingston, RI
Founded: 1888
Enrollment: 19,095
Affiliation: Public universityARENA:
Ryan Center
Seats: 7,657
Average attendance last season: 4,486COACH
Jim Baron, 7th year (21th overall)
Record at Rhode Island: 87-95 (293-297 overall; 49.7% winning percentage)ROSTER
1 Joe Mbang SR PF 6-7 235 Cameroon/Monroe CC (NY)
5 Marquis Jones FR PG 6-1 200Guard S. Plainfield, NJ/St. Thomas More (CT)
*14 Parfait Bitee SR WG 6-2 190 Cameroon/Louisville, KY
15 Lamonte Ulmer SO F 6-6 205 Hamden, CT/Notre Dame (MA)
*20 Jimmy Baron JR WG 6-2 195 East Greenwich, RI/Worcester (MA) Academy
21 Delroy James FR F 6-7 200 Brooklyn, NY/Laurinburg (NC) Prep
22 Keith Cothran SO WG 6-4 190 Winchendon, MA/Winchendon Academy (MA)
23 Hakim McCullar FR 6-7 220 F Cincinnati, OH/Maine Central Institute
*25 Will Daniels SR WF 6-8 225 Hyde Park, NY
32 Will Martell FR C 6-11 230 Rumson, NJ/The Hun School (NJ)
*33 Kahiem Seawright JR PF 6-8 235 Uniondale, NY
54 Jason Francis JR C/F 6-9 280 Old Harbor, Jamaica/Southeastern Illinois JC*Returning starters
OVERVIEW
Jim Baron has gone from the hot seat to the driver’s seat.
That’s Jim Baron, the coach. And his son, Jim Baron Jr., is a big reason why dad can keep his eyes on the road and his hands upon the wheel of the URI program.
Picked in preseason to finish near the bottom of the league, URI was the big surprise last year in the A-10. Led by the sharpshooting of Baron Jr. and scintillating all-round play of forward Will Daniels, the Rams rebounded from two straight disappointing seasons to reach the A-10 Tournament final. This season URI is expected to contend for the league title.
For now, all those fans who were calling for Baron Sr.’s scalp have quieted down – much like hostile crowds when Jr. drops another trey. Baron Sr. has certainly earned the reprieve. He took a group of young players without much size and turned them into contenders almost overnight. Baron Sr. junked a physical, grind-it-out style and adapted a full-court attack to suit his roster of athletes and slashers.
Rarely has an A-10 team undergone such a quick and successful makeover.
Hold the applause, though. Greater success results in higher expectations and more pressure, but some of Baron’s URI teams have stumbled out of the gate. If that happens again, the boobirds will be back, and rightly so. This URI team is too good for that to happen.
DEPARTED PLAYERS
Darrell Harris – Thin 6-10 forward recovered from a disastrous junior season to become a solid reserve (6.6 ppg, 48.7% FG). Even though Harris preferred to play on the perimeter, he gave it the old college try down low. He swatted 23 shots – second on the team – and averaged 3.7 boards. For all his gamesmanship, though, Harris was not strong enough to defend bigger opponents and he committed lots of cheap fouls.
Jon Lucky – Once the point guard of the future, Lucky was the subject of repeated misfortune, some of his own doing. The big 6-5 point guard missed most of last season after yet another injury that evidently has sidelined him for good. Last year, the resurgent Rams did not miss a beat in his absence.
Terrance Grier – Aggressive 6-0 wing guard was a harassing defender in URI’s uptempo attack, but he was a poor shooter and shaky decision maker with the ball in his hands. He transferred in search of more playing time.
Jonathan Cruz – Hustling 6-7 power forward (1.5 ppg, 1. rpg, 50% FG) actually started seven games and showed skills complementary to his more gifted teammates before an injury knocked him out of the lineup. What Cruz failed to show was the sort of talent to separate himself from similarly sized players on the roster (Mbang, Seawwright, Ulmer). He also transferred.
RETURNING PLAYERS
Will Daniels – Athletic 6-8 small forward delivered a virtuoso performance as a junior to earn a place on the Atlantic 10 First Team. Suddenly the most experienced player on URI, Daniels stepped up to shoulder the load of the team’s No. 1 option (17.4 ppg, up from 11 ppg). He scored 20 points or more in 11 games and failed to reach double figures only three times. A triple threat on offense, Daniels can score inside, outside (41.8% 3PG) or off the dribble. Bigger defenders cannot guard him on the perimeter and he’ll take advantage of smaller foes inside. He also improved as a passer and did a better job finding teammates when he was double teamed (51 assists).
In his final year, Daniels still has considerable room for improvement. He turned the ball over 79 times – easily a career high – and sometimes rushed his shots on the road or in late-game situations. At times he also appeared to fall in love with the trey. What’s more, his rebounding and defense, while solid enough (5.6 rpg, 27 steals, 19 blocks) barely improved. For a player with his length and quickness, Daniels should be just as good on defense as he is on offense.
Assuming he makes the normal progression as a senior, Daniels should end up back on the Atlantic 10 First team – after he leads the Rams to the postseason for the first time since four years.
Jimmy Baron – The coach’s son, arguably one of the best pure shooters in America, expanded his game as a sophomore and was voted honorable mention All Conference. Baron is a deadly accurate from deep (47.8% 3PG, tops in the league) and almost automatic from the free-throw line (89%). He hit eight 3-pointers in one game, five treys each in five games and four longballs in six other games. Only once did Baron fail to hit a 3-pointer, a late February loss to Fordham.
In his second season, Baron (14.6 ppg) attacked the basket more often to get to the line and created more scoring opportunities for teammates (2 apg). He’ll never be a breakdown artist, but his shooting wizardry forces defenders to overcommit and gives Baron room to operate. The Rams particularly like to get him the ball in late-game situations when they have the lead. Rarely does he miss freebies when the game is on the line. On the flip side, Baron will never be a great defender, but he is smart and energetic, sharing the qualities that made his father a good college player.
With Baron keeping defenses honest, URI’s array of slashers and undersized postmen will have more space and time to attack the basket. Much of the Rams’ surprising success last year can be attributed to the ability of Baron and Daniels to draw double-teams and create opportunities for teammates. They are one of the best one-two scoring tandems in the league.
Parfait Bitee – The Rams’ starting point guard by default, Bitee (7.2 ppg, 3.2 apg, 3.2 rpg) has worked hard to turn himself into a solid ball-handler and distributor. Although blessed with great quickness, Bitee is not very creative and doesn’t finish well. He doesn’t look to penetrate much unless he finds himself in a mismatch. Generally he makes solid decisions and gets the ball to the right spots. He’s also one of the best on-the-ball defenders in the league, more than making up for his mediocre offensive output. Bitee is not a gambler and stays in front of his man, relying on quick feet and hands to cut off avenues to the basket. Rarely does he give up an uncontested shot.
The Rams can expect more of the same from Bitee as a senior. He’s very mature and is not going to cost URI any games with his decision making. What would help is if Bitee improved his shot. He only hit 37% of his shots and just 30% of his treys, down from 46% and 36.8% as a sophomore. Yet Bitee did improve his free-throw shooting to 83% from 68%, another reason why URI could be tough to beat in close games.
Kahiem Seawright – The 6-8 power forward made a huge leap in his second season, raising his scoring to 11.3 points (from 4.4 ppg) and his rebounding to 7.5 boards (from 3.5 rpg). He also shot much better from the free-throw line (70%) and is a good interior passer (59 assists).
While a very good athlete, Seawright is not as explosive as Daniels. He fights hard for position, never lets up and has a nose for the ball. In a loss to Houston he grabbed 19 boards, the highest individual total in the A-10 last year. Seawright is especially ferocious on the offensive glass (105, most among returning A-10 players) and scores many of his baskets off missed shots. He’s not a bad face-up shooter out to 15 feet, either.
On defense, Seawright is often matched against bigger opponents, but he usually does a good job to keep them away from the basket. The best inside players are going to score on Seawright, but he doesn’t make it easy. And because of players like him, Baron’s A-10 programs at St. Bonaventure and Rhode Island have often been near the top of the league in team rebounding. The hard-working Seawright is good enough to vie for a spot on the league’s All-Conference teams if the Rams finish near the top of the A-10. He’s every bit as important to URI’s success as Daniels and Baron.
Keith Cothran – Rising sophomore (6.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.4 apg) has a chance to be a lockdown defender. He’s ultra-quick, has long arms and great anticipation. When he makes a steal (team-leading 37), the result is usually a transition basket. He goes from one end to the other in a nanosecond.
Cothran’s offense is not as polished, though. He’s not a good outside shooter (4-23, 17.4% 3PG) and doesn’t have a staple move. Since few defenders can match him athletically, Cothran mostly tries to take them off the dribble. Smarter foes learned to lay off him and funnel Cothran into the help defense in hopes of causing a turnover, but he actually has good vision and can hurt opponents with his passing (55 assists).
The next step is for Cothran to improve his decision making and 3-point shot. He’s still a largely unharnessed talent, but he can have such an influence on the game that Baron rushed him into the rotation even though Cothran did not practice with the team in the first semester. Had Cothran played right from the get-go, he would have been a virtual shoo-in for All-Newcomer Team. He’s got star potential if he dedicates himself to self-improvement. His progress could determine if URI unseats preseason favorite Xavier for the league title.
Joe Mbang – The 235-pound senior forward is muscular and athletic but not big enough to be a mainstay in the paint. Probably shorter than his listed 6-6, Mbang prefers to start his offense (8.4 ppg) outside. He’s a surprising good if streaky 3-pointer shooter (39.3% 3PG) and can take defenders off the dribble. Mbang also scores lots of baskets after missed field goals. He’s quick off his feet and gets up high (4.3 rpg). It’s his combination of strength and quickness that makes him a difficult matchup for most teams in the A-10. In a reserve role, he’s scored as many as 22 points and hauled in up to 10 boards in a game.
The juco transfer, however, was limited to 20 minutes a game because of a penchant for fouling and sometimes-wild play. Mbang gets whistled a lot defending the post and constantly tries to draw charges. When he fails, it’s an easy basket for the other team. When he has the ball, Mbang often takes hasty and ill-advised shots. If he wants more time, Mbang will have to settle down and work within the flow of the offense. He’s a like a stick of dynamite off the bench, but sometimes it’s his own team that he blows up.
Lamonte Ulmer – The long and wiry-strong 6-6 forward (4.3 ppg, 44% FG) is like a smaller but more athletic version of Seawright. He’s fast off his feet (team-leading 24 blocks), has a natural feel for rebounding (3.4 rpg) and is a disruptive defender when the Rams jump into a press. His offense is still a work in progress, though he did shot 54% in league games, scoring mostly on close-in shots. Ulmer is most comfortable attacking the basket with his dribble. He has a decent handle for his size and a quick first step, and is most effective from 15 feet in (just 2-13 on treys). During the off-season, he apparently added 25 pounds to push his weight up to 205.
As a sophomore, Ulmer will take a backseat to Daniels, Mbang and Seawright, but he’s a valuable frontcourt reserve. He’ll still get regular minutes in URI’s uptempo attack, but barring injury, his real chance to shine won’t come until next year.
NEWCOMERS
Delroy James – Redshirt forward was suspended for the first semester due to an unspecified violation. The left-hander from Brooklyn comes from a family of talented basketball players – his brother Shawn is suiting up at Duquesne. Delroy likes to play on the wing. He shoots well from outside and can take the ball to the basket. He was considered the team’s best recruit (No. 123 Rivals 2006) in last year’s class and played well in practice before the NCAA froze his admission pending investigation of a prep school he attended. His playing time will depend on how fast he shakes off the rust and learns to play Division 1 defense.
Marquis Jones – Quick point guard is a solid passer with a good handle and 3-point range. He’s also considered a pesky defender. A onetime Rutgers commitment, Jones actually signed with URI two years ago but did not qualify. He’s older than most freshmen and could get significant minutes in his first year with the departure of Jon Lucky. Jones is the only true point guard on the roster.
Jason Francis – Powerful 280-pound Jamaican is a space eater who gives URI some badly needed bulk. The team often got pushed around in the paint and Francis could help the Rams hold their ground in physical wars of attrition. He’s not a big offensive threat, but finishes well when he gets the chance (68.2% FG). “Jason gives us a physical presence in the paint, but don’t let his size fool you,” Baron says. “He is very athletic, moves well, has good hands, and is very efficient on the offensive end.” The hard part for Francis will be to stay out of foul trouble. He’s still learning the game and got whistled frequently in junior college.
Will Martell – Developing bigman has decent hands and some skills but needs to work on footwork and conditioning. He could be a contributor in a year or two if he continues to progress at the same rate as he did in prep school. Martell generated more offers after one year at The Hun School, where he played with top St. Joseph’s recruit Idris Hilliard.
Hakim McCullar – The 6-7 forward from Cincinnati was rated among the top 300 players in the nation two years ago by HoopScoop. He’s not a great offensive player, but he’s an accurate shooter close to the basket and has above-average defensive skills. With long arms and springy legs, McCullar is a good shotblocker for his size.
SCOUTING REPORT
The Rams have two of the league’s most dangerous scorers in Baron Jr. and Daniels. They are each 40%-plus 3-pointer shooters while Daniels can also score in the paint. All the defensive attention centered on those two means teammates will get plenty of good looks. They just have to knock down open shots.
The post game is not a strength of the Rams, however. Undersized forwards Seawright and Mbang do a good job on the boards and can score down low, but neither is likely to become a monster in the paint. They beat opponents mostly with quickness and hustle, a hallmark of Baron’s teams. URI hopes widebody juco transfer Jason Francis can help solidify the Rams in the middle, but he might not be ready for prime time.
To compensate for a smallish frontcourt, the Rams will turn up the tempo and get after opponents again on defense. Yet URI has to do a better job in transition and not give up so many easy baskets. Rhode Island let opponents shoot 45.4%. That’s too high even for a transition team, particularly one that barely shoots any better (45.8%).
The Rams also have to show more patience in half-court sets. Baron and Daniels are both prone to quick shots when URI struggles to score, especially on the road. They have to show more poise and leadership.
It would help if senior Parfait Bitee, a terrific defender, could generate more offense for teammates, but he’s not a natural floor leader. Rising sophomore Keith Cothran, a highly athletic slasher, has good passing skills, but he doesn’t protect the ball well enough to man the point for long. That’s why URI finished with a -2.0 turnover margin, 12th in the league.
A repeat performance cannot happen again for the Rams to win the A-10. URI lost several close games because of poor ball-handling and Rhode Island coughed up the ball 21 times in the loss to George Washington in the A-10 tournament championship game.
PREDICTION
Fresh off a 19-14 record and an appearance in the A-10 Tournament final, Rhode Island is well positioned to compete for the league title. The Rams return all five key veterans as well as several promising underclassmen. “Having a good core of guys back makes things a lot easier and is really to our advantage,” Baron Jr. told the Providence Journal.
What’s more, the offense is built around two great scorers and Baron can use his fleet of athletes to harass other teams. URI also led the A-10 in 3-point shooting and, like most of Baron’s teams, was near the top of the league in rebounding (+2.4 margin).
The defense could use some work, however, and the Rams are not especially strong in the paint or at the point as some other top A-10 teams. It’s not hard to see URI winning 20 games and getting into a postseason tournament. Yet obtaining an automation invitation is harder to envision unless the Rams buckle down on defense, reduce turnovers and generate more points in the paint.
Everyone in the A-10 will be gunning for one of the league favorites. The Rams cannot afford to make as many mistakes.
Predicted record: 23-8 (11-5)
Predicted Noncon Wins and Losses
W – FLORIDA ATLANTIC
W – Vs. South Florida (Daytona Beach, FL)
W – Vs. Stetson (Daytona Beach, FL)
L – Vs. UAB (Daytona Beach, FL)
W – At Brown
W – At Boston College
W – TOLEDO
W – NORTHEASTERN
W – NEW HAMPSHIRE
L – PROVIDENCE
L – At Syracuse
W – HOFTSTRA
W – Eastern Michigan (Corpus Christi, TX)
W – Georgia Southern/Texas A&M CC winner
W- FAIRLEIGH DICKINSONThis is not a particularly difficult sked with so many home games against clearly inferior opponents. This Rams team simply should not lose to Florida Atlantic, South Florida, Steton, Toledo, Northeastern, New Hampshire or Hoftstra. Rhody is also the best team in the two-day Corpus Christi tourney, unless that’s the real Texas A&M, not the CC version.
The toughest games are UAB and Providence at home and BC and Cuse on the road. Frankly, I think URI is better than UAB, BC and Cuse and on par with PC. The Rams could win all four games, although they won’t. UAB is a run-and-gun team and I go conservative here. Overconfident Rams lose a close one. I pick URI to beat BC at BC, though. Good time to catch the Eagles. The PC game should be a great one, but again, I go conservative and give the Friars and edge. At Syracuse, I really think the Rams will win, but I am not going to make it official. For those purposes, I call it a loss.
If URI wins two of these four games and wins all the rest, then gets 10 or 11 wins in A-10 play, I think the Rams are shoo-ins for an at-large bid.
Link: A-10 PREVIEW – 2nd PLACE
[SIZE=1]Originally Posted by [B]WH[/B] [/SIZE] [I][B][SIZE=1]A-10 PREVIEW – 10TH PLACE[/SIZE][/B][/I][SIZE=1][COLOR=darkgreen]CHARLOTTE[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Last year: 14-16 (7-9) 9th place[/SIZE][SIZE=1]ARENA[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Halton Arena[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Seats: 9,105[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Average attendance: 6,026[/SIZE][SIZE=1]COACH[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Bobby Lutz 10th year (19th overall)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Record at Charlotte: 168-112 (349-203 overall, 63.2% winning percentage) [/SIZE][SIZE=1]ROSTER[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]1 Michael Gerrity JR PG 6-0 180 Yorba Linda, CA/Pepperdine[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]2 Charlie Coley JR F 6-7 220 Lake Worth, FL/Dodge City CC (KS)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]3 Dijuan Harris SO G 5-9 170 Charlotte, NC/Hillsborough JC (FL)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]5 Gaby Ngoundjo FR PF 6-7240 Little Rock, AR[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]10 Jerrell Lewis JR PG 6-0 197 Brooklyn, NY/New Hampton Prep (NH)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]11 Ian Andersen SO WG 6-4 180 Portland, OR[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]*12 Leemire Goldwire SR G 5-11 190 Palm Beach Gardens, FL[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]21 An’Juan Wilderness FR PF 6-6 215 Dunwoody, GA[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]31 Charles Dewhurst FR G/F 6-5 185 Charlotte, NC[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]35 Sean Phaler SR F 6-9 200 Anaheim Hills, Calif./Fullerton JC[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]41 Phil Jones FR C 6-10 270 Brooklyn, NY/Laurinburg (NC) Prep[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]?? Javarris Barnett FR WG 6-5 200 Charlotte, NC[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]?? Lamont Mack JR F 6-7 230 Chicago, IL/Angelina College (TX)[/SIZE][SIZE=1]*Returning starters[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]OVERVIEW[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]At least in Charlotte, it is.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]First fans got mad at the team’s poor play and suddenly losing ways. Then coach Bobby Lutz got mad because the school would not extend his contract. He almost took a lesser job at South Alabama, a very mad idea that made Niners fans even madder. “I would never have looked, but I was told that maybe it was time that you looked somewhere else," Lutz told AP.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]After coming to his senses, a re-energized Lutz chose to stay. He’s recruited like mad to upgrade the roster.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Lutz has not forgotten how to field a winning team, but first things first. He has to reassert his authority over an increasingly disorganized program. Lutz has let the inmates run the asylum since the school joined the A-10 and it’s amazing the Niners have won as much as they have.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]His task won’t be easy. Charlotte only has one experienced player left on a completely overhauled roster and the Niners are young in a league rich in veteran players. On a more positive note, youth is impressionable. Lutz has a clean slate on which to imprint his signature.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Now the only thing that will make everyone happy in Charlotte is if the program returns to its winning ways, preferably with a winning style. If Lutz fails to accomplish at least the first goal, he’s almost certain to lose his job. It’s no longer just a question of how the Niners play the game. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]DEPARTED PLAYERS[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]De’Angelo Alexander – The 6-5 transfer scored in bunches (17.6 ppg) and did a good job on the boards (7.2 rpg), earning Third Team A-10 honors. The numbers don’t tell the whole story. Alexander rarely missed a chance to shoot at the first opportunity – often from well behind the 3-point line – and his quick trigger disrupted the flow of the offense. To make matters worse, his accuracy declined (33.5% 3PG from 43% 3PG) and he was not a stalwart defender. All his points and rebounds cannot obscure the truth that he was never a team player. It’s clear now why Oklahoma was willing to let him go.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]E.J. Drayton – Former junior-college star became a workhorse inside during his third and final season at Charlotte (he redshirted two years ago because of tendonitis.). Drayton finished third on the team in scoring (13.4 ppg) and grabbed 8.4 boards a game, second in the A-10. Though not a star, Drayton put up numbers that normally would earn a spot on an All-Conference team. He was snubbed because of Charlotte’s dismal 9th place finish.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Antwon Coleman – Erratic 6-7 space eater (4.6 ppg) never lived up to his junior-college billing. He was big and strong and had a decent touch, but Coleman lacked sufficient quickness to maneuver adroitly in the post. He shot a meager 44% from the field, constantly got in foul trouble and was often beaten to the boards (just 2.6 rpg).[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Courtney Williams – The passive 6-9 reserve was the team’s tallest player, but Williams (3.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg) did not provide an inside threat. He was more comfortable 15 feet from the basket. In league play he was a nonfactor, scoring just 39 points in 17 A-10 games.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Jerell Jamison – Athletic 6-5 wing forward sat for the first year and a half after arriving from jucoland. Given a chance once A-10 play began, Jamison supplied the Niners a spark with his hustle, energy and defense. He set career highs in points (15) and rebounds (10) in a win at Duquesne. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Carlos Williams – Junior-college star was anything but in his first and only season as a 49er. Touted by Lutz as the best passer he had signed in years, Williams was just a passing fancy. He lost playing time in league play and later transferred. Poor decisions (75 assists to 65 turnovers) and bad shots (27% 3PG) saw to that.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]David Booker – Former Gatorade Player of the Year in Mississippi was too slow to play on the wing but not big enough to play down low. The 6-7 Booker also transferred.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]RETURNING PLAYERS[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Leemire Goldwire – Senior guard is the only returning player of note in Charlotte’s revamped roster, but he happens to be a darn good one. Goldwire (14.5 ppg) might be the most combustible scorer in the A-10. When he’s feeling it, Goldwire unleashes a torrential downpour on opponents. He nailed seven 3-pointers in a win over Dayton and replicated that feat in a victory against Richmond. He also hit six 3-pointers in three other games and five treys in another three. Goldwire even managed to boost his 3-point accuracy to 39.4% from 34.6% even though defenses were zeroed in on him. When they fouled, he made them pay (90.5% FT).[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Goldwire is not just a shooter. He grabbed 3.1 boards, averaged 2.7 assists and played better defense (39 steals) than most of his teammates. As the only four-year player left on the roster, though, he has to do even more. Goldwire still had too many 2-10 or 3-9 nights. He has to shoot with more consistency, and that means taking better shots. Sometimes he brings the ball down the floor and fires away the moment he reaches the top of the key. Other times he fires on the move and off-balance, even early in the clock. For such a great free-throw shooter, Goldwire should also drive more to the basket. Almost 75% of his attempts came from beyond the arc, but he’s quick and strong and defenders have to respect his shot. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Jerrell Lewis – Redshirt junior has only hit two baskets in his career. Lewis is a good athlete and handles the ball well enough, but he can’t find the exit to Lutz’s doghouse. Even though talented transfer Mike Gerrity won’t suit up until late December, Lewis doesn’t figure to play a major role. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Ian Andersen – Sophomore is a pure shooter, but unlike typical Charlotte marksmen, he likes to get his feet set before he lets fly. Andersen played in all 30 games, averaging 4.6 points. He hit three 3-pointers in five separate games, scoring a career high 11 points vs. both Wofford and George State. He also tallied 10 points vs. George Washington. Of his 48 field goals, 39 were 3-pointers. In other words, Andersen was like a box of crayons with only one color.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]While Lutz’s offense requires a great shooter or two, Andersen has to change his colors from time to time. He’s not the most athletic player, but he’s a solid passer and knows where he’s supposed to be on the floor. He’s also a very hard worker in practice. There’s a role for Andersen on the 49ers. How big it is will depend on how much he expands his game.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Sean Phaler – Emaciated 6-9 forward (1.9 ppg) hit 10 of 39 treys but did not contribute much else. Phaler is thinner than most French supermodels and gets thrown around like a rag doll. He’s likely to be a deep reserve. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]NEWCOMERS[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Mike Gerrity – Pepperdine transfer could make the biggest impact of all the newcomers. Lutz plans to start Gerrity at point once he gains eligibility in late December. Named freshman of the year in the WCC two years ago, the former Wave averaged 14.1 points 3.4 rebounds and nearly 2 steals a game. Gerrity is quick and likes to attack the basket, scoring most of his points off the dribble. He’s a good passer but likes the ball in his hands and is a bit wild. With a better jumpshot and more mature decision making, he could be an All-League player in another year.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Phil Jones - The 6-10 bigman from Brooklyn signed with Charlotte in 2006 but was denied NCAA clearance after an investigation of his former prep schools. A late bloomer, Jones (No. 106, Rivals 2006) is a good rebounder with a nice touch and improved low-post skills. He drew attention from several major programs but they backed off because of his questionable academic status. Jones decided to stick with Charlotte even though he was forced to sit out, but he should vie for a starting job on a team with no experienced post players returning. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Lamont Mack – The 230-pound forward, ranked by one service as a top-20 juco, reportedly can score inside or out and does a good job on the boards. “He’s a multi-dimensional player who can play two or three different positions,” juco coach Todd Neighbors told the Charlotte Observer. “He can step out and take a big guy away from the basket, he can take people off the dribble and he can knock down the open 3.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]What sort of impact Mack will have is uncertain. He’s coming off surgery and needs to lose weight. Lutz has also whiffed on several jucos in recent years and a big contribution from Mack should not be taken for granted. Still, he shores up a 49ers frontcourt depleted by graduation and gives Lutz some muscle inside.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Charles Coley – Rated even more highly than Mack, Coley is known as a world-class leaper who excels in the open floor and can dunk with the best. “While he scores around the basket and in transition, Charlie is a tremendous rebounder and can defend a post or perimeter player,” Lutz says. “He is someone who simply helps you win games at both ends of the floor and will provide some highlight plays during his career at Charlotte.” [/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Charles Dewhurst – The 6-5 Charlotte native played in a few games before being redshirted after an ankle injury. A terrific athlete, Dewhurst put up big numbers in high school and is a solid shooter. After a year of lifting weights and acclimating himself to the 49ers system, Dewhurst will get a shot a major minutes on a young squad. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]An’Juan Wilderness - Three-time Division AAA Georgia Player of the Year signed with Charlotte two years ago but attended prep school. Wilderness is strong and aggressive, if somewhat undersized as power forward. He is a solid passer and tough rebounder who scores most of his points near the basket. He also excels in transition and has been polishing his jumper. One service, HoopScoop, ranked Wilderness among the top 100 players in the class of 2006.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Gaby Ngoundgo - Hustling Cameroon native played ball in Arkansas. Like many players from Africa, he’s extremely athletic but undeveloped offensively. He has long arms and quick hops and made a name for himself at the prep level as a rebounder and shotblocker. Early reports from practice suggest he could make an immediate impact on defense.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Javarris Barnett - Local prep star was lightly recruited until he shined in a regional all-star game during his senior year. He attracted offers from Wake Forest and Vanderbilt. Barnett is a long 6-6 wingman with an accurate 3-point jumper. The late bloomer still needs to work on ball-handling and taking defenders off the dribble. With so many wing players on the roster, Barnett will have to continue to improve rapidly to earn time.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Dijuan Harris – Superfast point guard – Lutz says he’s the quickest player he’s ever coached – was given a scholarship in late summer. Harris, who played one year of juco ball, is a pass-first floor general and defensive pest. He’ll get a chance to play early on with Gerrity out till December. An improved shot would help his chances of staying in the regular rotation. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]SCOUTING REPORT[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]The 49ers need drastic improvement on both sides of the ball. Start with the offense. Charlotte finished dead last in the A-10 in field goal percentage (40.3%) and assists. The Niners are excessively reliant on the 3-pointer, take too many poor or contested shots, often early in the clock, and point play has been a disaster.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]A new and bigger frontline should help. Touted redshirt center Phil Jones and juco forwards Mack and Coley are expected to contribute immediately, as are freshmen Wilderness and Ngoundjo. All five are strong and athletic and the quintet composes the biggest frontcourt collection in the league. Not a single one has Division 1 experience, but as the adage goes, you can’t teach size. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Better frontcourt play would also help the guards by giving them more room to operate. That could lead to higher shooting percentages all around.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Point play is a big question early on. Gerrity does not become eligible until December. He’s more of a scorer than a distributor, but he represents a huge upgrade at a position that’s been a major weakness for Charlotte since it joined the A-10. Goldwire can help out at the point in Gerrity’s absence, but he’s better off the ball as the team’s most reliable deep threat. The only pure point is smallish juco Dijuan Harris.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]A more balanced and efficient offense is not enough. The Niners play defense like the French Army confronted by a Panzer division. Charlotte allowed other teams to shoot 46%, whereas the best A-10 teams typically hold foes to 40%. Perimeter defense was an open sore. The Niners gave up more 3-pointers than any other team except Rhode Island. The newfound athleticism and depth should allow Lutz to turn up the heat with frequent full-court pressing and half-court traps. Better defense could also lead to easier baskets in transition.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]The biggest reason why Charlotte could improve, though, is because the job of the coach is at stake. Lutz knows he’ll be fired if Charlotte experiences another season like the last one. He will do whatever it takes to preserve his hard-earned reputation as a winner.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]“I still think I’m the best guy for this job,” Lutz told AP. “Now, I’m comfortable we’ll be able to prove it.” [/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]PREDICTION[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Charlotte is the X-factor in A-10 play. The team is young and inexperienced, but Lutz brought in a tremendous recruiting class (on paper). The new Niners are big and athletic and Charlotte seldom lacks for shooters. What’s more, the eventual starting backcourt consists of a pair of established scorers in Goldwire and Gerrity. Goldwire is the better shooter, Gerrity the superior penetrator.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Yet it’s vital that Lutz revitalize the inside game and half-court offense and force the guards to feed the post. Even if the bigmen fail to finish, they’ve got the size and muscle to pound opponents inside and clean up on the offensive glass. The penetration of Gerrity should also give them ample opportunity for easy baskets or followup dunks off missed shots. The Niners will still hoist plenty of treys, but they won’t have to be so reliant on the deep ball.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]If Lutz can reestablish Charlotte’s inside play and Gerrity duplicates his performance at Pepperdine, the Niners could be as much of a surprise this season as the team was a disappointment last year. It might not show right away, however. The Niners have to go without Gerrity for the first eight games of the second toughest nonconference schedule in the A-10. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]With so many unknowns, it’s hard predict a dramatic improvement on Charlotte’s 14-16 record. A winning season seems within reach, but a postseason invitation will be harder to grasp. No one in Charlotte would be entirely happy with such an outcome, but it might be enough to secure Lutz’s job, at least for another year.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Record: 16-15 (8-8), 10th place[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Note: Charlotte has not officially added numbers for its newcomers on its web site. The numbers will be added once they become available.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Predicted Noncon Wins and Losses[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]L - HIGH POINT[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]W – APPALACHIAN STATE[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]L – Georgia Tech (Virgin Islands)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]W – Illinois-Chicago/Winthrop winner (Virgin Islands)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]W – Wichita State/Baylor (Virgin Islands)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]W – WAKE FOREST (Bobcats Arena)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]L – DAVIDSON[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]W – SOUTHERN ILLINOIS[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]W – At Hoftstra[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]L – At Tulsa[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]W – GARDNER-WEBB[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]W - FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]L – MARYLAND (Bobcats Arena)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]L – At Clemson[/SIZE][SIZE=1]I am taking a big gamble on Charlotte’s noncon sked. I peg the Niners at 8-6. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]High Point might be the best team in its conference and it has everyone back, including a very good forward who transferred from Virginia two years ago. High Point beat some good teams last year. Hard way to start the season. Appalachian State won 25 games and brings back some good talent, but I don’t see the Niners losing both of these games at home. GTech is super young and this is a winnable game on a neutral court. I give the nod to the ACC, though. The second Paradise Jam game is likely to be against Illinois-Chicago, a team with lots of question marks. I see a win. The final Jam game is probably going to involve Wichita. Great new coach in Greg Marshall, but the talent level took a dive.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]My upset special is at home after Charlotte returns from the Jam. Usually teams fare poorly in the first game back from one of these early-season tournaments. Wake is very young, coach is new and maybe there is overhang from the summer tragedy. I see a Niners team raring to go in a soldout Bobcats arena. I think Charlotte will beat either Wake or Maryland in one of these two games. Local games with pumped-up players and good crowds.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Then Charlotte has an inevitable letdown vs. a superior Davidson team that returns all five starters. For once, though, Charlotte will be seen as the big underdog and it will interesting to see how Davidson responds as the road favorite. The very next game is the one Gerrity suits up for. Niners fans celebrate his return to live action with an upset win over the Salukis. Charlotte goes up North and beats a Hofstra team that lost two of the best players in the program’s history to graduation. The Niners lose at Tulsa (winnable game), beat Gardner-Webb and end on a sour note with losses to two more ACC teams.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Final record vs. the ACC: 1-3.[/SIZE]
Pessimism, pure pessimism.
And, once again, X marks the first place spot!!!
[quote][b]A-10 PREVIEW – 1st PLACE
XAVIER MUSKETEERS[/B]
Last year: 25-9 (13-3), 1st Place
A-10 Regular Season Champions; NCAA, 2nd Round
INSTITUTION
Xavier University
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Founded: 1831
Enrollment: 6,500
Affiliation: Private, co-educational Catholic Jesuit university
COACH
Sean Miller 4th year (4th overall)
Record at Xavier: 63-32 (63-32 overall; 66.3% winning percentage)
ARENA
Cintas Center
Seats: 10,250
Average attendance last season: 9,910
ROSTER
*1 Josh Duncan SR F 6-9 238 Cincinnati, OH
2 Adrion Graves R-FR WG 6-4 201 Cincinnati, OH
4 Charles Bronson R-JR C/F 6-9 232 Philadelphia, PA/East Carolina/Redlands (OK) CC
5 Derrick Brown R-SO F 6-8 225 Dayton, OH
11 B.J. Raymond JR G-F 6-6 226 Toledo, OH
20 C.J. Anderson R-JR G/F 6-6 220 Cincinnati, OH
*24 Drew Lavender R-SR PG 5-7 153 Columbus, OH/Oklahoma
25 Dante Jackson FR G 6-5 195 Greenfield, OH
31 Jason Love SO PF 6-9 255 Philadelphia, PA
*34 Stanley Burrell SR WG 6-3 205, Indianapolis, IN
*Returning starters
OVERVIEW
Xavier lost three starters from a team that almost beat No. 1 Ohio State in NCAA tournament, but the program returns some of the top talent in the A-10 and the Musketeers look to repeat as regular-season champions.
Xavier also looks to be a much different team. The starting frontcourt of bruising 6-9 center Brandon Cole, 6-10 big forward Justin Doellman and rugged 6-6 wing forward Justin Cage is gone. The new edition of Xavier is smaller upfront and will be more reliant on a slashing, attacking style of basketball.
The big unknown is how long it will take for the refurbished frontcourt to round into form and how well Xavier will handle the more powerful A-10 frontlines. If the Musketeers hold their own on the boards and muster their fair share of points in the paint, Xavier will be in terrific shape.
Coach Sean Miller, now in his 4th year, doesn’t have to worry much about an experience-rich backcourt. Former McDonald’s All-American Drew Lavender is one of the best point guards in the nation and Stanley Burrell is a terrific shooter, though he did struggle as a junior. Xavier’s starting guards are arguably the finest pair in the league.
DEPARTED PLAYERS
Justin Doellman – Kentucky native, named to the Atlantic 10 First Team, capped off a terrific four-year career with a superb finale. The 6-9 forward presented a mismatch for almost every opponent. He could shoot (36% 3PG) or pass (57 assists) over smaller foes or take bigger defenders off the dribble. Doellman was also a dangerous off-the-ball defender, racking up 39 blocks and 30 steals, often at key moments. As a senior, he scored a team-leading and personal best 13.7 points a game while averaging 5.5 boards.
Justin Cage – The other Justin was every bit as important as Doellman, but in different ways. The tough-minded Cage was one of the best defenders in the A-10, often guarding the other team’s top scorer. He was also a tenacious offensive rebounder who always seemed to be in the right spot. When his team needed it, Cage was a clutch performer who could deliver the points (10.5 ppg), mostly on high-percentage shots near the basket. He shot 56.7% from the field and even dropped in 13 treys (38.2% 3PG) on unsuspecting defenders. In his best game ever, Cage tallied a career-high 25 points to lead Xavier in a near-upset win over heavily favored Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament. Cage was the glue who held together several fine Xavier teams over the past four years.
Brandon Cole – Burly 6-8 forward entered the starting lineup in late January and solidified Xavier’s interior game. Cole handled the dirty laundry so more skilled teammates would not have to soil their hands. He scored an occasional bucket (5.8 ppg, 51.6% FG), hit the glass (4.7 rpg) and supplied stout defense in the post. His toughness and physical presence will be missed.
Johnny Wolf – Point guard from Cincinnati, stuck in a reserve role, transferred after his second year. Wolf showed promise as a freshman, but the arrival of Lavender scotched his goal of obtaining more time. In limited action, Wolf made good decisions (61 assists to 19 turnovers) and shot the ball well (41.9% 3PG). Arguably the best backup point guard in the league, Wolf could have started for plenty of teams – including some in the A-10 – and he’ll eventually get that chance at UNC-Wilmington.
Adam Simons – The 7-foot transfer from N.C. State played just 18 minutes as a senior.
RETURNING PLAYERS
Drew Lavender – The transfer from Oklahoma took a few months to shake of the rust and adapt to his teammates. Once Lavender settled in, he sparkled like a pink diamond. He ran the offense with near-perfection (4.8 apg), dished out as many as 9 assists in five different games and rarely turned the ball over (2.88 assist-to-turnover ratio).
When he wasn’t carving up defenses with his passing and penetration, Lavender was raining down 3-pointers (45% 3PG), especially when defenders ran under screens (message to opponents: don’t). He dropped in 31 points (7-8 treys) in a blowout win vs. Charlotte and he racked up 27 points (5-7 treys) in a victory over Dayton.
Lavender also generated plenty of offense with his defense (45 steals). He embarrassed more than a few point guards by picking their pockets like an expert thief. It was amazing to watch the virtuoso 5-7 guard in action. For a two-month stretch he played as well as any point guard who’s ever suited up in the A-10.
What to do for an encore? The fifth-year senior will be matched up with younger and less experienced teammates after heavy graduation losses. He’ll be the main focus of opposing defenses. If Lavender cannot trust his teammates as much, his production could suffer. Don’t count on it, though. The Musketeers are still as talented and athletic as any team in the league. Xavier will be smaller but quicker and perhaps better suited to a faster-paced game.
If Lavender can play his game and not worry so much about scoring, the odds of a repeat performance are high. That’s why Lavender is a favorite for A-10 Player of the Year. “I look at Drew as being very ready to have a special season,” Miller told the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Stanley Burrell – The senior shooting guard was named to the A-10’s Third Team based more on reputation than actual performance. By many measures, his third season was arguably his worst. His scoring average fell to 12.4 points from 14.4 points and his 3-point shooting slipped to 35.7% from 40%. Even though he reached double figures 24 times, Burrell also took plenty of shots to get there. What’s worse, he failed to show up in some big games. Burrell ended the season in a funk, with zero points in Xavier’s NCAA win over BYU and just 3 points in the season-ending loss to Ohio State.
It’s hard to pinpoint the source of Burrell’s poorer play. He’s quick and strong, versatile and aggressive, a player who craves center stage. He even started the season off with a bang, lighting up Villanova for 26 points in a key early-season win. At that point Burrell appeared ready for a super season. All he had to do was score and let Lavender run the offense. Yet his production soon grew erratic. As his shooting slump continued, he seemed to lose confidence and his poor shooting form became hard to ignore. Burrell still shoots quickly and off-balance, fading away or falling to the side after he releases his shot. He does himself no favors.
It’s a tribute to Burrell that he did not let his periodic slumps hurt the team. He attacked the basket more often and got to the free-throw line, where he’s a 79% shooter. He also delivered plenty of assists (83) and played the best defense of his career. Yet the Musketeers need more from Burrell if Xavier wants to win the A-10 regular-season crown again. He’s got First-Team talent, but reputation alone is not going win him any more accolades. There’s no reason to expect a repeat performance, however, so don’t expect opposing defenders to pay Burrell any less respect.
Josh Duncan – The 6-9 forward is one of the most talented players in the A-10, but persistent health problems have prevented him from tapping his full potential. Hobbled by back and ankle injuries, Duncan (9.3 ppg, 88% FT) missed four games and averaged just 20 minutes a contest. He mostly hung around the perimeter, taking more than half the shots from behind arc (38% 3PG). He didn’t help much with interior defense and rebounding, either. Duncan grabbed just 3.4 boards a game – a pittance for a player with his size and strength – and he blocked only 9 shots. Although he can dunk easily enough, Duncan is not especially quick off his feet.
If he ever gets fully healthy, Duncan could be a force. He’s a fine shooter and passer and dribbles fairly well for his size. While he’ll never be a dominant producer in the paint, few defenders in the A-10 can match up with him physically. Entering his final season, though, Duncan has to be viewed as a question mark. He only played 20 minutes once in the last 10 games and his scoring averaged a meager 5.3 points in the stretch run. Sean Miller called Duncan an X factor before last season. He’s still an X factor.
Derrick Brown – Rising sophomore (6.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg) is one of the most exciting players in the A-10, and it’s only a matter of time before he achieves All-Conference status. A virtual dunking machine, the left-handed Brown hit an amazing 70.6% of his shots as a redshirt freshman, often on fastbreak jams, soaring alley-oops and one-handed putbacks. He even showed glimpses of an outside touch, hitting 4 of 8 treys.
An expanded offense is exactly what opponents should expect from Brown in his second season. An inch taller and more muscular, he’ll play a larger role and could become a featured player. Brown has the quickness and body control to score down low and he handles the ball well enough to take some defenders off the dribble. What might take time is for Brown and C.J. Anderson to mesh. Both are athletic slashers who do their damage closer to the basket. Brown has shown proper deference to older teammates, but he can’t be shy.
Even if he doesn’t become a big scorer right away, Brown will contribute in other ways. He snatched 16 boards – the second highest total in the A-10 last season – in just 16 minutes vs. BYU. With his long arms and leaping ability, Brown (17 steals, 21 blocks) should also improve defensively. He had some trouble guarding opponents as a frosh, but he also has the tools to become a lockdown defender.
B.J. Raymond – The junior swingman (4.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg), a 3-point shooter in reserve last year, has been waiting to show off his full game and he’ll finally get a chance. Raymond plays solid defense, handles the ball fairly well and, at 6-6, he has shown the ability to post up. For many A-10 teams, he would be a sure starter.
Miller still wants Raymond to shoot the longball, though. Afterall, he hit 45% of his treys and canned at least two 3-pointers in 10 games, adding firepower when Burrell was out of sorts. He took an astonishing 80 of his 119 attempts behind the arc and only hit 12 two-point baskets all season. Raymond will still shoot plenty of treys, but expect him to score more frequently closer to the basket. His production in every area should rise with more playing time and responsibility. “B.J. is certainly earning his way to be a factor playing,” Miller told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “He’s going to get a lot of minutes at the two and I think he’s going to get a lot of minutes at the three.”
Adrion Graves – Cincinnati native played in 13 games (3.2 ppg) before his freshman season was cut short by injury. Graves, a fine athlete, is supposed to be a good shooter who also excels taking the ball to the basket. In limited minutes, he didn’t do either well (25% 3PG, 3 assists, 14 turnovers). Graves showed hints, however, of the talent that made him such a highly rated recruit. He’s likely to become part of the rotation, most likely as a sub for Burrell at wing guard, but he won’t see a lot of time if Stan returns to being the Man.
Jason Love – Slimmed-down power forward didn’t play much as a freshman (19 games, 76 minutes), but Love displayed soft hands and nimble feet for a 260-pounder. He hit 8 of 11 attempts and swatted 6 shots. He’ll get more time as sophomore and will be asked to anchor the middle. Xavier has plenty of scorers.
What Miller wants from Love – who he says might be the team’s most improved player - is to mimic the role of Brandole Cole. Rebound, defend and give the Musketeers some size and toughness in the paint. Love is not known for his offense, so any points he scores is a bonus. “Rebounding and defense are the two things I talk to coach Miller about,” Love told the Enquirer. “Cole was a big rebounder for us and took charges on defense. I want to be that for us this year.”
NEWCOMERS
C.J. Anderson - Transfer from Manhattan is a highly athletic swingman with a knack for scoring and getting to the rim. Anderson averaged 16.1 points a game as a freshman and 18.8 points as a sophomore. He does most of his scoring on slashing moves to the basket, short jumpers and quick putbacks. A terrific leaper, Anderson also averaged almost 9 rebounds at Manhattan. He even dished out nearly 4 assists a game in his final season for the Jaspers. “I think he can really bring us that size and toughness at that position,” Miller says. “On offense, he can really put fouls on the other team. He’s ferocious. He’s older, he’s tested.”
His biggest weaknesses are 3-point shooting (1-8 in two years) and a tendency to force the issue (61 turnovers). Anderson doesn’t need to shoot well from long range to score, but he needs share the ball and make better decisions. The Xavier offense relies on good ball movement. Then there’s the matter of rust. Anderson hasn’t played in a year and a half. Lavender took until mid-January before he found his stride; Miller says Anderson could face a similar adjustment period.
At the other end of the court, Anderson is not as good of a man-to-man defender as Justin Cage, but he gets plenty of steals and blocks a lot of shots or his size. Xavier shouldn’t lose too much in terms of team defense.
Dante Jackson - Ohio native fits the mold of Xavier wingmen. He is a versatile and athletic player – Jackson also starred in track and football – who can score around the basket and shoot from outside. Although Jackson is one of the highest-rated recruits in the A-10, he’ll have to battle for time with C.J. Anderson, BJ Raymond and Adrion Graves ahead of him on the depth chart. There’s minutes available at backup point guard, however, and Jackson is said to be a capable ball-handler and passer who’s good enough to play that position.
Charles Bronson - Junior-college bigman signed with Xavier almost two years ago but failed to qualify. Strong and fairly athletic, Bronson is expected to help out with interior defense and rebounding. He’s not a major offensive threat and won’t be counted on to score. How much he plays might depend on the progress of sophomore center Jason Love, but he gives Xavier added depth in a smallish frontcourt. “Charles is a new player, so it’s going to take him some time,” Miller said.
SCOUTING REPORT
The Xavier offense once again will revolve around the wizardry of point guard Drew Lavender as well as the 3-point shooting of Burrell, Raymond and Duncan. The Musketeers can still put as many as four 3-point shooters on the floor at any one time.
A new element in Xavier’s attack is the slashing style of transfer C.J Anderson. The 6-6 forward attacks the basket as well as anyone in the nation and is hard to stop from getting to the rim, but he’s also a surprisingly good passer. Even though he lacks a good outside shot, Anderson finds a way. It may take Anderson time to find his groove again, but he and Derrick Brown figure to be Xavier’s best low-post threats. Duncan prefers to shoot three’s and the other bigmen on the roster, Love and Bronson, are not big scorers.
Brown is not a classic low-post player either, but his quickness and great athleticism should allow him to score inside. The lefty has a soft touch around the basket and knows how to finish.
Where Miller might have cause for concern is rebounding and interior defense. Xavier lost its top three rebounders and its best shotblocker (Doellman) and it doesn’t have a whole lot of beef. Since Anderson and Brown figure to be on the floor much of the time, they’ll also have to do much of the boardwork. The good news is that both are terrific rebounders for their size, using quickness and hustle to beat opponents. What remains to be seen is whether they can hold their own physically against the bigger teams in the A-10. That’s where they will need help from Duncan, Love and Bronson.
Being smaller does have its advantages. The Musketeers will be even quicker than they were last year. Miller will be able to put more pressure on opponents the full length of the floor and Xavier is likely to score more baskets off turnovers or in transition.
PREDICTION
The top five players on Xavier are as good as any in the conference and likely 6th man, B.J. Raymond, could start for any other A-10 team. If Xavier stays healthy, the Musketeers should be the favorites to win the conference championship. Miller has the best point guard and the best backcourt and Xavier has plenty of shooting, athleticism and experience. The frontcourt might not be as strong as last season, but the Musketeers are not bereft of options.
One landmine is a potential lack of depth. Although it’s one of the best-recruiting schools in the league, Xavier only suits up 10 scholarship players. Aside from Raymond, the team’s other four reserves have little or no Division 1 experience. A key injury to one of the team’s upperclassmen would be all it takes to deny a return to the A-10 thrown.
Even if Xavier doesn’t win the league tournament, the Musketeers are the best bet for an at-large invitation to the NCAA tournament. The school will have plenty of chances to build a strong portfolio with games against Indiana, Creighton, Cincinnati, Arizona State, Tennessee, Kansas State, Virginia and Auburn. It’s the toughest nonconference schedule in the A-10. The Musketeers will be battle tested by the time league play starts in the second week of January.
What’s missing most from last year is oodles of experience. Yet if Burrell returns to form, Anderson regains it quickly, Duncan stays healthy and Brown makes the leap toward stardom, Xavier could be even better than last season and rank as a top 25 team.
Record: 22-9 (11-5), 1st place
Predicted Noncon Wins and Losses
W – SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE
W – At Miami (Ohio)
W – COPPIN STATE
W – vs. Kent State (Chicago Invitational Challenge)
L – vs. Indiana (Chicago Invitational Challenge)
W – OAKLAND)
W – BELMONT
W – CREIGHTON
W – CINCINNATI
L – At Arizona State
W – TENNESSEE
W – DELAWARE STATE
W – KANSAS STATE
L – VIRGINIA
L – At Auburn
I am predicting an 11-4 noncon record even though I think the sked is set up for Xavier to win every game, and possibly be favored in every game, except the contests vs. Tennessee and at Auburn.
Miami almost always gives Xavier a hard time in Oxford (OH), but I see X scraping by. Kent State returns all five starters from a 20-win team and is capable of an upset. I see X winning and getting a date with Indiana. Sampson’s teams play tough D and the Hoosiers have upgraded their talent. Let’s call this the first loss, but a win over Kent and Indiana would be an eye opener. Then X feasts on Oakland and a Belmont team depleted by graduation.
Next up are the revenge games, wins at home over Cincy and Creighton, both nemeses from last year. The win over Cincy leads to the usual letdown, and X loses on the road to a much improved Arizona State team. But then the Muskies come back home and pull the upset over Tennessee before a frenzied home crowd. After beating Delaware State, X defeats the Huggins-less Kansas State but then loses at home to a less talented (but well coached) Virginia squad. I think the Muskies should win both games, but I am going conservative. Finally, X loses on the road at Auburn.
I have Xavier and URI with the same records, but I see Xavier with the greater chance of winning 12 or 13 conference games. I also think Xavier gets some revenge by beating Rhody in Kingston in their one and only matchup this season.
[b][url=http://www.basketballforum.com/atlantic-10-conference/381855-10-preview-1st-place.html]A-10 PREVIEW - 1st PLACE[/URL][/B][/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=ninerID;266046]Pessimism, pure pessimism.[/QUOTE]
Not sure why you say that. WH is predicting a .500 record for the Niners, which would be something of a minor miracle with our sked (both OOC and A-10) and the makeup of our team.
The guy gives good indepth stuff, but at times is an obvious A-10 Homer.
[QUOTE=CharSFNiners;266152]The guy gives good indepth stuff, but at times is an obvious A-10 Homer.[/QUOTE]
Let’s see, every year WH does in-depth A-10 analysis and predicts the order of finish for A-10 teams. Yes, I guess that would make him an A-10 homer. Not sure I follow your point. 
At least he’s not saying our most important game of the year is against Maryland for no other reason than they are an ACC team… :rolleyes:
Let's see, every year WH does in-depth A-10 analysis and predicts the order of finish for A-10 teams. Yes, I guess that would make him an A-10 homer. Not sure I follow your point. :confused:At least he’s not saying our most important game of the year is against Maryland for no other reason than they are an ACC team… :rolleyes:
My point is for OOC games, not that he actually does just an A-10 rundown. I think 5 or so teams play 'Cuse and for each one he believes they could beat Syracuse, but instead he plays conservative and gives them an “L.” I just find it odd for some of the same teams he has no problem having them drop a game to a small school somewhere else in the nation, but when one of the NE A-10 teams play a regional power, he gives them the nod all the way up until he marks an “L” for them.
I understand the logic, “any team can beat anyone at anytime”, I just found it odd for every team that played 'Cuse he determined they had a substantial shot at them, a young Orange team or not.
I appreciate his reviews I just wonder if there is an underlying rivalry with one of the local elites up there.:biggrin:
The A-10 homer charge did amuse me. Heck, if UMass were in the Big East, I’d be a Big East homer by that logic, and it would be true! (:
On Cuse: no rivalry. I am a UMass alum. However, Cuse is playing Rhody, Fordham and St. Joe’s, all of whom are expected to be among the top A-10 teams. THey have a lot of experience, while Cuse is very young. So I think the A-10 teams have a chance to catch them early. If Cuse were playing Richmond, LaSalle or Bonaventure I would not be suggesting those A-10 teams could win.
Then again, the Dome is a hard place to beat Cuse, and while the team is young, the Orangemen have more raw talent than perhaps any A-10 team with the possible exception of Xavier.
As for Charlotte, chalk me down as an optimist. I like the makeup of this team and am eager to see the Niners play.
this article says we get gerrity back for the southern illinois game. i heard we get him back for hofstra or tulsa. can anybody give me a definite answer.
[QUOTE=ninerfan55;266284]this article says we get gerrity back for the southern illinois game. i heard we get him back for hofstra or tulsa. can anybody give me a definite answer.[/QUOTE]
The fall semester ends on December 14th (last day of exams). That would make Gerrity eligible for the Hofstra game, which is on the 15th.
Would certainly like to have him a week earlier when we’re playing the currently #23 Salukis. BTW, SIU won their exhibition 74-38 over King College (Tenn.) this past Saturday.
this article says we get gerrity back for the southern illinois game. i heard we get him back for hofstra or tulsa. can anybody give me a definite answer.
I think it depends on when the final grades are in.