Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2005 22:51:03 GMT -5
@niagara MONDAY 7PM 11/21/05
I can see the cover of this year’s NU media guide now. Splashed with pictures of Joe Mihalich’s team celebrating their MAAC championship, and a trip to the “Big Dance”, with the title of “PURPLE REIGN” over top! I’ve gotta give props to the Eagles, anytime you make it to the tourney it’s a huge accomplishment. Heck, there where some 300 other division 1 schools last year saying, “Take me with u”. Still the Purps should be congratulated on their success and good fortune. One amazing stat was the Niagara started the same 5 players for every one of their 30 games. How many other D1 teams could say they had the same starting 5 throughout the season?
But alas, NU’s big three are gone and the departure Juan Mendez, David Brooks, and Alvin Cruz take with them 63.5% of the offense and an immeasurable amount of leadership. But hey, this is what it sounds like “when doves cry”; and these are the Purple Eagles, they don’t rebuild, they reload!
“The beautiful ones” returning for Niagara are Lorenzo Miles, JR Duffey, and James Mathis. The 6foot 190 pound Miles, is NU’s leading returning scorer (8.9) and started at the off guard spot last year. He is said to be an excellent shooter that is better without the ball, yet he still has the ability to take his man off the dribble settling for the pull-up jumper. My bet would be that Miles will see much more time at the point this year with Cruz gone and no true successor ready to step up and take his place.
The 6-7 220 pound Duffey was the starting PF from last year NCAA team, and like Mendez, will step out and knock down the three ball. Duffey (8.4 – 5.3), who was a first team All-State receiver in Texas, is also an excellent offensive rebounder, with nearly 40% of his total rebounds coming from the offensive glass.
The third member that is assured to start is James Mathis, last year’s MAAC’s 6th man of the year recipient. Mathis (7.9 – 6.3) is a guy that is always going forward, rather on defense or offense. He is a physical defender that can guard anyone from the 2 to the 4 positions. Not the best outside shooter, Mathis prefers to attack the rim or hang around the paint which allows for easy put-backs or getting to the free throw line with regularity. Mathis, who went to China with a team of MAAC all-stars, has all the tools to be an all-MAAC performer.
From there it gets a little sketching, still, Mihalic has several players waiting in the wings singing, “Baby I’m a star”. Clif Brown (6-7 230), is the likely starter along side Duffey in the frontcourt. A red-shirt junior who sat out last year as a transfer from Kent State, Brown averaged 5.1 and 2.9 in 12 minutes of action as a sophomore, including posting 7 & 5 against Bonas. He, too, is a prototypical NU big man, in that, he’ll step out and knock down the three. Blessed with size, mobility, and grit he fits the mold of current NU players Mathis and Charron Fisher. Fisher could round out the starting five. The 6-3 225 Fisher, who was a top 200 player coming out of high school in Philadelphia, saw action in the first 17 games averaging 5.6 points and 3.2 rebounds (including a career high 21 against SBU) in 13 minutes of action before missing the end of the season with a knee injury. Fisher, like Mathis, is always going forward, using his strength to get to the rim and causing match-up problems with his size and strength. The “problem” is he doesn’t have a position. He can’t shoot or handle the ball well enough to play the 2 or 3 and is much too small to play the 4. If he has worked on his shot and handle during his rehab he could remind many an SBU fan of ex-GW power-guard, Chris Monroe. Fisher, like Monroe, has already shown that he will live at the foul line.
Three freshmen have a chance to make a significant impact on this year’s club. Mike Moberg (6-9) may be the steal of a very good class. The Minnesota native was a second team All-State selection and Mihalich is looking for “an immediate physical presence” from the lefty. Mihalich was also quoted as saying Moberg has the whole game and is not limited to the post, in that, he can step out and hit the 15 footer. Eni Cuka (6-2) has probably the best national exposure of the incoming freshman. Named a pre-season fab-five in South Florida, Cuka broke is wrist and missed all but one game of his senior season (if I’m not mistaken). Mihalich has said that Cuka is “(a) guard who pushes the ball from one end of the court to another extremely well.” (You can read into that – that Mihalich does not plan on changing his coaching philosophy any time soon!) The third of four member class is Andrew Patterson. The 6-4 wing, who hails from Connecticut, has been compared favorably to former Niagara star Tremmell Darden, in that, he is “an exceptional athlete who will have his share of highlight-tape plays.” He is said to be able to beat you off the dribble or knock down the open 15 footer. Kamau Gordon (6-7), the last of the incoming freshmen, is a wide-body forward that is said to have great hands who Mihalich says, “His heart is even bigger than the body.” (I.E. - he’s probably a year or two away of contributing significantly!)
If Miles is to stay at his more natural off guard position and Cuka isn’t up to the task of running a D1 program from the onset look for two returning letterman, Stanley Hodges and Barry Durosier to battle for minutes at the point. Durosier (6-1 190) appears more likely then Hodge to take Cruz’s place. The Florida native played in all but one game, as a red-shirt sophomore, for Niagara last year averaging 8.5 minutes as Cruz’s backup. While probably not the offensive threat Cruz was, he had a descent turnover-to-assist ration (1.4) and should be a good distributor. Hodge (6-1 195) is really the only natural point guard on the team. As a true freshman last year, the Gonzaga High School product, struggled offensively and only saw the floor in 16 games. Still Hodge came out of the famed Washington Catholic Athletic Conference in D.C. with a lot of expectations, and with a year of college ball under his belt could be the one to step into the full time point guard roll. One thing for sure, the battle for the one will be very interesting.
The last two players on the NU bench are little used Greg Noel (6-7) and Hensley Charles (6-8). Noel, a native of Montreal (that is all he has in common with Mendez), played all of 17 minutes as a sophomore and probably won’t get off the bench too much this year either. Charles, who has his name backwards, played a whopping 24 minutes as a freshmen is said to be a good shot blocker and rebounder. The second team All-Jersey should see his minutes increase as a reserve post.
While there may not be a player on this year’s roster like Mendez, that would leave opposing coaches saying “I would die 4 u” there is enough talent on this club to have Purple Eagle fans all over screaming “Let’s go crazy”, again, at the end of this season. Still, there are a lot of questions that need answered. Can Mathis, Miles, and Duffey step out of the shadows into the spot light? Is Fisher healthy? Can he find a position? Did he refine his jumper and handle? But the biggest question is who’ll play the point? Can Durosier, Hodge, or Cuka handle the point so Miles can play his natural off guard? Will any of the freshmen be able to contribute significant minutes to lengthen the bench?
Early in the season is the time to catch the Purps. Given time to answer those questions (and all the answers are there!) this team will surprise, they should definitely be in the top 5 of the MAAC again by the end of the season.
But anyway, I have the “Computer Blues” and my “Darling Nikki” is calling me to bed. (I know, that was a stretch…but I had to get all the songs in here!).
Next up – Canisius.
PROBABLE STARTERS
SG MILES 6-0 JR 33.7 – 8.9 – 3.9
F MATHIS 6-6 SR 21.2 – 7.9 – 6.3
F DUFFEY 6-7 JR 24.4 – 8.4 – 5.3
F BROWN 6-7 JR
G CUKA 6-2 FR
BENCH
F FISHER 6-3 SO 12.9 – 5.6 – 3.2
C MOBERG 6-9 FR
G DUROSIER 6-1 JR 8.5 – 1.5 – 1.0
G HODGE 6-1 SO 4.1 – 0.8 – 0.4
F PATTERSON 6-4 FR
C CHARLES 6-8 SO 1.8 – 0.5 – 0.2
F NOEL 6-7 JR 1.3 – 0.7 – 0.6
F GORDON 6-7 FR
F WILLIAMS 6-5 SR 0.7 – 0.7 – 0.0 (WALK-ON)
I can see the cover of this year’s NU media guide now. Splashed with pictures of Joe Mihalich’s team celebrating their MAAC championship, and a trip to the “Big Dance”, with the title of “PURPLE REIGN” over top! I’ve gotta give props to the Eagles, anytime you make it to the tourney it’s a huge accomplishment. Heck, there where some 300 other division 1 schools last year saying, “Take me with u”. Still the Purps should be congratulated on their success and good fortune. One amazing stat was the Niagara started the same 5 players for every one of their 30 games. How many other D1 teams could say they had the same starting 5 throughout the season?
But alas, NU’s big three are gone and the departure Juan Mendez, David Brooks, and Alvin Cruz take with them 63.5% of the offense and an immeasurable amount of leadership. But hey, this is what it sounds like “when doves cry”; and these are the Purple Eagles, they don’t rebuild, they reload!
“The beautiful ones” returning for Niagara are Lorenzo Miles, JR Duffey, and James Mathis. The 6foot 190 pound Miles, is NU’s leading returning scorer (8.9) and started at the off guard spot last year. He is said to be an excellent shooter that is better without the ball, yet he still has the ability to take his man off the dribble settling for the pull-up jumper. My bet would be that Miles will see much more time at the point this year with Cruz gone and no true successor ready to step up and take his place.
The 6-7 220 pound Duffey was the starting PF from last year NCAA team, and like Mendez, will step out and knock down the three ball. Duffey (8.4 – 5.3), who was a first team All-State receiver in Texas, is also an excellent offensive rebounder, with nearly 40% of his total rebounds coming from the offensive glass.
The third member that is assured to start is James Mathis, last year’s MAAC’s 6th man of the year recipient. Mathis (7.9 – 6.3) is a guy that is always going forward, rather on defense or offense. He is a physical defender that can guard anyone from the 2 to the 4 positions. Not the best outside shooter, Mathis prefers to attack the rim or hang around the paint which allows for easy put-backs or getting to the free throw line with regularity. Mathis, who went to China with a team of MAAC all-stars, has all the tools to be an all-MAAC performer.
From there it gets a little sketching, still, Mihalic has several players waiting in the wings singing, “Baby I’m a star”. Clif Brown (6-7 230), is the likely starter along side Duffey in the frontcourt. A red-shirt junior who sat out last year as a transfer from Kent State, Brown averaged 5.1 and 2.9 in 12 minutes of action as a sophomore, including posting 7 & 5 against Bonas. He, too, is a prototypical NU big man, in that, he’ll step out and knock down the three. Blessed with size, mobility, and grit he fits the mold of current NU players Mathis and Charron Fisher. Fisher could round out the starting five. The 6-3 225 Fisher, who was a top 200 player coming out of high school in Philadelphia, saw action in the first 17 games averaging 5.6 points and 3.2 rebounds (including a career high 21 against SBU) in 13 minutes of action before missing the end of the season with a knee injury. Fisher, like Mathis, is always going forward, using his strength to get to the rim and causing match-up problems with his size and strength. The “problem” is he doesn’t have a position. He can’t shoot or handle the ball well enough to play the 2 or 3 and is much too small to play the 4. If he has worked on his shot and handle during his rehab he could remind many an SBU fan of ex-GW power-guard, Chris Monroe. Fisher, like Monroe, has already shown that he will live at the foul line.
Three freshmen have a chance to make a significant impact on this year’s club. Mike Moberg (6-9) may be the steal of a very good class. The Minnesota native was a second team All-State selection and Mihalich is looking for “an immediate physical presence” from the lefty. Mihalich was also quoted as saying Moberg has the whole game and is not limited to the post, in that, he can step out and hit the 15 footer. Eni Cuka (6-2) has probably the best national exposure of the incoming freshman. Named a pre-season fab-five in South Florida, Cuka broke is wrist and missed all but one game of his senior season (if I’m not mistaken). Mihalich has said that Cuka is “(a) guard who pushes the ball from one end of the court to another extremely well.” (You can read into that – that Mihalich does not plan on changing his coaching philosophy any time soon!) The third of four member class is Andrew Patterson. The 6-4 wing, who hails from Connecticut, has been compared favorably to former Niagara star Tremmell Darden, in that, he is “an exceptional athlete who will have his share of highlight-tape plays.” He is said to be able to beat you off the dribble or knock down the open 15 footer. Kamau Gordon (6-7), the last of the incoming freshmen, is a wide-body forward that is said to have great hands who Mihalich says, “His heart is even bigger than the body.” (I.E. - he’s probably a year or two away of contributing significantly!)
If Miles is to stay at his more natural off guard position and Cuka isn’t up to the task of running a D1 program from the onset look for two returning letterman, Stanley Hodges and Barry Durosier to battle for minutes at the point. Durosier (6-1 190) appears more likely then Hodge to take Cruz’s place. The Florida native played in all but one game, as a red-shirt sophomore, for Niagara last year averaging 8.5 minutes as Cruz’s backup. While probably not the offensive threat Cruz was, he had a descent turnover-to-assist ration (1.4) and should be a good distributor. Hodge (6-1 195) is really the only natural point guard on the team. As a true freshman last year, the Gonzaga High School product, struggled offensively and only saw the floor in 16 games. Still Hodge came out of the famed Washington Catholic Athletic Conference in D.C. with a lot of expectations, and with a year of college ball under his belt could be the one to step into the full time point guard roll. One thing for sure, the battle for the one will be very interesting.
The last two players on the NU bench are little used Greg Noel (6-7) and Hensley Charles (6-8). Noel, a native of Montreal (that is all he has in common with Mendez), played all of 17 minutes as a sophomore and probably won’t get off the bench too much this year either. Charles, who has his name backwards, played a whopping 24 minutes as a freshmen is said to be a good shot blocker and rebounder. The second team All-Jersey should see his minutes increase as a reserve post.
While there may not be a player on this year’s roster like Mendez, that would leave opposing coaches saying “I would die 4 u” there is enough talent on this club to have Purple Eagle fans all over screaming “Let’s go crazy”, again, at the end of this season. Still, there are a lot of questions that need answered. Can Mathis, Miles, and Duffey step out of the shadows into the spot light? Is Fisher healthy? Can he find a position? Did he refine his jumper and handle? But the biggest question is who’ll play the point? Can Durosier, Hodge, or Cuka handle the point so Miles can play his natural off guard? Will any of the freshmen be able to contribute significant minutes to lengthen the bench?
Early in the season is the time to catch the Purps. Given time to answer those questions (and all the answers are there!) this team will surprise, they should definitely be in the top 5 of the MAAC again by the end of the season.
But anyway, I have the “Computer Blues” and my “Darling Nikki” is calling me to bed. (I know, that was a stretch…but I had to get all the songs in here!).
Next up – Canisius.
PROBABLE STARTERS
SG MILES 6-0 JR 33.7 – 8.9 – 3.9
F MATHIS 6-6 SR 21.2 – 7.9 – 6.3
F DUFFEY 6-7 JR 24.4 – 8.4 – 5.3
F BROWN 6-7 JR
G CUKA 6-2 FR
BENCH
F FISHER 6-3 SO 12.9 – 5.6 – 3.2
C MOBERG 6-9 FR
G DUROSIER 6-1 JR 8.5 – 1.5 – 1.0
G HODGE 6-1 SO 4.1 – 0.8 – 0.4
F PATTERSON 6-4 FR
C CHARLES 6-8 SO 1.8 – 0.5 – 0.2
F NOEL 6-7 JR 1.3 – 0.7 – 0.6
F GORDON 6-7 FR
F WILLIAMS 6-5 SR 0.7 – 0.7 – 0.0 (WALK-ON)