2009-10 Men's Basketball
Preview
Bethany College Bison
(17-12 Overall, 9-3 PAC)
Even though they have their third head coach
in as many seasons and six of the top eight players from last
year are gone, the Bethany men’s basketball team is still hoping
to keep up their recent string of success in 2009-10, which
includes five consecutive trips to the postseason.
The new season tips off for the Bison Nov. 16 at LaRoche, with
PAC action slated to open up Dec. 2 at Westminster.
Head coach Andrew Sachs takes over on the Bethany sideline after
spending the last five years as an assistant at Holy Cross. The
team he takes over, which went 17-12 last year, finished as the
PAC runner-up and earned an ECAC Tournament berth, has just two
starters back in senior forward Joe Testa,
an Honorable Mention All-PAC choice last year, and junior
forward Ryan McFadden.
Although there are many new faces trying to get adjusted to one
another, Sachs says his team is doing its part to get ready for
the new season.
“Preseason has gone very well and we’re trying to get better
every day,” said Sachs, who helped Holy Cross to four Patriot
League Championship games and the 2007 title. “There is a large
learning curve for the kids working with their third head coach
in three years and outside of Testa and McFadden, most of our
guys haven’t played heavy minutes before. But the preseason has
given me a lot of time to evaluate everyone and try to get some
semblance of a line-up and rotation, which should be settled by
mid-January.”
The Bison’s strength appears to be in the front court. Testa was
the team’s second-leading scorer at 12.3 points per game last
year and first in rebounding with 7.9 boards per contest.
McFadden worked his way into the starting line-up by the end of
the season and put up 4.3 points and 3.3 rebounds a game.
Joining them is senior Jonas Ankrom (Canonsburg,
Pa./Canon-McMillan), who averaged 7.6 points and 3.1 rebounds as
a key bench player for the 07-08 PAC Championship team. He was
poised for a breakout last year, but an injury forced him to sit
out all season.
Another returning player is sophomore Jimmy Reeves, who averaged 3.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and
blocked 23 shots as a freshman. Newcomers in the front court
include sophomore transfer Reggie Baptiste and freshman
Brady Pacific, giving Sachs plenty of
options in the paint.
“Guys who rebound and do the little things well will play and
we’ll start with two of our captains Testa and McFadden,” said
Sachs. “Ankrom is coming back off an injury and could also
start, but will certainly help with depth. Reeves and Baptiste
will get some minutes and Pacific could contribute once he gets
used to the system and learns to play at the college level.”
On the wings, the Bison will turn to a senior and freshman to
start early on, with bench help coming from two inexperienced
players. Senior Jay Lyonett averaged 2.6
points in 27 games last year off the bench but elevates into a
starting position this year, while freshman Nick Wilcox will start at the three spot. Junior
Dustin Opalka, who will also see time
at the point, and freshman Damien Green will be the top reserves, with sophomore
Ryan
Summers and freshmen
Jason Marshell and Rahlin
Watson also in the mix for minutes.
“Lyonett is a senior who has worked really hard and will be the
starter at the two-guard to start the season,” said Sachs. “If
he works on a jump shot, Wilcox is going to be a really good
player in the league. He’s a quick learner and is good at
getting into passing lanes. Green is a freshman who can be a
solid player and challenge those two. Opalka is versatile who
will play a little on the wing, as well as the point.”
The biggest question mark Sachs has to get answered quickly is
at the point guard spot. It’s shaping up as a three-man race
between Opalka, who played limited minutes as a freshman and
missed all of last year because of injury, junior Nick Thomas, who has seen only spot time
during his first two years, and freshman Deonte Harrell. The new Bison coach is hoping one of
the three raises their game to claim the position because he
says point guard play will be the key to Bethany’s fortune this
year.
“Nothing is set at the point and it’s a battle between three
guys in Opalka, Thomas and Harrell,” said Sachs. “We have two
guys who have hardly played in their previous years and a
freshman, so somebody has to step up and become a leader. I
think the success of the season will depend on one of those
three stepping up.”
In addition to the point guard situation, Sachs is also
concerned about his team’s shooting on the perimeter, which took
a hit with some of the losses from last year.
“Replacing six the top eight players from the year before is
never easy,” said Sachs. “Our front court is deep and versatile,
but the perimeter shooting and overall backcourt play is a bit
of a concern. Lyonett and Opalka can shoot a little, but a lot
of the better shooters from last year are gone. I believe you
win with guards because they handle the ball, hit shots, get
into scoring areas and also stop penetration on defense.”
Even with the inexperience issues facing his team, Sachs says
the work ethic and the program’s desire to continue their
success, which includes a PAC-record 12 league titles, is a
motivating factor as they stay focused on improving throughout
the campaign.
“Our guys embrace and care about the winning tradition that has
been established here,” said Sachs. “We need to stay healthy and
continue to get better because our goal is to be playing our
best basketball in February heading into the PAC Tournament."
Additional Information:
2009-10 Schedule
2008-09 Final
Stats
Geneva College Golden Tornadoes
(8-17 Overall)
In most cases when it comes to athletics, it doesn't
benefit anyone or any team when you look back at the past. Whether the
results were good or bad, a new season demands its own respect and
attention from coaches and players. In relation to the Geneva College
men’s basketball season from a year ago, it would be best to put its
8-17 record in the past and move forward into a new season.
Head coach Jeff Santarsiero is not accustomed to
his teams limping to the finish line like was the case a year ago.
Santarsiero has compiled 212 wins for the Golden Tornadoes in 14 years
at the helm and will demand better results in 2009-10. “We simply need
to put last year behind us,” explains Santarsiero. “We had many young
guys gain valuable college experience along the way and we hope those
same guys will help us gain better results this year.”
Santarsiero and the Golden Tornadoes will need to
fill the void left by the graduation of starting point guard Justin
Nardi. But outside of Nardi, the cupboard is far from empty. Geneva will
welcome back 11 lettermen and five previous starters for the upcoming
year. Brian Hill, who only appeared in seven games last year, returns
healthy after missing the majority of the season with an ankle injury.
Leading the returning class from a year ago is leading scorer and
rebounder Rich Colick. Colick posted 16 points and 7.5 rebounds per
game. He had much offensive help in the names of Dave Phillips (13.6
pt/gm), Brandon Harvey (10.5 pts/gm) and Lambros Svingos (8.7 pts/gm).
While the offensive numbers are impressive for the
handful of starters returning this year, Santarsiero wants to speak only
about these same guys buying into his defensive principles that will
keep the opponents from out scoring a powerful offensive unit. “We have
to stop people,” says Santarsiero. “Our defense last year was
unacceptable and we have made a concerted effort to improve on that end
of the floor and I truly believe our guys will be better prepared to get
key stops throughout the season.” Geneva allowed opponents to score over
81 points per game and shoot close to 49% from the field. Those numbers
will have to drastically improve if the Golden Tornadoes hope to turn
the corner in the win column.
In addition to the five returning starters, Geneva
will also welcome back six players with significant playing experience
back to the mix. Included in that group are seniors Matt Blocki and
Nate Reep, who comprise half of the 2010 senior class along with
Conlan Walsh
and Brandon Harvey. While Harvey started 14 games and posted over 11
points per game, Blocki and Reep came off the bench a year ago to
combine for nearly 20 minutes of playing time per game.
“We were forced to rely on some young guys last
year,” says Santarsiero. “We are fortunate this year in the fact that
most of our key contributors will have had college experience. We have a
couple newcomers that may surprise us, but for the most part it will be
a veteran group.”
A few of those young surprises that the coach
speaks of could include transfer TJ Bevilacqua, a sophomore from
Illinois Tech, or freshmen Matt Lorello and Caleb Foust. “We have some
special young talent, but the challenge will be finding minutes for
everyone on a consistent basis.”
The Golden Tornadoes have never shied away from
playing top caliber competition and the upcoming season is no different.
For the second time in three years, Geneva will go head to head against
an NCAA Division I opponent. After playing Cleveland State two years
ago, the Golden Tornadoes will test their fate against former head coach
Jerry Slocum and Youngstown State the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. “Not
that the PAC schedule isn't touch enough,” explains Santarsiero. “But
when you have a chance to play a Division I school, you almost have to
give your kids that opportunity. We are excited for our season because
we understand how difficult it will be in and out of the PAC.”
Not since 1988, the first year under Coach Slocum,
will the Golden Tornadoes be looking to rebound from a season that saw
less than ten victories the year before. Geneva College and the Golden
Tornadoes have always been regarded as a successful program across the
region and the coaches and players are determined to regain that respect
this season. “Nobody is going to hand us anything,” says Santarsiero.
“We just have to work harder on both ends of the floor and the results
will follow. This program has been a proud staple of Geneva College for
a long time and our guys understand the importance of moving forward and
making last year a distant memory.”
The 2009-10 season will be the 117th season of
Geneva College basketball. As special as the tradition of Golden
Tornadoes basketball has become, the success of the new year will depend
on how quickly this group can move forward into a new chapter of Geneva
basketball.
Additional Information:
2009-10
Schedule
2008-09 Final
Stats
Grove City College
Wolverines (12-13 Overall, 6-6 PAC)
Additional Information:
2009-10
Schedule
2008-09 Final
Stats
Saint Vincent College
Bearcats (22-3 Overall)
The Saint Vincent Bearcats will enter the
2009-10 season with many unanswered questions, after losing four starters from a
team that went 22-3 last season.
Junior guard BJ McGill, who has been named team captain, is the lone
returnee. The Maryland native averaged 11.5 points per game last year, and was
second in the PAC with 2.9 steals per game. He earned PAC Coaches Honors for
his efforts.
Also returning is forward Mike Watkins, who averaged 20 minutes per game
last year, putting up 8.0 points. The 6-8 senior blocked 20 shots and and
averaged 4.8 rebounds per game.
Only two other players return from last year – senior point guard Maurice
Hawkins and sophomore guard Ryan Nelson. Hawkins appeared in 12
games last year, averaging 2.0 points, while Nelson played in 17 games,
averaging 1.7 points in 2008-09.
Six newcomers join the team this year. According to Coach DP Harris,
several have already made impressions on the coaching staff. “There is great
potential for Garrison Gross and Armani Fountain. I’m pleasantly
surprised at how mature all of our freshmen are at this point.
Gross, from Buffalo, NY, is projected to see time at both the guard and small
forward position. Standing 6-5, Gross played at Bridgton Academy. Fountain
(pronounced Fon-taine’) is a native of Gahanna, OH, and played last year for
Harvest Prep. Fountain stands 6-6 and is projected as a forward.
Another newcomer is center Alberto Benetti, an import from Verona, Italy
who stands 6-11. “Alberto is coming along as we expected,” says Harris. “He is
very coachable and is going to get better with the more playing time he gets.
Right now, he is our starting 5 man, and are comfortable with him, but we
realize he will make mistakes, as all of our young guys will.”
Another newcomer, Edmond Wright, is expected to split time at the point
guard position with Hawkins. A 5-10 freshman from Temple Hills, MD, the 5-10
Wright played for Queen Anne’s HS last year, averaging 20 points. According to
Harris, “I think that Ed Wright has an opportunity to challenge Mo (Hawkins) all
year for a starting position, and both will play extended minutes.”
Other newcomers include Stephon Berry (6-4), a freshman who played last
year for St. Maria Goretti HS in the Martinsburg, WV area. He started his high
school career near his hometown of Columbia, SC. Henry Utku is also new
to the team this year, transferring from Cuesta College in California. Utku
(6-3) is a native of Norwich, England.
The team will also have a slightly different look on the sidelines. Assistant
coach Mike Iuzzolino has been promoted to associate coach. A former
first round pick by the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA, Iuzzolino is in his second
year at SVC. Joining the staff this year is Jeff Mallory, a former
four-year starter with the Bearcats. The 7-footer set school records for
blocked shots and helped lead the team to three NAIA National Tournament
appearances, before graduating in 2006. After missing a year due to injury,
Mallory spent the last two seasons playing professionally in Spain.
Harris knows this will be a rebuilding year. “I’m a little concerned about our
numbers, with only 10 guys on the team. We’ll be looking to BJ for leadership.
He has gotten more explosive than I could imagine. His game is becoming more
offensive minded, has had great preseason. We’re really excited for him.
Overall, however, it’s a different philosophy this season. In the past, we
always said we wanted to win 20 games. This year, it’s a day-to-day process. I
think we could hit some road bumps early on, but I think we’ll be a very good
basketball team by January as long as we stay together and learn from our
mistakes. It’s going to be exciting to watch these young guys grow.”
Additional Information:
2009-10 Schedule
2008-09 Final Stats
Thiel College Tomcats (2-23
Overall, 1-11 PAC)
Coming off of a tough and disappointing 2-23
record a year ago, Thiel’s men’s basketball squad is expected to rebound –and
score- in the 2009-10 season.
“Last season was the most difficult in my twenty three years of coaching,” said
head coach Tim Loomis. “At one point -at the beginning of the second semester-
we lost six of our top eight players which made for a long season.
“I was very proud of the remaining players for their competitive spirit and
competing until the end of the season.”
But that was last year.
Now Loomis and his Tomcats are re-tooled and ready to show both their fans and
opponents that they can meet and overcome any challenge.
Returning to the hardwood at Beeghly Gymnasium are senior guards Cory Chaffee,
Sean Devinney and Wes Siko; junior forward Allen George; junior guard
Devon Adams; and sophomore guard Jonathan Novo.
Chaffee and Adams averaged over 11 points-per game last season, while Devinney
returns with a team-high .587 field goal percentage. George, Siko, and Novo
should make significant contributions this season after seeing action last year.
Loomis also has added several new players who, in tandem with his veterans, make
him optimistic that the Tomcats best days are not far off.
“This season will bring us back on track in our plan to build a competitive
program that can compete at the top level of (the Presidents’ Athletic
Conference),” Loomis said. “We have added six good freshmen and an outstanding
(NCAA) Division-I transfer who will help turn the program into a contender.”
Blair Rozenbald, a 6’-3” guard, joins the
Tomcats after transferring from D-I Youngstown State. His arrival in Greenville
is a homecoming of sorts, as he played under Loomis for three years in high
school.
Several other new faces will factor into Thiel’s quest for success. Those
expected to see action are: Bradley Stevenson, Ladell Trottie, Austin Forbes,
Andra Jones, Matt
May, George Sanders, and Jamal Priester.
“If the freshmen and the team can develop over the next two months I believe we
will be very competitive in the league.” said Loomis. “We have added quality
young men that have come out of elite high school programs and are also very
good students.
“These young men are typical of the recruits I had in the previous programs that
I have built into winning teams. I am excited and look forward to the season”
Thiel opens its 2009-10 season Nov. 16 when it travels to D-II power Indiana
University of Pa. PAC action begins with a Dec. 2 trip to St. Vincent.
Additional Information:
2009-10 Schedule
2008-09 Final Stats
Thomas More College Saints
(19-9 Overall, 10-2 PAC)
The Thomas More College men’s basketball team
begins a new era this season as Jeff Rogers takes over as head coach. Rogers
moves up one chair on the Saints’ bench as he served as an assistant to former
head coach John Ellenwood, who resigned after last season to take the head
coach’s position at Ashland University.
Rogers begins his first season as a collegiate head coach by welcoming back nine
letterwinners, including one starter, to a program that finished 19-9 overall
and 10-2 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) to win its first-ever PAC
Championship and advance to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time
in school history. Key returners are senior point guard Romell Salone, senior
power forward Daniel McKeehan, junior center Brian Muse, junior shooting guard
Kurt Bovard, junior forward Eddie Brown and junior shooting guard
Johnny Bovard.
Salone returns for his third season as a starter and averaged 9.9 points per
game and dished out a team-high 59 assists last season as he was named All-PAC
second team. McKeehan was also a second team All-PAC selection last season as he
was first on the team with 12.1 ppg., was second with 4.6 rebounds per game and
had a team-high 41 steals. Muse averaged 6.8 ppg., grabbed 3.8 rpg., and had a
team-high 21 blocks, while Kurt Bovard averaged 6.6 ppg., and dished out 55
assists, Brown averaged 6.1 ppg., dished out 29 assists and had 37 steals and
Johnny Bovard averaged 3.8 ppg. and had 30 assists.
Along with the returners, Rogers and his staff have added 13 newcomers that
include six transfers and seven freshmen who will battle for playing time and
build depth to compete for the team’s second straight PAC Championship.
“We return a solid nucleus of young men from a year ago who we hope will blend
well with a few transfers and incoming freshman to give us strength in our
starting lineup and depth on the bench,” said Rogers.
“We know that the PAC is one of the toughest Division III conferences from
top-to-bottom and its going to be a challenge to repeat,” continued Rogers. “To
be consistent in the PAC, you have to have a solid starting group and depth on
the bench. We are working toward those goals and looking forward to the
challenge ahead in 2009-2010.”
Thomas More opens its 2009-2010 campaign on Tuesday, November 17 when it travels
to Bluffton, Ohio to play Bluffton University at 7 p.m. The Saints home-opener
will be on Saturday, November 28 when they host Transylvania University at 7
p.m.
Additional Information:
2009-10 Schedule
2008-09 Final Stats
Washington & Jefferson College Presidents
(20-10 Overall, 7-5 PAC)
Washington & Jefferson College celebrated its
first postseason championship in school history last year after winning the ECAC
Division III South Championship. The Presidents defeated Pitt-Bradford, Catholic
and Cabrini during the tournament and reached 20 victories for only the second
time in school history.
Four seniors who helped W&J claim the ECAC title have graduated, but Head Coach
Glenn Gutierrez feels the returning players gained valuable experience and
learned what it takes to become champions.
“Winning the ECAC Championship was a positive experience for our players,” said
Gutierrez, who owns a 48-38 overall record in his three years at W&J. “We have a
higher level of expectation now. We enjoyed last season’s finish, but we
understand this is a new team and we have a new outlook.”
Gutierrez has led the Presidents to three consecutive seasons of at least 14
victories, a first for the Washington & Jefferson men’s basketball program.
“We hang our hat on the defensive end of the floor and we’re going to work
hard,” he added. “We may have to do some things differently this year, rather
than relying on Wahab (Owolabi) and Josip (Lucic-Jozak) as our go-to guys.”
Gutierrez expects a four-man nucleus of seniors point guard Matt Drakeley and
swingman Albert Varacallo and junior guards Brian Felker and Paul
Matthews to replace last year’s core as the new faces of the program.
Drakeley overcame a medical condition last offseason to average 7.2 points, 2.4
rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. He has 78 games of varsity experience and
enters his final season with 404 career points.
Varacallo (10.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg) has added punch to the Washington & Jefferson
offense since transferring from Division II Gannon prior to the start of the
2007-08 season. Varacallo has poured in 660 points as a President and was the
team’s leading three-point shooter both years (84 career three-pointers).
Felker is an athletic two-way player who has shown the ability to take over
games. He averaged 11.3 points and 4.0 rebounds last season and was third in the
Presidents’ Athletic Conference in free throw shooting (.823).
Matthews transferred from Old Dominion Athletic Conference member Hampden-Sydney
midseason. He saw action in only two games as a reserve, but the coaching staff
has been impressed by his efforts during the preseason. As a freshman, Matthews
led the ODAC in three-point shooting.
“These four players are as good as anyone else’s four in the conference,” noted
Gutierrez. “They are all perimeter guys so we have to find different ways for
them to score, especially on the interior. The ability to cut and drive to the
basket will be key for our success.”
Junior point guard Adam Braithwaite has started 34 games during his career and
will add to the overall floor game. He dished out a team-high 66 assists a year
ago and scored 2.8 points per contest.
“Adam and Matt need to be vocal and take care of the basketball,” he added.
“Things are not going to be as easy as in year’s past, because teams are going
to focus more on perimeter defense with the absence of the two big guys in the
post.”
Junior guards E.J. Morascyzk and Nick Morelli and sophomore guards
Uchenna
Okocha, Zach Zelinsky and Zak Boyd will also add depth to the Presidents’
lineup.
Morascyzk is a strong defender who has seen action in 29 games the last two
years, while Morelli is a part-time starter who has 190 points and 128 rebounds
entering his junior year. The sophomore trio saw limited action as backups last
year, but are expected to increase their contributions.
The big question for Gutierrez is who will replace Owolabi and Lucic-Jozak as
the Presidents’ frontcourt leaders. Freshmen Akram Hidmi and R.J. Pilato
bring
impressive high school resumes, but the head coach feels rebounding and scoring
down low must be a team effort.
“We think Akram and R.J. can give us some quality minutes, but our frontcourt
game right now will be by committee,” said Gutierrez. “Brian, Albert, Nick and a
host of others are going to have to rebound the basketball and be active. We may
not have a dominant post player, but we will adapt our style of play to offset
the losses to graduation.”
“I have been pleased with the effort in preseason,” he added. “We have a lot of
young guys; however, they all share something in common. We are learning
quickly.”
The loss of the four seniors, who tied the school record for career victories
(58), coupled with five of its first six games on the road will provide a stern
test for the 2009-10 Presidents. Some may even view it as a rebuilding year.
Just don’t count Gutierrez among those prognosticators.
“They can keep thinking that way,” said Gutierrez with a smile. “We’re not that
far off. We have talked about that as a team. We recognize why people may feel
that way. We don’t think anyone is going to take us lightly though. We will be
ready for Nov. 16th (home opener versus Penn State-Altoona).”
Additional Information:
2009-10 Schedule
2008-09 Final Stats
Waynesburg University
Yellow Jackets (6-19 Overall, 2-10 PAC)
This year’s Waynesburg University men’s
basketball team will certainly have a different look to it as three starters and
one of the team’s most used bench players are gone. Also, don’t expect to see
the same starting five used in back-to-back games for this young team.
Starting forward Colby Grubich, along with starting guards Jason Clark and
All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) honoree Dan Happe, are gone from last
year’s 6-19 team that went 2-10 in PAC play.
“We’ll be totally different,” seventh-year head coach Frank Ferraro said. “We’re
going to try to continue to play a rotation of guys. We may play 10 guys a night
and we had some success with that last year. I think we have the depth to do
that.”
That added depth comes from a large incoming class of freshmen and transfers
that should number in the double digits. They will supplement a group of
returners led by seniors Jarell Rodriguez and Ryan Courneen.
Rodriguez, who started 19 games last year at point guard and will looked upon to
be a veteran leader on the team. Courneen returns after finishing second on the
team in scoring average last year (13.0 ppg), and made 18 starts last season. He
is also the top returning scorer for the 2009-10 Jackets.
Ferraro is looking to a group of young, but experienced players to step up and
fill several holes left by last year’s graduating class.
“Larry Alexander, Steve Iser, Lou Galante and Erick Noone are all guys that
should see more minutes,” Ferraro said. “Those guys were playing a lot more
minutes over the last eight games of the year or so. They definitely made some
improvements.”
Alexander, a sophomore guard, brings an electricity to the court that he
showcased in five starts over 19 games played last season. He averaged 4.2
points per game and dished out 17 assists.
Iser, a junior backcourt player, appeared in 20 games off the bench last year
for the Jackets and is considered more of a defensive specialist. Galante and
Noone, a pair of young forwards, combined to make three starts and played in a
combined 37 games last season. They will be counted on to improve the team’s
rebounding.
Sophomore forward James Allenby, who saw time in 18 games last season, is also
expected to see a jump in his time on the court.
“I think we’ll be very improved defensively and I think our depth will help us
with that,” Ferraro said. “We won’t have to be tentative and have to worry about
the foul situation. I also think that our increase in size will help us with our
rebounding, which I think we’ll be a little better at than in the past.”
Ferraro is also excited about burly sophomore guard Luke Baker’s potential.
After missing a large part of last year with an injury, Baker returns healthy
and his head coach believes he can make a difference on this year’s squad.
With so many new faces on this year’s team and the likelihood that a dozen or
more players could see time on the court as a part of Waynesburg’s rotation
style, the team’s offseason preparations will be more important than ever.
“That first month of practice will be vital,” Ferrarro said. “We’re working a
lot of new guys into our team. It will be really important to put that jigsaw
puzzle together and start putting guys into their roles.”
The Jackets tip the 2009-10 season off on Nov. 17, when they travel to Hamburg,
N.Y. to face Hilbert.
Additional Information:
2009-10 Schedule
2008-09 Final Stats
Westminster College Titans
(10-17 Overall, 7-5 PAC)
The last few years, the Westminster College
men's basketball team seemed to overcome early-season woes and ride a crescendo
of success by season's end. Whether it's a difficult non-conference schedule,
injuries, lack of experience or lack of depth, the Titans still managed to host
conference tournament games each of the last seven seasons by finishing in the
upper echelon of the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC).
Take last year, for example, when the Titans started the season 1-11, their
worst start ever with one win coming against eventual league champion Thomas
More. Westminster was resilient and wound up placing third in the PAC with a 7-5
record and an overall mark of 10-17.
The circumstances entering the 2009-10 season would lead one to believe that
Westminster will do the same this year. The Titans will have to utilize at least
a majority of their seven freshmen that make up half of the 14-man roster. In
addition, their best player won't be available until January.
But don't tell seventh-year head coach Larry Ondako that the Titans won't be
good early in the season.
"I'm excited about the young, athletic kids that we have," Ondako said. "People
will probably look at our roster and go ‘Wow, they might struggle,' but we have
a good base of people to work with."
Ondako indicated that at least 12 guys are going to play and there will be times
that the Titans deploy three or four freshmen on the court at the same time. The
remainder of the roster consists of three seniors, three sophomores and one
junior.
Of the three returning starters, senior forward Ryne Murray is the most accomplished, having already garnered preseason
honorable mention All-America honors from The Sporting News. Murray earned
first-team all-PAC honors last year and became the first Westminster College
men's basketball player to earn PAC Player of the Year accolades and just the
third to earn first-team all-PAC laurels.
Murray led the PAC in scoring and rebounding in 2008-09. His 20.2 points per
game and 10.4 rebounds per game ranked 39th and 21st, respectively, in NCAA
Division III. Murray, who ranks 28th in team history with 1,139 career points,
led the Titans in scoring 17 times during the season with 24 games in double
figures, 16 with 20 or more points and three with 30 or more points.
However, Murray will not be available in 2009-10 until the spring semester
because, after transferring to Westminster from Saint Francis (Pa.) four years
ago, he has used up seven of the allotted eight semesters of eligibility allowed
by the NCAA. Consequently, Murray plans to use that last semester in the spring
to play in the maximum amount of games.
"Hopefully we will be good by the time he comes back," Ondako said. "I think we
can get to that point."
The rest of the front court is intact with returning starters at center and
forward in senior Steve Bielich and sophomore Rob
Briggs, respectively.
Bielich is a three-year starter who did not play in 2007-08 because of a knee
injury. Last year, Bielich's 10.7 scoring average ranked second on the team,
while his 4.8 rebound average ranked third. At 6-feet-8, he alters opponents'
shots and his 1.13 blocks per game last year ranked second in the PAC.
Briggs averaged 7.6 points per game in his rookie year, while his 7.6 rebounding
average ranked second on the team and seventh in the PAC. He also shot well from
the floor with a .497 field-goal percentage that ranked eighth in the league.
Ten games he scored in double figures last year and on three occasions he led
the Titans in points.
The other three returning lettermen that Westminster has coming back are all
guards in lone junior Max Spinner and sophomores
Anthony DeFelice and Cameron McCleary.
Spinner, a two-year letterman with nine career starts and 48 games played, is a
sharpshooter who is capable of 20-point games by dialing from long distance. He
has led the team in 3-point field goal shooting the last two years, including a
PAC-best .500 (29-58) in 2008 and a team-best .411 (44-107) last year.
DeFelice and McCleary each played in 26 games last year averaging 2.6 and 2.5
points per game with a combined nine starts.
Beyond those lettermen, a lot will be determined by how well the seven freshmen
play.
"We are going to be a fun team to watch and a fun team to coach," Ondako added.
Additional Information:
2009-10 Schedule
2008-09 Final Stats