PreSeason A10 Team Capsules

**Nigel Tufnel** · 10-25-2007, 11:18 PM

LASALLE
Last season: 10-20 (3-13), 14th Place

COACH
John Giannini, 4th year (19th overall)

OVERVIEW

LaSalle lost an agonizingly high number of close games to end in last place, just one year after the school�s best finish ever (third) in the A-10. It should have come as no shock. The Explorers were the second youngest team in the league and lacked size and outside shooting. Without a serious low-post threat or a go-to guy, LaSalle struggled to score late in games.

The good news is that the Explorers are one year older and all but one key player returns. Yet some of the old problems linger. LaSalle does not have a single player over 6-8, for instance, while point play and outside shooting remain suspect.

Coach John Giannini can rely on the energy, quickness and athleticism of his young team to compensate for its shortcomings.

DEPARTED PLAYERS

Mike St. John � The 6-8 banger (5.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg) was the biggest and most experienced player on a team sorely lacking in both. He did a good job on the boards and was a surprisingly good passer.

Brian Grimes � The 6-7 Philadelphia native said he was not a good fit and transferred to Columbia, but lack of time may have been a factor. He was the team�s second biggest player, but the 220-pound Grimes playedfewer minutes (12.1 mpg) than the other four freshmen. In limited time, a hustling Grimes showed prowess as a rebounder (2.5 rpg) and interior defender and some basic offensive skills (4 ppg). His size might be missed down low on defense.

Sean Neal � Reserve point guard (1.7 ppg, 1.3 apg) was not an A-10 caliber athlete.

RETURNING PLAYERS

Darnell Harris � Undersized wing guard is one of the smoothest shooters (14 ppg) in the league. He hit a career-high 41.2% treys even though he was a focal point of opposing defenses. Harris doesn�t take many bad shots or force his offense, although at times he should. He cannot carry a team for long stretches and probably should be a second or third option, but Harris still needs to be more selfish. The young Explorers suffered frequent droughts and require leadership from their only senior starter.

Rodney Green � The 6-5 sophomore, selected to the All-Newcomer Team, is a gifted scorer (12.6 ppg) with one of the quickest first steps in college. Green reached double figures 22 times, including the first 10 games of his college career, with a season-high of 25 in a win vs. Central Connecticut State. Green can get to the basket even when opponents sag off because he�s so fast and agile. He loves to go to the hole or post up, no matter the size of the defender, and he�s relentless on the glass (5 rpg). Almost all of his scoring came within 10 feet of the basket, which explains his gaudy 54.6% field-goal percentage.

Green will find it hard to continue to play his kind of game unless he improves his jumper (0-8 treys).

Kimmani Barrett � Like an all-purpose tool, the long and athletic 6-6 swingman (8.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg) does a number of things well. Barrett hasn�t shown much of an outside shot (4-19 treys), but he still hit 52% of his field goals by running the break, slashing to the rim or attacking the glass � 61 of his 105 boards came on offense. By being so active, he also gets fouled a lot, and he�s a very good free-throw shooter (81.3% FT).

As a sophomore, Barrett can be expected to show big improvement. He�s a smart player and has the raw ability to develop into a topflight talent at both ends of the court. Without a better shot, however, he�s unlikely to become a primary option, although it�s a testament to his versatility that Barrett could still become a double-digit scorer.

Ruben Guillandeaux � Big 6-5 point guard started out slowly but became a major cog in the offense by the time conference play kicked off. After averaging just 5.6 points in nonconference contests, he scored 10.1 points a game in A-10 action and reached double figure in nine of 16 league games, including a career-high 21 at Massachusetts. The biggest surprise was a better-than-advertised outside touch (41.4% 3PG). Guillandeaux is a good standstill shooter and he�s effective pulling up after a dribble or two.

Guillandeaux didn�t do a bad job running the team. He is a solid ball-handler and passer (78 assists) with good vision and didn�t turn the ball over as much as a typical freshman. His size, however, can work against him. And he struggled to defend smaller point guards.

Yves Mekongo Mbala � Physical 6-7 combo forward, an explosive athlete with good all-round skills, has as much potential to star as any of LaSalle�s four sophomores. Mbala (8.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 42 assists, 45% FG) scored as many as 23 points in a game and grabbed up to 11 boards. He�s especially tough on the offensive glass and throws down some of the most vicious dunks in the league.

Mbala also has range on his jumper, notwithstanding a slow release, and he could play small forward if he shoots more consistently. His ball-handling also needs work. Mbala is more effective taking taller defenders off the dribble instead of trying to back them down. He doesn�t have a staple post move yet and won�t beat regular double teams.

What could wear on Mbala are his defensive responsibilities. LaSalle is one of the smallest teams in the A-10 and Mbala will have to anchor the post defense.

Paul Johnson � Giannini�s first recruit struggled to find a role in his second season and his minutes declined (16 mpg from 19 mpg). The 6-6 Johnson (5.9 pg, 50% FG) does not have any go-to moves, his outside shot (25% 3PG) is shaky and he doesn�t handle the ball well enough to dribble by defenders. He is a decent finisher near the basket and had some success against smaller frontlines, but Johnson was mostly shut down by larger defenders. His forte should be defense.

Sherman Diaz � The 6-4 swingman (4.8 ppg, 52% FG) can be counted on to provide energy off the bench. He�s a swarming defender who led the team with 24 blocks and he notched 18 steals in limited playing time (14 mpg). Diaz is particularly effective in a press. His offensive shortcomings and erratic decision making, however, mean Giannini can never take Diaz�s contributions for granted. He will have an occasional offensive outburst, but Diaz is not a reliable scorer.

NEWCOMERS

Jerrell Williams - Jerrell, who got offers from several Big East schools, is said to be the more talented of the Williams twins. He's quick and athletic and does most of his scoring around the hoop on aggressive drives to the rim and followup baskets. He's also a good rebounder and will block some shots, an area where LaSalle could use help.

Terrell Williams - The younger of the twins, Terrell has the potential to become a defensive stopper. Though athletic like his older brother, Terrell is not as skilled offensively. He's better known for his versatility and doing the little things to help a team win.

Kyle Griffin - Griffin has exactly what most of his teammates lack: a deadeye outside shot. He's not the most athletic kid, but Griffin plays a smart game and is a solid ball-handler who can man either backcourt position. He could benefit especially as a trailer in LaSalle's uptempo offense, squaring for treys when teammates penetrate and kick the ball out. He's not a gambler with the basketball, either. Turnovers were a big problem for LaSalle last year.

Darryl Partin � Athletic 6-4 guard, a late-summer signee, is a solid all-round player and above-average defender. �He is a good passer and ball handler at the point position but also has the ability to score off the ball,� Giannini says. �He has the ability to guard players of different sizes especially the smaller, penetrating type of guards that hurt us at times last season.�

Jameson Keefe � Gentle 7-3 giant is expected to redshirt to improve his conditioning and refine his largely untapped skills.

Continuation on LaSalle in next thread....

**Nigel Tufnel** · 10-25-2007, 11:18 PM

Continuation on LaSalle....

SCOUTING REPORT

Giannini has to enter the season with a clear idea of how the Explorers will play. Sometimes the team ran and pressured the ball; sometimes it did not. When the game was on the line, the offense usually broke down in halfcourt sets. LaSalle finished dead last in turnover margin (-3.07), the result of too many players trying to score on their own. It was every man dribbling for himself.

LaSalle would appear best suited to pressure the ball and work the transition game. The problem is, Giannini does not have a speedy point guard to make the fastbreak go and keep turnovers down. Guillandeaux did a credible job at point, but he�s not an assist machine. Nor is it fair to expect the freshmen Partin and Griffin to seize the reins.

A half-court approach is equally problematic. The team�s best low-post threat is 6-5 swingman Rodney Green. He plays much bigger than his size, but he�s not a regular option in the paint, either.

What Giannini does have is a bunch of players who can drive or dish. Yet that tactic only contributes to a winning strategy when penetrators take care of the ball and they have teammates who can hit open jumpers.

Harris is a terrific 3-point shooter and Guillandeaux can knock down the triple, but they need help. LaSalle hit 47 fewer treys than its opponents. It wouldn�t be a problem if the Explorers hit more 2-point baskets, but they didn�t do that, either.

One area where Giannini might not have a major concern is rebounding. Surprisingly the smaller but quicker Explorers finished second in the A-10 in rebounding margin (+4.6).

PREDICTION

The slightly older Explorers should benefit from their experience and win a few more games, but it�s hard to see LaSalle crawling out of the A-10 cellar. Finishing strong at the end of close games is likely to haunt the team once more. LaSalle lacks a serious low-post threat or enough shooters to create space for Giannini�s fleet of slashers.

LaSalle will also have problems again at the other end of the court (45.6% FG percentage defense, 10th in the A-10). Some of the better floor generals in the A-10 had their way with the Explorers and LaSalle is susceptible against larger frontcourts.

Giannini continues to build the program and the foundation has been laid, but the frame is just starting to go up. It�s reasonable to expect LaSalle to creep closer to the 0.500 mark, but a winning season will have to wait until 2008-09.

13-17 (5-11), 13th place

**Nigel Tufnel** · 10-25-2007, 11:21 PM

Next...

RICHMOND
Last year: 8-22 (4-12), 12th place

COACH
Chris Mooney, 3rd year (4th overall)
Record at Richmond: 21-39 (39-51 overall; 43.3% winning percentage)

OVERVIEW

The Spiders are in the second year of a youth movement under third-year coach Chris Mooney (who�s pretty young himself) and the growing pains are far from over. After welcoming seven freshmen last year � three of whom left � Richmond has added five more newcomers.

Building a program anew takes time, however, and Richmond does not have enough size and experience to hasten the process, so the team will have to rely on its four sophomores to lead the way. Fortunately for Mooney two of those sophomores are potential stars. Dan Geriot might be the most talented young center in the A-10 and versatile guard David Gonzalvez was a big surprise as a freshman.

Richmond is not entirely deficient in senior leadership. Power forward Gaston Moliva and swingman Oumar Sylla add plenty of athleticism and experience. Sylla missed half of last season and Moliva sat out all but one game.

And for the first time in Mooney�s tenure, the Spiders will actually have a true point guard on the roster � two of them, in fact. Both are freshmen, but they�ll give Richmond some badly needed speed and playmaking in the backcourt.

While all the youth gives the Spiders hope for the future, it also makes Mooney�s job harder. After the season ended, some players revolted in frustration over the coach�s William Buckley-style offense: slow and deliberate to the point of caricature. Mooney has promised to speed up the offense, but the Princeton style is about finding good shots, not rushing them.

The players have been given a voice. Now they need to talk the talk � and do so in a language that the players and Mooney both understand.

DEPARTED PLAYERS

Brian Morris � Slight 6-5 guard transferred to Towson State to join an older brother who�s on the coaching staff. Morris (8.1 ppg) was forced to handle the ball and help run the offense (2.8 apg) because the Spiders lacked a true point. He did a good job for a freshman playing out of position. He limited turnovers and generally made sound decisions, though his offense suffered. A long-range marksmen in high school, Morris shot just 37.8% overall and 33.8% on treys. His thin frame also handicapped Morris on defense.

Peter Thomas � Former walk-on was the epitome of reliable. He rarely turned the ball over, took good shots (6.5 ppg, 53% FG) and played sound defense. On a more talented team, Thomas would not have started every game, but he lent stability to a young squad.

Drew Crank � The 6-11 center (5.2 pg, 2.4 rpg, 55% FG) decided not to play in his final year. Recruited by former coach Jerry Wainwright, Crank was not a good fit for the current system. His size and post-up ability were never fully utilized and he was unsuited for the zone defenses favored by Mooney. Still, his departure deprives the program of its biggest player. The experienced Crank could have helped against larger A-10 teams.

David Brewster � Rangy 6-6 shooter, the best athlete in last year�s promising crop of freshmen, only played in 13 games (starting five). He was suspended for academic reasons and later transferred. Brewster had the tools to become a good player, but he lacked attentiveness on the court and in the classroom.

RETURNING PLAYERS

Dan Geriot � The 6-9 sophomore (11.9 ppg, 50.4% FG) is not especially quick and doesn�t have great hops, but he might be the most skilled bigman in the A-10. Geriot can shoot the trey (38% 3PG), put the ball on the floor and finish with either hand. Geriot is no slouch in the post, either. He likes to turn and face up for short jumpers, but he also has a variety of moves with his back to the basket. He scored in double figures 19 times, including a career high 27 in a loss to Fordham in the A-10 tournament. Geriot is also dangerous as a passer (42 assists) who finds the cutters, especially from the top of the key. He�s an ideal fit for the Princeton offense.

Geriot�s biggest struggle was physical. Stronger defenders could muscle him up and Geriot lacked the strength to rebound effectively (3.1 rpg) or defend the post. He committed 107 fouls �fouling out of six games - and needs to play smarter on defense. In the off-season, Geriot added 20 pounds to push his listed weight to 235 in an effort to withstand the rigors of the post. He�ll win a greater share of the low-post wars as his body matures and he gets stronger. Before long Geriot could be an All-Conference performer. He�s the key to Richmond�s hopes of returning the program to its winning ways.

David Gonzalvez � Sophomore guard is not very flashy, but he has the skills, toughness and athleticism to be a very good player in the A-10. Perhaps the least heralded recruit in a six-man class, Gonzalvez (9.6 ppg, 40% FG, 3.4 rpg, 2.2 apg) quickly established himself as the second-best player after Geriot. He can play all three wing positions and has the potential to be a superior defender. Heady as well as headstrong, he knows how to take advantage of mismatches. When guarded by bigger defenders, Gonzalvez takes them off the dribble. If matched up with smaller players, he shoots over them or posts up. He wants the ball in his hands at the end of games and doesn�t shy away from the pressure.

What Gonzalvez needs to improve is his shooting (30.4% 3PG) and decision making (65 assists to 64 turnovers). Mooney also has to make sure Gonzalvez doesn�t take too many liberties in his offense. Gonzalvez almost transferred after the season and was the player who pushed the hardest for the coach to loosen the leash.

Ryan Butler � The 6-6 redshirt sophomore, anointed for stardom by Mooney, sparkled some of the time and struggled the rest. Butler has a quick trigger and deep, deep range. In a loss to Old Dominion, he dropped in 5 treys, and he hit 3 treys in five other games. Like Gonzalvez, he�s also got the ball-handling ability and size to drive or post up. Yet Butler made too many poor decisions with the ball (62 turnovers) and took too many hasty shots. His court time fell in conference play and he saw just 5 minutes of action in each of the last two games. Butler has the talent to be an A-10 starter. Now he�s got to show the decision making to go along with an impressive set of skills.

Oumar Sylla � The defense-minded utility player sat out the first 14 games owing to a theft-related incident on campus. When he returned, Sylla showed much improvement offensively. He scored 6.8 points a game and even connected on 9-22 treys (41%) � not bad for a player who had shot 21.7% on 3-pointers for his career. Sylla retooled an ugly-looking jumper and did not rush his shots as much, though his release point is still unusually low. A long and athletic 6-7, however, Sylla usually launched his shots without much trouble. The Spiders would welcome an encore performance in Sylla�s final year, but they don�t need his scoring as much as his defense, speed and experience. With long arms and quick feet, he�s a good fit for the zone defenses Mooney employs.

Gaston Moliva � Mooney hopes to see the 240-pound bruiser after an injury-induced redshirt year (he scored 9 points and grabbed 8 boards in the only game he played). Moliva was lost to surgery after he fractured a bone in one foot and he had similar surgery on the other foot in September, though the problem was considered less severe. He might be back in time to start the season.

Moliva has never achieved the success anticipated by Spider fans after a tremendous freshman season, but he is the toughest and most physical player on the roster and will anchor the Richmond middle. Surprising light on his feet, Moliva is a good shotblocker and rebounder and stout defender in the post. Though not a major offensive threat, he�s capable of scoring 9 or 10 points a game just by being opportunistic. His main job in the Princeton offense is to set picks, roll off screens and crash the glass. Geriot will usually be a focal point on the blocks unless Moliva suddenly unveils a heretofore-lacking post game. The Spiders need him for other things.

Jarhon Giddings �The 6-9 redshirt junior, once a very promising recruit, has been hobbled by a chronic shin condition. Giddings played just 11 minutes a game, averaging 3.2 points and 1.5 boards. He mostly sticks to the perimeter and is decent outside shooter (33% 3PG). Surprisingly he led the team in blocks with 13, but that was mostly a reflection of Richmond�s weak interior defense. Unless he fully regains his health, expect more of the same from Giddings.

Kevin Hovde � Recruited walk-on (3.2 ppg, 15 mpg) started six games and scored 24 points in a loss to a run-and-gun VMI squad, but he failed to reach double figures in any other game. The heady Hovde is a solid all-round player and good outside shooter (10-22 treys, 45.5% 3PG). He won�t become a focal point of opposing defenses, but he has the ability to be a semi-regular contributor in the A-10.

The Spiders continued on next thread....

**Nigel Tufnel** · 10-25-2007, 11:22 PM

More on the Richmond Spiders.....

NEWCOMERS

Kevin Anderson � Speedy 6-0 floor general from Georgia came on strong his senior year before committing to Richmond. He's a good ball-handler and dribble-penetrator with a solid outside shot. He�s one of several smaller players Richmond signed to help run Mooney's offense and supply badly needed defense against the quick point guards that prevail in the A-10.

Justin Harper - Philadelphia native, who spent his formative years in Richmond, was considered talented enough to receive an offer from Providence College in the Big East. The combo forward is a fine athlete with versatile skills. He's a good rebounder and passer and an accurate shooter out to the 3-point line. He's not strong enough to hold down the fort in the paint, though, and is more of an outside-in player at this stage of his career. Harper and sophomore-to-be Dan Geriot eventually could form a potent tandem at the forward slots because of their shooting ability.

Kevin Smith � Athletic swingman from Tennessee was a post player during most of his high school career but switched to point as a senior. Though he doesn�t excel in any one area, Smith is a decent shooter, passer, ball-handler and defender. He has the sort of versatility that Mooney likes for his version of the Princeton offense.

Chris Richard � Combo guard from the West Coast is a good 3-point shooter. He played on a talent-rich squad and did not up big numbers, but Richard displayed suitable skills and physical ability to impress the coaching staff. He is bigger than Anderson and a better shooter than Smith. �Chris wasn't asked to score big points every night,� high school coach Pat Coons told the Richmond Dispatch. �He is a very good defender and very athletic."

Conor Smith � The 6-8 forward from Wisconsin has good genes: His father played in the Big 10 for the Badgers in the 1970s. Smith�s main asset is his ability to stretch defenses. He once hit eight 3-pointers in a single game.

SCOUTING REPORT

Despite all the losses, Richmond was competitive in most of its games. The Spiders won at South Florida and led on the road at halftime at Wake Forest and Virginia Tech. The Spiders also played their best ball at the end. They beat St. Joseph�s 78-68 and Rhode Island 71-69 in the last week of the regular season and lost 63-61 to fifth-seeded Fordham in the A-10 tournament.

Some of those losses will turn into wins this season. The team returns all but one of its key players and should have Moliva and Sylla for the full year. The sophomores have also done a lot of growing up � and not just due to tons of playing time. Geriot and Co. have spent plenty of time in the weightroom. The Spiders won�t get physically mauled again or wear down as easily in the second half.

"A lot of these guys had to grow up quickly," Mooney told the Richmond Dispatch. "I think they did experience-wise. Now their bodies have to catch up."

To make a dramatic leap forward, though, Richmond has to get better in a number of areas. Defense and rebounding were blatant sore spots. The Spiders let A-10 opponents shoot nearly 49% and were outrebounded by a whopping 10 boards a game.

Rebounding "has got to be a huge focus for us," Mooney says.

The return of Moliva and newfound strength of the sophomores will help close the rebounding gap. A more seasoned and athletic Richmond squad better accustomed to Mooney�s switching man and zone tactics can also be expected to play better defense.

Point play and 3-point shooting � a must-have skill in the Princeton offense � also have to improve. With Morris gone, Mooney has to break in another freshman at point, although Gonzalvez can run the offense some of the time.

And while Richmond has some good shooters, the team only hit 35% of its treys to finish 10th in the A-10. Backdoor cuts in Mooney�s offense are less effective if defenders can pack the middle.

The best shooter of the returnees, Ryan Butler, blew hot and cold. Without more consistent shooting, Richmond�s offense could sputter again. The Spiders were last in scoring at a paltry 60.6 points a game.

PREDICTION

When any A-10 team has nine sophomores and freshmen, the future is rarely now. Better things await, just not this year. Mooney�s sophomores and five frosh will have to attend additional sessions in the school of hard knocks.

If they learn their lessons well, Richmond will be a tougher out once league play starts. Geriot gives the Spiders a major presence in the post � low or high � and Gonzalvez is tough to handle on the perimeter. Fifth-year seniors Moliva and Sylla will also make big contributions, and this time around the freshmen don�t have to be fed to the wolves.

Opponents should be particularly wary in the Spider�s lair. A few good teams are likely to feel the sting of an upset. Just ask St. Joseph�s and Rhode Island.

Richmond is almost certain to improve on last year�s 8-win total, but the Spiders still face a hard climb in an increasingly competitive A-10. Consider it a success if last year�s 12th-place finisher takes two or three more steps up the ladder.

Record: 13-16 (5-11), 12th Place

**Nigel Tufnel** · 10-25-2007, 11:24 PM

11th Place -- Temple Owls...

TEMPLE
Last year: 12-18 (6-10), 11th Place

ARENA
Liacouras Center
Seats: 10,206
Average Attendance: 4,312

COACH
Fran Dunphy, 2nd year (19th overall)
Record at Temple: 12-18 (322-181 overall; 64.0% winning percentage)

ROSTER
1 Chris Clark SR PG 5-8 165 Narberth, PA
2 Ryan Brooks SO G 6-4 200 Lower Merion, PA
3 Martavis Kee FR G 6-2 G Fort Lauderdale, FL
10 Luis Guzman SO PG 6-3 180 Paramus, NJ
*13 Mark Tyndale SR WG 6-5 210 Philadelphia, PA
*15 Semaj Inge JR G 6-4 180 Camden, NJ
*22 Dionte Christmas JR G/F 6-5 190 Philadelphia, PA/Lutheran Christian (PA)
23 Ramone Moore FR WG 6-4180 Philadelphia, PA
24 Lavoy Allen FR PF 6-9 225 Morrisville, PA
30 Craig Williams FR F 6-9 240 St. Croix, Virgin Islands
41 Sergio Olmos SO F/C 6-10 220 Spain

*Returning starters

OVERVIEW

The new-look Owls and their modern-day offense were easier to watch under coach Fran Dunphy � except for the losing. The team finished 12-18 in the first season of Temple basketball since 1982 without Hall of Famer John Chaney. It was the school�s first losing record in 24 years.

It wasn�t all bad. Temple lost five games by 5 points or less and ten games 9 points or less. The Owls could have finished .500 if a few balls bounced their way. What really hurt was the lack of any decent players above 6-6. The Owls were crushed on the boards, had virtually no post offense and could not stop the league�s better frontcourts from dominating inside.

Nor did it help that Mark Tyndale, one of the best players in the league, missed the first semester because of poor grades. Starting center Wayne Marshall also left the team for the same reason.

Given all those problems, Dunphy probably deserves praise for eking out 12 victories. He�ll get no such credit, though, if Temple doesn�t surpass its win total this season. The Owls return the two highest scorers in the league � Tyndale and Dionte Christmas � and add a talented four-player recruiting class, including a pair of first-year bigmen both 6-8 or taller. The Owls still might not get much post scoring, but they�ll no longer be defenseless in the middle.

DEPARTED PLAYERS

Dustin Salisbery � On a better team, the versatile and athletic 6-5 swingman would have warranted votes for all-league consideration. An erratic underachiever in his first three seasons, Salisbery turned in his best performance as a senior. He tallied career highs in scoring (16.4 ppg), rebounds (5.0 rpg), assists (2.4 apg) and shooting percentage. He even registered a career-high 48 steals, though Salisbery was generally a subpar half-court defender. One of Dunphy�s primary challenges with the departure of Salisbery is to find a third scorer to complement Christmas and Tyndale.

Dion Dacons � The 6-6 �power� forward did a yeoman�s job inside for an undermanned and undersized Temple squad. He played just as many minutes as a senior as he did in his first three seasons combined. Dacons guarded much bigger players but did a creditable job. He made opponents work hard for baskets, got his hands on a number of balls (33 steals) and led the team in rebounding (6.9 rpg). Dacons (career 56.7% FG) was also his usual efficient self on offense (7.1 ppg) in the few instances when he did shoot. He even hit 15 three-pointers. Temple can find bigger and better players at Dacons� position, but few who are tougher and smarter.

DaShone Kirkendoll � Lightly recruited 6-5 swingman from Dayton was brought to Temple for his long-range gunnery, but Kirkendoll (4 ppg, 37% 3PG) failed to produce consistently. He only played 12 minutes a game and transferred after his junior season.

Anthony Ivory � The 350-pound center played only 58 minutes in two years.

RETURNING PLAYERS

Dionte Christmas � Easily the most improved player in the league, the 6-5 Christmas emerged as Temple�s newest star (20 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2 apg). He led the league in scoring and was named Second Team All-Conference for his effort. It�s a stunning turnaround for a player who averaged just 3.5 points as a freshman.

What makes Christmas hard to guard is his athleticism and versatility. He�s a deadly outside shooter (40% 3PG) but dangerous off the dribble. He has a great first step and big hops, rising quickly for putbacks on missed shots. Fouling him doesn�t do any good, either. He hit 87% of his free throws. Torrid until the very end of the season, Christmas scored 20 or more points 18 times and topped the 30-point mark five times, including a midseason stretch of three straight games. Christmas releases quickly and is hard to block, though he does take plenty of questionable shots. (It�s hard to believe those same shots will all go in for a second year in a row.)

The challenge for Christmas is to make his teammates better. The Owls need him to score, but his offense alone cannot produce a winning record. Defenses can be expected to clamp down even harder and double teams will become the norm. The result should be more opportunities for other Owls to score. Christmas could also do a better job on defense. He stole the ball 45 times and blocked 11 shots, but he didn�t defend with the same vigor he devoted to scoring. If the points of the players he guarded were subtracted from his own total, Christmas� scoring would not look nearly as impressive.

Mark Tyndale � As well as Christmas played, Tyndale might have been the better player by year end. He averaged 19.4 points (2nd in the A-10) and reached double figures in his final 17 games. Tyndale shot a career high 43% from beyond the arc and seized 6.7 boards a game. And don�t forget the 68 assists and 37 steals. He easily would have topped Christmas� totals in both categories had he played just as much. Tyndale was academically ineligible in the first six games, a situation that resulted in his exclusion from the league�s All-Conference teams.

Don�t expect anyone to overlook Tyndale in his final season. The rugged 6-5 forward is a legitimate candidate for player of the year. Few in the A-10 are as versatile. Tyndale is a natural leader who scores inside and out, rebounds and defends. He�s even called upon sometimes to play point and run the offense, although he still exhibits bull-in-a-china shop tendencies

Tyndale made his biggest strides in shooting, long a weakness, and decision making. The evidence can be seen in his 3-point accuracy. Tyndale hit 24 treys in each of his first three seasons, but he took just 56 shots to reach that number as a junior, compared with 75 as a sophomore and 111 as a freshman. Under the watchful eye of Dunphy, a more mature Tyndale has a better idea of what a good shot looks like than he did three years ago. For Dunphy and the Owls to return to their winning ways, Tyndale has to put up big numbers, but he also has to show the freshmen the way. Two players can never beat five.

Semaj Inge � Little used as a freshman, Inge (4.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg) started 26 of 29 games as a sophomore and had his moments, including 17 points in a loss to Cincinnati. The point guard by default, Inge averaged 2.4 assists and did an adequate job running the offense. He handles the ball fairly well and can get into the lane, though he doesn�t always finish because of a slight frame. Inge might have seen more time (21.7 mpg) if he shot well and played better individual defense. He connected on 37.5% of his attempts and just 25% on treys. Though he likes to ball-hawk (37 steals), Inge reaches to much and fouled out of five games. Without improvement in both of those areas, freshman Martavis Kee could start eating into his minutes.

Sergio Olmos � The 7-foot European import is no Spanish Conquistador. He only played 13.5 minutes a game even though the Owls were the smallest team in the A-10. Olmos (2.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 53% FG) is somewhat awkward and not especially assertive at either end of the floor. He doesn�t make himself big in the paint and is slow defensively. While he�s good for a basket and a blocked shot each game, that�s far too little production to justify extended minutes. Unless Olmos steps up, he�ll lose time to the newcomers. The Owls need more production from him, even if he plays just 10 or 15 minutes a game.

Ryan Brooks � Dunphy�s first signee at Temple barely played until the final third of the season, but a pair of strong performances suggest Brooks could become a key cog as a sophomore. He scored 10 points (2-4 treys) in a late-February win over Charlotte, then followed up with 15 points (3-4 treys) in a season-ending loss to St. Joseph�s. A good shooter with ample athleticism, the 6-4 Brooks nailed 11 of 25 three-point attempts. His release looks odd and it�s unclear if he can create his own shot, but he�s the most likely candidate to replace the scoring of Salisbery. He�s not a bad passer or defender, either.

Chris Clark � Senior point guard is a borderline A-10 player, but he�s performed admirably. Clark took great care of the ball � just 25 turnovers � and ran the offense with relative aplomb (75 assists in just 17.5 mpg). He�s small and quick, keeps his head up and has good vision. If Clark shot better from outside (27.6% 3PG) and wasn�t a liability on defense, he might play more. The arrival of several talented bigmen could allow Dunphy to give the 5-8 Clark a bit more time.

Luis Guzman � The 6-2 combo guard barely got off the bench as a freshman and it�s not clear if he has A-10 talent. He played just 36 minutes and took 11 shots, hitting three. Guzman evidently could not shoot, pass or take care of the ball well enough to break into the rotation of a team in need of backcourt help. Guzman is an above-average athlete who was a well-regarded recruit in Chaney�s final class. He�ll get another chance, just like Inge did after a terrible freshman season. Dunphy would be happy to see the same kind of improvement.

Temple continued....

**Nigel Tufnel** · 10-25-2007, 11:25 PM

Temple Owls 11th place continued...

NEWCOMERS

Lavoy Allen � Highly regarded Pennsylvania native is arguably the most gifted young bigmen to enter the league this season. Allen has a soft touch near the basket and is an accurate faceup shooter out to 15 feet. Listed at 6-9, Allen also has long arms and good springs, helping him to block shots and rebound. He�s going to start right away. �We're throwing him to the wolves," Dunphy told the Philadelphia Bulletin. �I wish we had the luxury of bringing him along slowly but that's not happening. He'll be OJT � On the job training.�

Martavis Kee � The 6-2 signee was one of the most highly recruited players in this year�s A-10 class. Kee, a big point guard who likes to score, is a good not great athlete. He handles the ball well and has the size to get to the rim, a valuable quality since the sharpshooter from Florida tends to blow hot and cold. Kee will get every chance to win the starting point position in competition with returnees Inge, Clark and Guzman.

Ramon Moore � The Player of the Year in Philadelphia�s public league, Moore was considered a longshot qualifier when he picked the Owls last spring. Temple evidently would like to redshirt Moore so he can gain strength. Though almost 6-5, he weighs just 180 pounds, and the Owls appear to have enough strength on the wing.

Moore is plenty talented. He�s been called a very smooth athlete with a nice stroke and was a bigtime scorer in high school. Whatever his team needed � points, rebounds, assists, steals � Moore delivered. He�s also a terrific free-throw shooter.

Craig Williams � Big forward put up big numbers in the Virgin Islands (against weak competition) and attracted plenty of attention from U.S. schools. He�s strong and fairly athletic, a good rebounder who can block some shots. How much time he gets will depend on how quickly he responds to a higher level of competition. His weight and conditioning also need work. At the very least, he adds size and depth to a Temple program sorely lacking in both.

SCOUTING REPORT

Although Dunphy runs a motion-based offense, the Temple attack clearly will revolve around Christmas and Tyndale, the top two scorers in the A-10. Both players shot more than 40% from the arc but can score in a variety of ways. Christmas is a slasher-shooter while the more physical Tyndale can back defenders down.

Now Dunphy has to find a third scorer to complement his dynamic duo, most likely rising sophomore Brooks.

Clark and Inge, for their part, make an experienced if unremarkable combination at point. Clark is stingy with the ball when it comes to turnovers and won�t make many bad decisions. Inge likes to roam for steals and can get to the basket. The one big handicap is that neither has shot well in their college careers. Brooks or perhaps the freshman Kee may fill the bill if Dunphy wants more shooters on the floor. In those situations, Tyndale can even slide over to point.

The young bigmen are not expected to contribute lots of points. They just have to get some followup dunks and putbacks and finish plays when the guards draw and dish. Temple will throw the ball into the post from time to time to keep defenses honest, but other teams almost certainly will cheat toward the perimeter.

The main priority of the big guys is to rebound and defend the paint. Temple was outrebounded by 4.5 boards a game and gave up way too many second- and third-chance baskets. The Owls allowed opponents to shoot 44%, whereas Chaney�s teams typically held foes to 40% or less.

�I didn't do a very good job defensively,� Dunphy told the Bulletin. �I've got to do a better job of getting these guys to blame the whole, vs. blaming the individual, and take responsibility as a group for their defense.�

It won�t be quite as easy for opponents to score inside with Allen patrolling the middle, but every player has to do his part, and it starts with the team�s leaders. Christmas has to become a superb two-way player and Tyndale, if he puts his mind to it, has All-Defensive Team capability. Better defense is another way to offset the loss of Salisbery.

PREDICTION

Dunphy�s Owls play a more open and precise offense and will score enough baskets to compete against most teams. Temple averaged 75 points a game, the program�s highest output since 1977. The defense figures to improve as well.

The Owls will also have more balance. The Dunkin Donuts-size hole in the middle will be at least partly filled by the cream of one of the league�s better recruiting classes.

Dunphy himself has a better idea of what his players can do and what he has to do to return Temple to its glory days. He�s still a great coach and Dunphy will put a bigger imprint on the Owls in his second go-around.

After Christmas and Tyndale, however, there�s a big drop-off in talent or experience. A 0.500 record is a reasonable goal, but it�s hard to see Temple doing much better than that.

Record: 14-16 (6-10), 11th place

**Nigel Tufnel** · 10-25-2007, 11:27 PM

NEXT...10th place Charlotte 49ers...

CHARLOTTE
Last year: 14-16 (7-9) 9th place

ARENA
Halton Arena
Seats: 9,105
Average attendance: 6,026

COACH
Bobby Lutz 10th year (19th overall)
Record at Charlotte: 168-112 (349-203 overall, 63.2% winning percentage)

ROSTER
00 Javarris Barnett FR WG 6-5 200 Charlotte, NC
1 Michael Gerrity JR PG 6-0 180 Yorba Linda, CA/Pepperdine
2 Charlie Coley JR F 6-7 220 Lake Worth, FL/Dodge City CC (KS)
3 Dijuan Harris SO G 5-9 170 Charlotte, NC/Hillsborough JC (FL)
5 Gaby Ngoundjo FR PF 6-7240 Little Rock, AR
10 Jerrell Lewis JR PG 6-0 197 Brooklyn, NY/New Hampton Prep (NH)
11 Ian Andersen SO WG 6-4 180 Portland, OR
*12 Leemire Goldwire SR G 5-11 190 Palm Beach Gardens, FL
15 Lamont Mack JR F 6-7 230 Chicago, IL/Angelina College (TX)
21 An'Juan Wilderness FR PF 6-6 215 Dunwoody, GA
31 Charles Dewhurst FR G/F 6-5 185 Charlotte, NC
35 Sean Phaler SR F 6-9 200 Anaheim Hills, Calif./Fullerton JC
41 Phil Jones FR C 6-10 270 Brooklyn, NY/Laurinburg (NC) Prep

*Returning starters

OVERVIEW

It�s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.

At least in Charlotte, it is.

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.

After coming to his senses, a re-energized Lutz chose to stay. He�s recruited like mad to upgrade the roster.

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.

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.

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.

DEPARTED PLAYERS

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. His loss is a classic case of addition by subtraction.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

RETURNING PLAYERS

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

More on Charlotte coming...

**Nigel Tufnel** · 10-25-2007, 11:28 PM

The 49ers continued...

NEWCOMERS

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.

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.

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.�

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.

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.�

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

SCOUTING REPORT

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.

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.

Better frontcourt play would also help the guards by giving them more room to operate. That could lead to higher shooting percentages all around.

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.

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.

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.

"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."

PREDICTION

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.

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.

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.

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.

Record: 16-14 (8-8), 10th place

**Nigel Tufnel** · 10-25-2007, 11:33 PM

NEXT...The Minutemen from UMASS....

A-10 PREVIEW � 9th PLACE

MASSACHUSETTS
Last year: 24-9 (13-3), 2nd place

COACH
Travis Ford, 3rd year (10th overall)

ROSTER

1 Papa Lo FR F/C 6-9 215 Senegal/Winchendon School (MA)
2 Sedale Jones FR WG 6-4 190 Pittsfield,MA/Notre Dame Prep
*3 Gary Forbes SR F/G 6-7 220 Brooklyn, NY/Virginia
5 Ricky Harris SO G 6-2 175 Baltimore, MD/Winchendon School (MA)
11 Gary Correia FR G 6-1 180 Providence, RI/Mount Herman School (MA)
13 Max Groebe FR G 6-4 185 North Miami Beach, FL
*14 Chris Lowe JR G 6-0 160 Mount Vernon, NY
20 Dante Milligan SR F 6-9 215 New York, NY/Pittsburgh
21 Trey Lang FR F 6-7 215 Marrieta, GA
22 Etienne Brower SR F 6-7 215 West Hempstead, NY/Boston University
24 Tony Gaffney JR F 6-8 195 Berkley, MA/Northfield Mount Hermon (MA)/BU
31 Luke Bonner JR C 7-1 245 Concord, NH/West Virginia
33 Matt Glass FR G 6-7 190 Underhill Center, VT/Northfield Mount Hermon (MA)
50 Matt Hill FR F 6-7 210 Middletown, CT/Tilton School (NH)

*Returning starters

OVERVIEW

All-Conference forwards Stephane Lasme and Rashaun Freeman are gone, but all is not lost. The Minutemen return six veterans, an emerging star in Gary Forbes and arguably the second best point guard in the A-10. Third year coach Travis Ford also welcomes what appears to be one of the better recruiting classes in the league.

The Minutemen are due for a makeover, however. For the past two years the team relied on Freeman and Lasme for a potent inside attack. Now that they are gone, Ford plans to revert to former ways. He likes to run and press and rain treys on opponents, and now he thinks he�s got the personnel to do it.

UMass certainly has the motor to spark Ford�s offense. Chris Lowe is a true point guard with great dribble speed, good vision and the ability to get to the basket. Forbes is an inside-out scorer who can create his own shot when the half-court offense sputters.

A few members of last year�s supporting cast, however, have to accept bigger roles. And some of the newcomers have to quickly get over their stage fright.

If all goes according to script, the Minutemen just might - might - be able to book a return trip to the postseason.

DEPARTED PLAYERS

Stephane Lasme � The first native of Gabon to play college basketball in the U.S. set a high standard for future countrymen. An unknown recruit when he arrived, Lasme developed into one of the nation�s best shotblockers. He capped off a spectacular senior season (13.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 61.1% FG) by earning the league�s top award (Player of the Year) and getting drafted by Golden State. In his final year, Lasme expanded his offense and was a force at both ends. His intimidating presence inside (168 blocks, second in the NCAA) will especially be missed.

Rashaun Freeman � The 6-9 forward bounced back from a relatively disappointing junior season and was named to the league�s First Team for the third straight time. He increased his scoring (team-leading 14.7 ppg) and field goal percentage (60.9% FG) and finished third in the A-10 in rebounding (8.3 rpg). Although he sometimes struggled against large, athletic frontlines, Freeman was a constant threat in the post whose presence helped draw defenders away from Lasme and the guards. The two bigmen did a lot of damage in propelling UMass to its first 20-win season and postseason bid in seven years.

James Life � Former juco sharpshooter hit some big baskets and also became the team�s top perimeter defender (48 steals), but his questionable shot selection and penchant for trash talk sometimes hurt the Minutemen. Though Life was productive as a senior (11.5 ppg, 39% 3PG), it was time for him to move on. UMass might miss his long-range gunnery, but not his abrasive attitude toward coaches, teammates and opponents.

Brandon Thomas � Multi-skilled 6-6 athlete (4.0 ppg, 42.9% 3PG) showed flashes of brilliance during his two-year stay in Amherst, but his performance flickered like an aging light bulb. Thomas lost confidence easily and did not gain it back quickly.

Emmanuel �Tiki� Mayben � Heralded red-shirt point guard, a former Syracuse recruit, was given a chance to run the team, but he eventually lost his job to former starter Chris Lowe. Mayben turned the ball over too much (82 turnovers), and like most freshmen, his decision making was spotty. Poor shooting (2.9 ppg, 36.7% FG) and inadequate defense didn�t help his cause. For all those difficulties, Mayben was a capable ball-handler with great court vision. He dished out 127 assists (4th in the A-10) and improved steadily, though his minutes waned near the end of the season after Ford tightened the rotation.

RETURNING PLAYERS

Gary Forbes � The 6-7 forward (13 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 32.7% 3PG) is a legitimate candidate for A-10 Player of the Year. Strong and athletic, Forbes is a versatile scorer who can post up, shoot the trey or attack the basket. A good ball-handler and passer (81 assists), he even played effectively at point when Mayben and Chris Lowe struggled early in the season. He can play some defense, too (31 steals, 16 blocks).

It wasn�t as easy as Forbes apparently thought it would be, however. Starting slowly he averaged 11 points and hit just 26% of his treys in the nonconference portion of the schedule. He took too many bad shots and briefly lost his starting position after several poor performances.

By the time A-10 play rolled around, though, the transfer from Virginia was mostly on top of his game. Forbes put up bigger numbers in conference games, averaging nearly 15 points and 6.3 boards while shooting 41% beyond the arc. He�s one of the best players in the A-10 at creating his own shot and can dominate a game when he�s feeling it. He scored as many as 31 points in a game, grabbed as many as 16 rebounds and dished out up to 8 assists.

What Forbes has to do as a senior is to make better decisions and deliver consistently. He can be a Jekyll and Hyde in the same game, or even the same half. With Lasme and Freeman gone, Forbes will be tempted to try to take over the team to burnish his draft prospects. If he plays selfishly, however, it would only hurt the team and Ford won�t stand for it.

Chris Lowe � After an off-campus altercation, Lowe was suspended for preseason scrimmages and the first game and lost his starting job to Mayben. At the end of December, he worked himself back it the starting lineup because of his steadily improving play and the shaky decision making of Mayben. By year end, Lowe elevated his game to become one of the best point guards in the league. In the Minutemen�s thrilling overtime win over Alabama in the NIT, Lowe was the best player on the floor. He scored a career high 19 points and added 6 assists and 5 steals in a signature performance.

Ford doesn�t expect Lowe (7 ppg) to score like that in every game. The junior point guard is a good creator (4.2 apg, third in the A-10) and good decision maker who makes the Minutemen�s uptempo offense go. He might be the fastest player in the A-10 in going from one end to the other with the ball. He sometimes goes too fast, but Lowe increasingly knows when to step on the gas and when to ease off. And his defense is an underrated aspect of his game. Although physical guards can give him a hard time, Lowe stays low to the ground and has quick hands (35 steals). He makes opponents work when they bring the ball upcourt.

A poor shooter in his freshman season, Lowe has worked diligently to get better. He�s developed an effective lefty runner in the lane that he can loft over almost any defender. His 3-point accuracy also improved to 35% (16-46) from 27.8% as a freshman. He doesn�t look to shoot the threeball, but he will if defenders give him time to set up.

With his talent, speed and decision making, Lowe should become the best point guard in the A-10 not named Drew Lavender. If the Minutemen are going to surprise, Lowe has to take complete command of the offense. The Minutemen cannot maintain last season�s winning ways unless he does.

Dante Milligan � The 6-8 transfer from Pittsburgh will finally get a chance to start six years after he left high school. Older than most players in the A-10 � Milligan turns 24 in February � he�s physically mature, strong and athletic. While he lacks Freeman�s scoring in the post or Lasme�s game-changing defensive ability, Milligan (3.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 49% FG) is good enough to start for lots of A-10 teams. He runs the floor well, is a decent finisher near the basket and can hit faceup jumpers out to 15 feet. He�s also an above-average rebounder and post defender (16 blocks). Milligan is not flashy and he won�t put up big numbers, but he might be good for 8 points and 5 or 6 rebounds a game.

Ricky Harris � Undersized but explosive guard (4.5 ppg, 36% FG) received quality playing time as a freshman and Ford even trusted him in some tight late-game situations. The quick-footed Harris is a fearless penetrator who can drive or dish, but he�s just as prone to launch 3-pointers. He hit two big treys in a win at Louisville and tallied 13 points in a loss to Kentucky. Harris also has the physical tools and mindset to become a topnotch defender (12 steals). �Ricky Harris is a tremendous player,� Ford told the Springfield Republican with his typically exaggerated praise.

As a sophomore, Harris is set to start and will be relied upon heavily. He�ll need to tame some of his aggression and shoot better from outside (25% 3PG). While he seems to have good form, some of his 3-point attempts were ill-advised and more than a few clanked loudly off the rim. Ford likes his players to shoot treys, but 25% won�t cut it. UMass has other players who can shoot better than that. One thing is for certain, though. Harris will score. He forgets his last miss the moment after it leaves his hand.

More UMass to continue....

**Nigel Tufnel** · 10-25-2007, 11:35 PM

More on the Minutemen

RETURNING PLAYERS

Luke Bonner � The four-year junior (1.6 ppg, 1.2 rpg) will get a chance to start after sitting out a year as a transfer and riding the bench for two others � one at UMass and another at West Virginia. Ford says he has looked good in practice and is ready to step up. Only time will tell. Bonner has played far too little to know how he will perform in real games with extended minutes.

Bonner does have size and skills. He�s a 7-footer in a league where such players are about as rare as the hair on Phil Martelli�s head. He�s plenty mobile for his size and there�s no reason he can�t be a decent rebounder and shotblocker. In just 7 minutes a game, he even led the Minutemen in charges drawn with seven.

On offense, Bonner is best suited to play the high post. He�s a good outside shooter and passer, but he�s not a beast on the low blocks. Bonner is more apt to toss up a George Mikan-style running hook than bull his way to the rim. He�s simply not strong enough to impose himself on shorter but stouter defenders.

In his typical hyperbole, Ford has said Bonner possesses all the skills to be a star in the A-10, but he was unable to showcase his talent because he played behind Lasme and Freeman. Minutemen fans themselves are skeptical. They would find a modest contribution to be perfectly acceptable. It�s all they have the right to expect.

Etienne Brower � The Boston University transfer, named to the America East Third Team as a sophomore, suffered a severe ankle sprain before last season and missed the first seven games. By the time he came back, Brower (2.7 ppg, 2 rpg) was unable to crack the regular rotation, especially after his ankle problem flared up again. He never regained full health.

In limited minutes, though, the versatile Brower showed good skills and Ford expects him to play a big role in his final season. When healthy he�s a fine athlete and big leaper. He�s also one of the better 3-pointer shooters (37.5 3PG) on the team and a nifty passer too (24 assists). �He can shoot it, he can handle it. He can do a lot of things,� Ford says.

Brower might also be the Minutemen�s best frontcourt defender, though he�s ideally suited to cover small forwards. He can stay with them outside and is an alert help defender when opponents throw the ball into the post.

NEWCOMERS

Gary Correia - Travis Ford loves good shooters, and Correia is said to be one of the better ones in his class (47% on treys). The quick 6-1 combo guard is a good spot-up shooter who moves well without the ball, though he doesn't look to penetrate much. He�s also a good passer and ball-handler who will back up Lowe at point. He signed late with UMass after getting looks from some Big East schools.

Max Groebe - The confident 6-5 big guard from Miami (via Germany) is a terrific shooter who has connected on as many as 50% of his treys in a season. Groebe likes to catch and shoot and has a quick release. He is also physically strong and willing to mix it up inside, though he's not an A-plus athlete, which hurts him on defense. Groebe got serious looks from South Florida and other big-conference programs before picking UMass.

Trey Lang - The son of former NBA center Andrew Lang is an excellent athlete who plays above the rim. Trey Lang got lots of attention from major schools, but some question his intensity and the Georgia native needs to expand his game. He's mostly an inside player and rebounder. Since he's the most physically mature of the first-year forwards, the 6-8 Lang might be the first frosh bigman off the bench.

Matt Glass - Former Player of the Year in Vermont is most noted for his 3-point proficiency. He's a decent not great athlete who uses his shot to pull defenders out. Glass can get by them when they overcommit, but he's not a good finisher. Although his outside touch is needed at UMass, Glass might need time to develop his body and the rest of his game.

Matt Hill -- Hill caught Ford�s eye because of his versatility and potential offensive skills (shooting) at the four-spot. The undersized power forward is a good athlete with the ability to hit midrange jumpers and even some treys. He's also a solid defender who rebounds well and blocks shots. Hill injured his Achilles tendon and missed his senior year. If he doesn�t regain his full health, he could find it hard to adjust to a higher level of competition after a year off.

Papa Lo - Slender 6-9 Senegal native, who prepped in New England, is long and athletic and said to be a terrific shotblocker. Likened to a young Stephane Lasme, Lo is also very raw offensively and needs time to fill out. �If he gets stronger and stays healthy, there's a place for him with his shot-blocking,� Ford told the Republican. �Immediately? Maybe.�

Tony Gaffney � Another transfer from Boston University, the 6-8 Gaffney is an athletic tweener known for his aggressive defense. He�s reportedly a decent shooter, but there�s little evidence from his days at BU. He averaged 4.5 points and 3.2 rebounds two years ago while playing 17 minutes a game.

Sedale Jones � Former prep star in Western Massachusetts walked on in hopes of earning a scholarship next season, but that�s looking doubtful unless some current players transfer. Jones was noted for his outside shot and scoring ability in high school, but few big programs came nibbling. He�s big, at 6-4, and athletic enough to play in the A-10. He�l l have to show something special, however, to break into the rotation.

SCOUTING REPORT

The starting backcourt appears to be in solid shape. Lowe might be the ideal point guard to fuel Ford�s uptempo attack. He excels on the fastbreak and can break down defenses with the dribble. Sophomore Ricky Harris, an aggressive slasher, had some impressive moments in his first year. He and Lowe might represent the quickest backcourt in the A-10. Whether by harassing ball-handlers or driving to the basket, the pair will try to cause chaos for UMass opponents.

Lowe and Harris might not scare opponents with their outside shooting, however. That might have to come from elsewhere, but the question is who. The team�s best shooter, departed senior James Life, accounted for 45% of the Minutemen�s 3-pointers. No one came close to equaling his production.

Forbes hit than 40% on treys in A-10 play and Brower connected on 38% of his attempts, but Harris struggled and none of the three are lights-out shooters. The best outside threats are freshmen Groebe and Correia. If Massachusetts is going to throw up as many as 30 treys a game � that�s Ford speaking � the Minutemen will have to shoot better than last season�s 34% clip (11th in the A-10).

In the paint, Ford no longer has a dominant low-post scorer or shotblocker and the Minutemen are not a beefy bunch. Yet the quartet of Bonner, Milligan, Forbes and Brower compose the oldest frontline in the A-10. UMass won�t lead the conference again in points in the paint, but the Minutemen should be able to stand their ground against most opponents.

It�s especially critical that the revamped frontline grab its fair share of rebounds. Lasme and Freeman accounted for 18 rebounds a game - almost half the team�s total � and UMass led the league last year (+7.7 margin). Unless the Minutemen rebound well enough on the defensive end, Ford�s plan for an uptempo attack are likely to fizzle.

PREDICTION

Massachusetts won�t match last year�s total of 24 wins, but the program has some talented players and is not lacking for firepower. There�s enough size, balance and experience to compete for a spot in the upper half of the league.

Contributions from a few freshmen and better shooting are essential, but the strength of the team is its upperclassmen. None of the veterans aside from Forbes have played starring roles, but they are mature and have had a taste of winning. If they step up their games and teach the youngsters the ropes, the team should be in decent shape.

Lowe and Forbes are givens. To compete for an A-10 title, however, Ford has to draw much better performances from the likes of returnees Bonner, Brower and Harris. "Etienne is our X Factor,� Ford says. �He and Luke Bonner must have big seasons.�

Bonner himself thinks he�s up to the task. �Last year, I was backing up Rashaun Freeman and Stephane Lasme, but this year, being more assertive is what my role calls for,� he told the Republican. �I know I'll have more of a leadership role."

Still, it�s a lot to ask. While the potential is there, the Minutemen might not have enough star power to take center stage.

Record: 16-14 (8-8), 9th Place

**Nigel Tufnel** · 10-25-2007, 11:39 PM

NEXT...The Billikens

A-10 PREVIEW � 8th PLACE

SAINT LOUIS
Last year: 20-13 (8-8), 7th Place

COACH
Rick Majerus: 1st year (20th overall)
Record at Saint Louis: 0-0 (422-147 overall; 74.2% winning percentage)

ROSTER
00 Dwayne Polk SR PG 5-9 160 St. Louis, MO
1 Danny Brown SR WG 6-4 200 Houston, TX
2 Anthony Mitchell FR WF 6-4 205 East. St. Louis, IL
4 Dustin Maguire SO WG 6-5 205 Bethalto, IL
10 Paul Eckerle FR WG 6-1 175 Washington, MO
15 Barry Eberhardt JR PF 6-7 250 Inkster, MI/Coffeyville CC (KS)
*21 Kevin Lisch JR WG 6-2 180 Belleville, IL
23 Marcus Relphorde FR F 6-7 220 Homewood, IL/American Christian (PA)
*25 Tommie Liddell JR G 6-4 200 E. St. Louis, IL/Hargrave Military (VA)
*32 Luke Meyer SR G/F 6-5 200 Washington, MO
43 Adam Knollmeyer SO F 6-9 235 Linn, MO
44 Bryce Husak SR C 7-0 260 Mt. Vernon, IA

*Returning starters

OVERVIEW

When 10-3 St. Louis lost back-to-back games on the road at St. Bonaventure and at home to Duquesne, coach Brad Soderberg�s fate was sealed. Those losses destroyed hopes of getting to the NCAA tournament and set in motion a train of events that led to the hiring of Rick Majerus.

Rarely have crushed hopes so quickly turned into unbridled optimism.

The new coach needs no introduction. A future Hall of Famer, Majerus has piled up 422 wins to just 147 losses, a gaudy 74% winning percentage. Just as impressive, Majerus has never suffered a losing year in 17 full seasons of coaching.

He�s not about to start now.

Two reasons Majerus can expect to continue his winning ways are juniors Tommie Liddell and Kevin Lisch, arguably the best backcourt tandem in the A-10. The Billikens also return four seniors, making St. Louis one of the oldest teams in the league. What the Bills lack in numbers and sheer talent, they make up with stellar wing play, experience and coaching.

To win 20 games for the second straight season, however, Majerus needs sizable contributions from the program�s two little-used sophomores or a quartet of newcomers. A smallish Billikens squad especially needs help upfront after the loss of 6-10 widebody Ian Vouyoukas.

If the 300-pound Majerus can find a way to plug the hole in the middle with someone other than himself, St. Louis will be a strong contender for the postseason birth that eluded the school in Soderberg�s ill-fated final season.

DEPARTED PLAYERS

Ian Vouyoukas � If the failure to reach postseason can be blamed on one thing, the performance of Vouyoukas might be it. He put up good numbers but did not dominate like he did as a junior, when he was named to the league�s First Team. He scored less (12.4 ppg vs. 13.9 ppg), shot at a lower percentage (51.7% vs. 55%) and got into frequent foul trouble (101 fouls). Vouyoukas was easily frustrated and sometimes disappeared, a nearly impossible trick to perform for a 6-10 270-pounder. Poor officiating didn�t help. Referees called a number of ticky-tack fouls on him. The regression of Vouyoukas cost the Billikens and former coach Brad Soderberg dearly.

Justin Johnson � Enigmatic 6-8 forward (2 ppg, 2 rpg, 44% FG) remained inscrutable till the very end. Though strong and athletic, with seemingly above-average skills, Johnson never found a role. He averaged just 11 minutes as a senior on a team desperate for inside help. Not even Mystery Inc. could solve this caper.

Obi Ikeakor � Once considered the Billikens� bigman of the future, the 6-8, 240-pound freshman left the team after the first semester. Ikeakor redshirted his first year to recover from a knee injury, but he never lost all the weight he gained after surgery.

Horace Dixon � Highly athletic forward struggled academically and left the program after the first semester. He played in only two games.

RETURNING PLAYERS

Tommie Liddell � The do-it-all junior (15.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 47% FG), a Second Team All-Conference selection, is one of the leading candidates for A-10 Player of the Year. He can score anywhere on the court, break down defenses with passing and penetration and rebound better than any guard in the country. Playing all three wing positions, he�s difficult to defend and requires constant attention. During one midseason stretch Liddell scored 20 points or more in six straight games, two shy of the league record. At times he looked like a carbon copy of George Gervin with his silky spin moves and gorgeous finger rolls.

What makes Liddell so dangerous � and what makes him an NBA prospect � is his much improved outside shot. He added the 3-pointer to his repertoire as a sophomore and drained 45.4% of his attempts, quite a turnaround for a player who hit only 2 of 21 treys as a frosh. Liddell canned 8 treys vs. Temple and 5 each vs. URI and St. Bonaventure. He�s not a great outside shooter on the fly, but he�s taller than most defenders and gets his feet set. If opponents get too close, Liddell can blow by them to score himself or create layups for teammates. He�s long and quick and an explosive leaper.

In his third season, Liddell still has plenty of room for improvement. For one thing, he needs to increase his stamina. Liddell played almost 36 minutes a game to lead the league and his performance tailed off near the end of the season. He failed to score in double figures in only five games, but three of them came in late February and March, when Liddell shot 3-17 (17.6%) on treys. He also turned the ball over 99 times, the second highest amount in the A-10. And while Liddell is a good defender (27 steals, 19 blocks), he should be a great one.

Kevin Lisch � Although Lisch is a fine all-round athlete, he�s no Tommie Liddell. He doesn�t dunk very much or wow opponents with his physical tools. Instead he relies on grit, great fundamentals and finely honed skills. The result is no less impressive. Lisch (14.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg) is one of the best two-way players in the league and is just as important to the Billikens� success as his more gifted teammate. When Lisch got hurt last season, St. Louis struggled. The Bills played their best when he was relatively healthy.

The starting point for Lisch is his shooting (41% 3PG). He�s doesn�t need much time to get his feet set and releases the ball quickly. His quick trigger forces defenders to guard him tightly, but Lisch is very aggressive and will try to shoulder his way to the rim if he can�t find space to launch a trey. If he gets to the line, he�s an 82% free-throw shooter. Lisch scored in double figures in the final 14 games, including 28 vs. Charlotte and 26 vs. Richmond.

Lisch is also very smart, like a coach on the floor, and he�s the player who should have the ball in his hands late in the game. He dished out a team-leading 111 assists (3.6 apg), but only turned the ball over 59 times. When the Bills needed a clutch shot, he was usually the one to deliver. No one in the A-10 has hit more big shots in the past two years.

Amazingly, all the time Lisch has to spend scoring and organizing the offense does not detract from his other responsibilities. He�s one of the best perimeter defenders (32 steals) in the A-10 and should be a preseason selection to the All-Defensive team. He gets so close he could probably brush the teeth of his opponents. Expect Majerus to give Lisch more opportunity to gamble in his high-pressure man -to-man defense. Lisch was made to play like that.

Luke Meyer � Senior forward (9.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg) is one of the unsung heroes of the A-10. Though just 6-5, Meyer constantly battles bigger forwards in the paint, often to a standstill. He�s strong for his size, positions himself smartly and uses quick hands to strip careless opponents (33 steals). At times he gets overwhelmed, but Meyer mostly does a good job. He�s such an overachiever that he�s certain to become a Majerus favorite.

Meyer�s offense is similarly workmanlike. He�s in constant motion, makes clever passes and does not take many bad shots (49% FG). He sneaks in for offensive rebounds and finishes well near the basket, sometimes using the glass to bank shots. What would help is if Meyer could shoot more accurately from distance to help stretch defenses and pull bigger defenders from the paint. Meyer has a nice looking shot, if a somewhat slow release, and he regularly cans midrange jumpers. It�s hard to believe he cannot do better, but he�s only a career 27% 3-pointer shooter.

Dwayne Polk � Senior point guard (5.1 ppg, 2.4 apg) has never developed into a frontline starter, but he�s a solid reserve and sometimes is part of a three-guard offense with Lisch and Liddell. What he gives St. Louis is a good on-the-ball defender whose quickness can change the tenor of the game, especially at home. Every now and then Polk will have a scoring outburst and he can generate baskets with his defense, but he�s never been a regular producer. Polk does not shoot well (38% FG, 31% 3PG) and he�s too small to finish consistently when he penetrates the lane. He only scored a total of 6 points in the last six games of the year. Polk has speed and talent. The question is whether Majerus can milk it out of him every game.

Danny Brown � The 6-4 wing guard hit a plateau as a junior. He averaged 4.8 points and 2.1 rebounds a game while shooting 33% from the arc, the same numbers as his sophomore year. He�s stronger and more athletic than many guards in the A-10 and does not lack for skills, but Brown has never performed up to his capabilities. Like Polk, he has a big game now and then, but often disappears. He only scored in double figures once in 19 conference games. What Polk and Brown are both about to find out is whether it�s them or the prior coaching staff. Soderberg kept tight control over his players. Perhaps more freedom and responsibility under Majerus will set them loose. Before that can happen, though, Brown has to get healthy. He had knee surgery in the offseason and might not be ready by the first game.

More on SLU to come...

**Nigel Tufnel** · 10-25-2007, 11:40 PM

More on SLU

RETURNING PLAYERS

Bryce Husak � After nearly five years, the Billikens might receive a modest return on their investment in the slow-developing 7-footer. He played his best basketball at the end of his junior year, highlighted by a career high 10 points and 6 rebounds in the team�s victory over Massachusetts in the A-10 Tournament. Husak also gave the Bills quality minutes in an early-February win at St. Joseph�s.

Husak (2.1 ppg, 2 rpg, 47% FG, 14 blocks) won�t regularly score down low or fill the lane on the fastbreak. He does not have great hands and is not fleet of foot. What the fifth-year senior can do is set picks, grab a few boards, clog the paint and block shots. Majerus knows how to deploy bigmen as well as any coach in the country. He�ll figure out the best use for Husak, even if it�s just a few minutes a game.

Early on, that�s probably all Husak be able to play. He suffered a stress fraction in his left foot and was unable to practice. He needs to improve his conditioning and acquire first-hand experience with the new system Majerus has installed before the coach trusts him on the floor.

Dustin Maguire � Recruited as an outside shooter, the 6-5 Maquire only sank 1 of 8 three-pointers in 70 minutes of action. He�ll have to prove himself quickly to Majerus or lose out to freshmen Mitchell and Relphorde, both of whom are far more athletic and better defensively.

Adam Knollmeyer � Second-year power forward barely played as a frosh (83 minutes), but he�ll get another chance on a Billikens team short of post players. He seems to know how to play with his back to the basket and has decent hands. Yet Knollmeyer lacks sufficient quickness to pose a major threat down low and he�s likely to have trouble defending more athletic forwards. If he improves his footwork and conditioning, Knollmeyer could find a role. At 6-9 and around 240 pounds, Knollmeyer brings plenty of beef. He could give St. Louis a physical presence in the paint if he learns to toss his weight around.

NEWCOMERS

Anthony Mitchell � Tough and tenacious, the 6-4 Mitchell is an athletic slasher with a quick first step who's active around the glass. He thrives in transition, rebounds very well for his size and has above-average potential as a defender. Michell is not a great shooter, though, and needs work on range and consistency. St. Louis has plenty of time to give newcomers. Figure on Mitchell and Marcus Relphorde to earn major minutes if they show a ready ability to grasp coach Majerus� schemes and supply the effort he requires.

Marcus Relphorde - Rangy 6-7 swingman from the Chicago area received late looks from major programs and reportedly was offered a scholarship by several other A-10 schools. He is a good 3-point shooter who can also take defenders off the dribble. During a year in prep school he expanded his game and added some muscle. The Billikens need another shooter with the athleticism to defend, so Relphorde could get plenty of minutes if he stays focused. He has a reputation as an up-and-down player.

Paul Eckerle � A top player in the St. Louis area, Eckerle is the cousin of Luke Meyer and one of two players added after Majerus was hired in April. The 6-1 combo guard is a dead-eye shooter, hitting 44% of his 3-pointers and more than 80% of his free throws as a senior. He gives St. Louis additional firepower on the bench. As a bonus, he�s such as good student that he�s also eligible for an academic scholarship. Majerus can free up his scholarship if a good recruit becomes available.

Barry Eberhardt � Stout 6-7 forward is the heir apparent to Vouyoukas. While he�ll give up height to opponents, the 250-pound Eberhardt has the girth to carve out space inside. And he can be difficult for bigger players to guard because Eberhardt is a good outside shooter (40%-plus 3PG) and passer mobile enough to put the ball on the floor.

The prospect of St. Louis competing for the league title could well depend on whether Eberhardt generates similar production in Division 1 ball � no sure bet based on the recent performance of jucos in the A-10. Yet the Billikens don�t have much size or skill upfront and need Eberhardt or one of the returnees to elevate their game at both ends of the court.

SCOUTING REPORT

The Billikens only have a few high-level Division 1 players, but no one in the country is better than Majerus at making lemonade out of lemons. Fortunately Majerus has just enough sugar (Lisch) and honey (Liddell) to sweeten the St. Louis pot. In different ways each player puts tremendous pressure on opponents. Both are triple threats who can shoot, dish or attack the basket off the dribble.

They just need a little more help from their teammates. St. Louis was the third lowest scoring team in the A-10, averaging just 66 points. Although Soderberg repeatedly promised his team would run, he was a conservative coach at heart who had no stomach for wide-open offenses.

Majerus is not a disciple of Paul Westhead, but he likes to put pressure on opponents. He plans to take advantage of the ball-handling capabilities of Lisch, Liddell and Polk to speed up the tempo.

�We want to push it,� Majerus told Rivals.com. �We want to break. We want to get out in transition.�

The Bills need to generate easy baskets in transition because the inside game appears nonexistent. Even though he did not play up to par, Vouyoukas regularly attracted two, three and even four defenders, freeing up space for the perimeter players to shoot or drive. Now that�s gone.

Husak, the 7-footer, has shown very little ability to score, while sophomore Adam Knollmeyer doesn�t look like the answer. Majerus hopes the 6-7 juco Eberhardt can give the Billikens some scoring in the paint or at least pose a threat from the high post with his shooting and passing.

A more critical worry is rebounding. The Billikens frontcourt players as a group are not especially quick and will have to rely on good positioning and boxing out to win the battle of the boards. Fortunately they�ll get a key assist from Liddell, a one-man fastbreak once he snares a rebound.

The defense is less of a concern. St. Louis finished first in field-goal percentage defense, barely allowing opponents to shoot over 40%. Majerus is also a stickler for defense, though he takes a very different approach. Instead of packing the paint like Soderberg did, Majerus favors high-pressure man-to-man and ball denial. The Billikens won�t finish last again in steals.

�We're going to put a priority on defending and rebounding,� Majerus told Rivals.com.

PREDICTION

Rick Majerus is raring to go after years of battling health problems and it would be foolish to underestimate him. Even though he did not inherit a roster full of talent, his coaching ability alone should make St. Louis a factor in the race for the A-10 title. He�s won at least 20 games in 13 of 17 full seasons and has never lost more than 14 games in one year.

Nor is Majerus playing with an empty deck. He has a pair of aces in Lisch and Liddell and can build a winning hand around them. It�s vital that they stay injury-free, however. The Billikens have precious little depth and it�s worth noting that the team�s struggles last year coincided with an injury to Lisch. There is no one on the roster who can pick up the slack when one of the two L�s are away from the table. Meyer is a Jack of all trades while Polk and even a healthy Brown are a pair of wild cards.

The big coach�s bigmen are, well, the biggest concern. Majerus doesn�t need a superhuman effort from them, but they have to be able to contain the better frontcourts in the A-10. That�s where Husak could be huge, literally. He�s not easy to move or shoot over and he disrupts foes with his shotblocking.

Getting offense from the bigmen would be a bonus. The Billikens hope Eberhardt can add some scoring punch down low or draws big defenders away from the paint with his outside shooting. If he can do that, Lisch and Liddell will be tough to contain � and the Billikens hard to beat.

Expect some rockiness early on, however, and an increasingly competitive A-10 will be no picnic in the park. The Bills should get close to 20 wins again, but it will take some good health, good luck and a little bit of Majerus magic to finish among the top four in the league or get an NCAA bid.

Record: 18-11 (9-7), 8th place

**Nigel Tufnel** · 10-25-2007, 11:42 PM

NEXT...The Cryers from Dayton...

A-10 PREVIEW � 7th PLACE

DAYTON
Last year: 19-12 (8-8), 8th place

ARENA
Dayton Arena
Seats: 13,455
Average attendance: 12,266

COACH
Brian Gregory, 5th year (5th overall)
Record at Dayton: 75-49 (75-49 overall; 63.7% winning percentage)

ROSTER
0 Mickey Perry SO G 6-2 193 Maywood, IL/Wisconsin
*2 Brian Roberts SR WG 6-2 175 Toledo, OH
3 Andres Sandoval Sr. 6-2 198 Milford, MA/Richmond/Santa Fe (NM) CC
11 Stephen Thomas FR PG 6-1 164 Indianapolis, IN
14 London Warren SO PG 6-0 180 Jacksonville, FL
*15 Charles Little JR F 6-6 237 Cleveland, TN
23 Chris Wright FR F 6-8 214 Trotwood, OH
32 Marcus Johnson SO G 6-3 193 Akron, OH
33 Jimmy Binnie SR WF 6-7 211 Johnston, IA
34 Devin Searcy FR F/ C 6-10 208 Romulus, MI
*41 Kurt Huelsman SO C/F 6-10 240 St. Henry, OH
54 Thiago Cordeiro JR F/C 6-9 220 Brazil/Barton CC (KS)

*Returning starters

OVERVIEW

The Flyers looked every bit like a postseason team to start the 2006-07 season, winning nine of their first 10 games, with victories over eventual NCAA Tournament participants Louisville and Creighton. The great start petered out in late December after Dayton suffered back-to-back blowouts at Pittsburgh and North Carolina. Those defeats began a stretch in which Dayton lost 10 of 16 games and saw its chances of a postseason bid crash and burn.

The source of Dayton�s difficulties were not hard to figure. Erratic point play, inadequate post production and lackluster offensive support for scorer deluxe Brian Roberts all contributed to the team�s breakdown.

Coach Brian Gregory tried to address those problems with one of the better recruiting classes in the A-10 and the league�s best newcomer, but he still needs the veterans to lead the way. Although Dayton finished the season 19-12, the Flyers are not going to rise to the top of the A-10 heap on the back of newcomers, even someone as gifted as freshman sensation Chris Wright.

DEPARTED PLAYERS

Monty Scott � Though skilled and athletic, Scott never fulfilled his promise. The last of former coach Oliver Purnell�s recruits, he was consistently inconsistent during his five years at Dayton. He played lackluster defense � just 10 steals in his last two seasons combined � and became one-dimensional on offense. In an injury-shortened senior season, Scott (10 ppg, 4.4 rpg) took 60% of his shots from behind the arc (39% 3PG). Aside from a late barrage in a win over Creighton, he seldom asserted himself in late-game situations. Great Scott he was not.

Norman Plummer � Undersized 6-6 forward (8.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg) was encouraged to transfer after a troubled junior season in which he was suspended twice. Plummer was a clever scorer around the basket, but like several other Flyers in recent years, he bulked up too much and lost some quickness. The added weight didn�t really help; Plummer was usually overmatched down low. Yet his experience and willingness to get physical cannot be discounted. A youngish Flyers squad could miss his presence early on.

Desmond Adediji � The 290-pound sophomore transferred after a season on the pine (just 9 minutes all year). He showed promise as a freshman, but the supersized Adediji did not lose enough weight to satisfy Gregory. The coach thought he was not fit enough to be a regular contributor.

Nick Stafford � Springy big forward, once considered a promising recruit, never really developed. He played just 83 minutes in his final year.

RETURNING PLAYERS

Brian Roberts - The 6-2 shooting guard, voted to Second Team All-Conference, is the most lethal offensive weapon (18.5 ppg, 45.3% 3PG) in the A-10. Somehow Roberts finds a way to score even when blanketed by defenders. He is a deadly long-range shooter at a standstill or on the move. Roberts is also dangerous off the dribble. He�s a good ball-handler who gets into the lane to loft floaters and running one-handers over opposing bigmen. And he�s deadly at the line (89.9% FT). As a junior, Roberts topped the 20-point mark 13 times and peaked at 34 in a win over LaSalle. Roberts only failed to reach double figures in three games, but the Flyers won all three.

Roberts is not a selfish player. When foes double team him, as they often do, Roberts has good vision and can hurt them with his passing (83 assists). He might have topped 100 assists if his teammates did a better job of finishing plays. Because of his teammates� shortcomings, Dayton has grown too dependent on Roberts� scoring over the past two seasons. He logged the most minutes on the team (35.6 mpg, 2nd in the A-10) and handled the ball in almost every late-game situation. Roberts is a one-man wrecking crew, but he can�t rebuild the Flyers into a postseason team without more help.

Charle Little � Explosive 6-6 power forward grew by leaps and bounds as a sophomore. Little more than doubled his scoring (10.5 ppg, 52% FG) and rebounding (5.2 rpg) and became a reliable option inside. He reached double figures in 17 games, including seven of the last eight, capped by a 28-point outburst in a loss to Xavier. He also hauled in a career-high 16 boards in a win over Temple. A poor passer as a freshman, Little even dished out 36 assists and did a better job in recognizing double teams.

Little is not a classic low-post scorer, but he rarely shoots beyond 10-12 feet. He�s gets open with constant movement and can use the dribble to beat bigger defenders with ease. He�s also likes to run the baseline and is a monster on the offensive glass. He has great hops and gets up quick for rim-rattling dunks. His defense (23 steals, 11 blocks), a weakness as a freshman, has come a long way, too. The Flyers need Little to expand his offense and hit the boards even harder as a junior. He�s the strongest player and most experienced �bigman� on the roster. Better free-throw shooting would also help, especially in tight games. He was a miserable 54% from the line (and 48% as a frosh).

Andres Sandoval � The 6-4 guard, who started his career in Richmond, did not look anything like the player who suited up for the Spiders three years ago. Last season he was bigger and slower, less effective defensively and a diminished offensive threat (5.9 ppg, 33.6% FG, 29% 3PG). Part of his problem stemmed from a broken foot suffered in preseason. He missed the first five games and never got into tip-top shape. Yet Sandoval also made plenty of bad decisions (49 turnovers) that could not be blamed on his body. His playing time yo-yoed and Gregory could never be sure how Sandoval would perform.

Sandoval has always had the athleticism and skills to be a topflight player, even an All-Conference performer. His career has been interrupted by one setback after another, however, and it�s unrealistic to expect him to tap his full potential as a senior. Before his final season, though, Sandoval lost weight and improved his conditioning. He�ll get another chance to nail down the starting point position, though Sandoval will get pressed by rising sophomore London Warren.

When he�s in shape, Sandoval is a good defender and legitimate offensive threat. He�s a decent shooter and passer and has the strength and quickness to get to the basket. The Flyers don�t need him to put up a lot of points. What they need most is better decision making and distribution of the ball.

Marcus Johnson � High-flying freshman (6.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg) scored 23 points in his first college game, but that turned out to be the highlight of his season. He only reached double figures in six other games and never scored more than 14 points. He scored 5 or fewer points in 14 games. His low offensive output is easy to explain. Johnson is basically a small forward in a 6-3 body and a poor shooter to boot (31% 3PG). Most of his baskets came on offensive rebounds or in transition. He was a liability in half-court sets.

Despite his lack of offense, Johnson still proved a valuable contributor. He�s an advanced defender (23 steals, 10 blocks) for his age and can guard three positions. He also plays with great energy and intensity and gives the Flyers a big dose of athleticism. If he improves his shot, he could develop into top A-10 player, but Johnson has a lot of work to do. In his second season, he might even lose minutes to newcomer Mickey Perry and highly acclaimed freshman Chris Wright. Perry is a better shooter and the bigger Wright is a true small forward.

London Warren � Sophomore point guard (2.4 ppg, 2.5 apg) is superfast and gets up the floor like a speeding bullet, but he needs to learn to play at a locomotive�s pace. Too often the target of his passes were the hands of opponents (60 turnovers to 79 assists). Warren has a tendency to leave his feet too soon or stop his dribble too quickly, especially when pressed. By the end of last season, though, he was making progress. Warren averaged 23 minutes in the last seven games, compared to just 11.8 minutes in the first 24 contests. He delivered his best performance in a win over Charlotte in the A-10 tournament, dishing out a season-high 8 assists to just one turnover.

Warren also has to improve his shot (38% FG) so defenses won�t sag off. He had trouble finishing drives to the basket and his coarse-looking jumper was the opposite of Roberts� silky smooth release. At the other end of the court, Warren can be a pesky on-the-ball defender (27 steals), and that could become an area of strength as he gets older. There�s much to like about Warren, but his game needs plenty of sandpaper and muscle.

More on the Cryers to come....

**Nigel Tufnel** · 10-25-2007, 11:43 PM

More on the Cryers...

RETURNING PLAYERS

Kurt Huelsman � Hard-working 6-10 center didn�t do anything special as a freshman (3.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 48% FG), but he started all 31 games and gave the smallish Flyers a presence in the post. Huelsman is intelligent, fairly athletic and fundamentally sound. He doesn�t have any �wow� in his game, though, and won�t dominate at either end. Only once did he reach double figures in points and he never hit that mark in rebounds.

If he makes a typical sophomore�s progress, Huelsman could become a solid player in a league in which size commands a premium. He is capable of a modest increase in scoring and rebounding as his body fills out and he could become a steady interior defender. What Huelsman needs to show is more assertiveness and better decision-making, especially when he�s double teamed. He gets swallowed up easily by multiple defenders.

Jimmy Binnie � At some point following Binnie�s promising freshman debut, his outside shot was apparently abducted by aliens. The onetime sharpshooter from Iowa � could it be the cornfields? � has only hit 32.7% of his 3-pointers in the past two years. In his first season, he shot almost 39% behind the arc. What�s more, Binnie�s free-throw shooting has fallen from 80% two years ago to 67% as a junior.

Since jumpers rarely return after a two-year absence, Gregory cannot count on higher production from Binnie (4.3 ppg). He�ll still get 10 to 15 minutes a game, and he�ll have an offensive explosion or three, but he doesn�t figure to play a major role. The rest of his game (2.8 rpg, 1.2 apg) is not good enough to compensate for so-so shooting.

NEWCOMERS

Chris Wright -- The league's best prospect, Wright is a local player sought by a number of major programs. He's an explosive leaper who can dunk with the best, rebound and block shots. Like many top athletes, Wright is a mediocre shooter who needs to expand his repertoire. He's unlikely to be a consistent scorer as a freshman, but Wright has the talent to blossom quickly into an A-10 star. In his first year, he'll be expected to fills the lanes, defend, rebound � and make some highlight-reel plays. If he shows an improved outside touch, the Flyers could even leap right back to the top of the A-10. Wright could have that much impact.

Mickey Perry - Transfer from Wisconsin will gain eligibility in December. Perry was a well regarded recruit in high school who was known as an outstanding shooter. He's an above-average athlete and solid defender but his ball-handling is considered suspect. At Dayton, he won't be asked to handle the ball a great deal, but the Flyers sure could use another good shooter to stretch defenses and relieve the pressure on Roberts. Dayton could be much improved if the team can field another shooter. The past two editions of the Flyers have suffered from inadequate shooting and scoring.

Thiago Cordeiro � The 6-9 Brazilian was the top shotblocker in junior college, swatting 145 shots and averaging 4.3 blocks a game. He�s also supposed to be a decent faceup shooter, though offense is not his forte. What Gregory wants from Cordeiro is a defensive presence down low. "He has a talent you can't teach in blocking and altering shots,� Gregory told the Dayton Daily News. �He has a very good feel for that. Once he gets a grasp of the total defensive concepts, he'll really blossom.�

Devon Searcy -- The long and athletic center, another promising recruit, is the sort of bigman Dayton has been lacking since joining the A-10. Searcy will need time to develop his offense, but he's got the size and presence to help with interior defense and rebounding. If he�s healthy enough after preseason surgery, he'll get a chance to spell Huelsman and contribute as a shotblocker, a skill rarely found on the Flyers.

Stephen Thomas - Heady combo guard from Indianapolis is a good passer and ballhandler who likes to get teammates involved and doesn�t shy away from taking the big shot. Thomas will be groomed to step into the regular rotation after the graduation of seniors Roberts and Sandoval.

SCOUTING REPORT

Dayton has generally been a good if unspectacular defensive team under Gregory, but he�s imported a higher level of athleticism and added some shotblockers. The Flyers may be ready to generate more offense from steals and blocks, areas where Dayton has often lagged. Cordeiro could be the biggest surprise if he blocks as many shots as he did in the juco ranks. He could make Dayton�s defense among the best in the league.

The addition of Wright, Searcy and Cordeiro should also shore up Dayton�s interior game, especially in the rebounding department, though it�s hard to expect a steady supply of post scoring from the trio of newcomers. Rising junior Charles Little, the strong but undersized power forward, will have to carry that load.

Just as imperative is better point play. Warren came on strong at the tail end of freshman year, though his game still has gaping holes. He gets up and down the court as fast as any guard in the league and has a chance to be a great on-the-ball defender. He needs to make better decisions and hit enough shots to keep opponents honest.

Senior Andres Sandoval, for his part, lost weight in the off-season and is determined to end his checkered college career on a positive note. He�s a better player than he�s showed. Strong performances from both Warren and Sandoval would allow Roberts to rest more, handle the ball less and focus on scoring. He won�t fade again down the stretch if he�s fresh.

The Flyers also have to find another outside shooter or two. Last year, Roberts accounted for 54% of the 3-pointers made by players now on the Dayton roster. Warren won�t help much, but Sandoval and Binnie have the ability, if not the confidence. It may fall to the Wisconsin transfer Perry to fill that role when he suits up in late December.

PREDICTION

Gregory believes he�s found the missing ingredients to cook up a postseason invitation. The Flyers are deeper and more athletic, with bigger size upfront and more options on the wing.

The key addition is superfrosh Chris Wright, whose incredible athleticism is rarely seen in Dayton any more. He�s not a smooth scorer, but his explosiveness could help the Flyers much like Derrick Brown energized archrival Xavier. It�s also not hard to expect improvements from several returning players, especially point guard London Warren.

What�s less clear is whether Gregory has found the third leg to support the Dayton offense. He�s been looking for two years without an answer. Roberts is a stud and Little may become one, but those two are not enough. Dayton needs consistent scoring from a few more players if their postseason aspirations are going to take flight.

Propelling the Flyers forward is the best fanbase in the league. Dayton almost always wins at least six conference games at home. Acting as a headwind, however, is arguably the toughest conference schedule in the league. The Flyers have to face Xavier, Rhode Island and St. Louis twice. Last year, Dayton finished 1-5 vs. those teams.

The Flyers cannot afford a repeat. If they can get a split with those three teams and steal a few more wins away from the Arena � Dayton was a poor road team last year � the school could keep in the hunt for regular-season A-10 title until the first week of March.

Record: 18-11 (9-7), 7th place

PreSeason A10 Team Capsules

PreSeason A10 Team Capsules

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