Here's the final installment of the series looking at players joining MAAC programs for the coming season.
Up now ...
SIENA
MEN
- Rakeem Brookins, 5-10 guard, Roman Catholic H.S., Philadelphia
Brookins averaged 18,9 points and six assists per game this past season.
Brookins originally committed to attend Tulane university, but was released from his commitment there after a coaching change.
"When we heard he was available, we made him a prime target because we felt the need to bring in a point guard," Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro said. "So he fills that need. But the unique thing about him is he can also score, so I'd characterize him as a scoring point guard. He has the ability to make threes, so he adds that dimension."
- Trenity Burdine, 6-5 forward/guard, Reading (Pa.) H.S.
No senior season statistics available.
Your blogger has seen Burdine play a number of times in AAU events. He is a versatile wing player whose multiple skill set is reminiscent of former Saint Edwin Ubiles.
- Brandon Walters, 6-9 center/forward, transfer from Seton Hall
He averaged 1.9 points and 2.1 rebounds per game appearing in 28 contests during the 2008-09 season at Seton Hall.
Walters is a true big man, a 245-pounder, who is eligible for the coming season after sitting out last season due to transfer rules. He did practice with the Saints last season and showed an ability to be effective in the post as well as a nice mid-range lefty shot.
ANALYSIS: All three new players will contend for playing time, with Brookins and Burdine competing for starting roles.
WOMEN
- Ciara Stewart, 5-7 point guard, North Point H.S., Pomfert, Md.
Stewart averaged 11.4 points, 7.2 assists and 5.2 steals this past season.
Stewart is a true point guard who will add quickness and athleticism to the Saints.
- Onyx Mintah, 6-1 center/forward, Hun Schoo, Princeton, N.J.
No senior season statistics available, but she averaged 10.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game as a junior.
"Onyx is a very athletic and strong post player," said Siena coach Gina Castelli. "She will add much needed depth and size to our front court. She also has incredible potential to be very good as her years go on here at Siena."
- Allison Mullings, 5-9 guard, Northwest Catholic H.S., West Hartford, Conn.
No senior season statistics available, but she averaged 15 points, six rebounds and five assists per game as a junior.
"Ally is an athletic combo guard," said Castelli. "She has an excellent mid-range game, along with speed and quickness on the defensive end. She has the potential to become a go-to player in her career at Siena.
- Kanika Cummings, 5-7 guard, Masuk H.S., Monroe, Conn.
No senior season statistics available. She averaged 16.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game as a junior.
"Kanika can play both the two guard and point positions," Castelli said. "She has the ability to score off the dribble as well as hit the 3-point shot. She has very good leadership qualities that could translate well into the point guard position."
- Kate Zarotney, 6-0 forward, Berlin (Conn.) H.S.
No senior season statistics available. She averaged 14.5 points, nine rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game as a junior.
"Kate is a talented and athletic forward," Castelli said. "She can play both inside and out. Her toughness and her will to compete are qualities that will make a difference in every game."
ANALYSIS: All five freshmen add quickness and athleticism to the program. Zarotney and Mullings looked the most-ready to contribute early, but all five incoming players appear capable of contributing in the not-so-distant future.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Fairfield Men/Women Recruiting Recap
Here's the latest in a series looking at incoming player to MAAC programs.
Up now ...
FAIRFIELD
MEN
- Maurice Barrow, 6-5 forward, Christ The King H.S., NYC
Barrow averaged 12.4 points and 6.5 points per game last season.
- Jamel Fields, 6-1 guard, Cheshire (Conn.) Academy prep school
No statistics available for last season, but Fields averaged 20.8 points per game in the 2008-09 season playing at Albany (N.Y.) Academy.
Your blogger has seen Fields play a number of times. He is an athletic guard who is capable of playing either backcourt spot, but seems more of a shooter than a distributor.
- Keith Matthews, 6-5 forward, Sebastian (Fla.) H.S.
He averaged 19.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game last season.
Desmond Wade, 5-8 point guard, transfer from Houston
Wade left Houston after coach Tom Penders resigned. He averaged 5.7 points and 4.8 assists last season. He is a legit point guard who takes care of the ball (167 assists vs. 62 turnovers last season). He started 31 of Houston's 35 games last season. He is required to sit out this season, although he can practice with Fairfield, and will have two remaining seasons of eligibility beginning in the 2011-12 season.
- Rakim Sanders, 6-5 senior guard/forward, transfer from Boston College
Sanders left BC afteer its coach, Al Skinner, was fired after this past season. He averaged 11.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per game at the Atlantic Coast Conference school this past season. Sanders is required to sit out this season, although he can practice with the Stags. He has only one season of eligibility remaining, the 2011-12 season.
ANALYSIS: The Stags add some nice pieces, particularly the transfers who should play significant roles when they become eligible a year from now. However, the incoming group did not address the program's greatest need ... height. Fairfield has only two players taller than 6-5 on its roster for the coming season, 7-0 junior Ryan Olander, a reserve previously; and, 6-7 senior Greg Nero, who missed all of last season with injuries and doesn't appear likely, according to a variety of reports, to be at full strength for the upcoming season. The team originally announced the signing of 6-8 forward Majok Majok to a national letter of intent, and Majok would have been a nice addition. But, there have been reports that Majok had significant "paperwork issues" that cannot be resolved and will not attend Fairfield. He does not appear on the school's roster in its preseason prognosis, and, right now, neither Fairfield's sports information nor coach Ed Cooley is responding to media requests to discuss Majok.
WOMEN
- Christelle Akon-Akech, 5-10 forward/guard, Blair Academy prep school.
"Christelle is an athletic wing player who will add versatility to our team," said Fairfield coach Joe Frager. "She has excellent vertical leaping ability and played multiple positions in the past."
Akon-Akech played three seasons at Blair, and is a native of Lyon, France. She is the niece of former Fairfield men's player Ajou Deng.
- Brittany Obi-Talbert, 6-1 forward, Watertown, (Mass.) H.S.
She averaged 20.6 points amd 14/1 rebounds per game this past season.
"She was a 1,000 (1,325 point)-1,000 (1,252 rebound) kid in high school; she's very athletic," said Frager. "She'll add some athleticism to our front court."
- Alexys Vazquez, 5-10 guard, Berlin (Conn.) H.S.
No senior season statistics available.
"She is an outstanding 3-point shooter with range ... (Diana) Taurasi range. Crazy range," said Frager.
- Katie Cizynski, 6-2 orward/center, 6-2, Pomperaug High, Southbury, Conn.
No senior season statistic available.
"She had a big, big high school career. She ended up as the leading scorer in the history of Pomperaug High," said Frager.
ANALYSIS: An talented, versatile incoming class that lacks only a point guard. Cizynski, Obi-Talbert and Akon-Akech should all get into the playing group and help a front court that suffered heavy graduation losses. If Vazquez is as good a shooter as advertised, she'll get playing time, too, and help remedy a Fairfield deficiency from the outside of last season.
Up now ...
FAIRFIELD
MEN
- Maurice Barrow, 6-5 forward, Christ The King H.S., NYC
Barrow averaged 12.4 points and 6.5 points per game last season.
- Jamel Fields, 6-1 guard, Cheshire (Conn.) Academy prep school
No statistics available for last season, but Fields averaged 20.8 points per game in the 2008-09 season playing at Albany (N.Y.) Academy.
Your blogger has seen Fields play a number of times. He is an athletic guard who is capable of playing either backcourt spot, but seems more of a shooter than a distributor.
- Keith Matthews, 6-5 forward, Sebastian (Fla.) H.S.
He averaged 19.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game last season.
Desmond Wade, 5-8 point guard, transfer from Houston
Wade left Houston after coach Tom Penders resigned. He averaged 5.7 points and 4.8 assists last season. He is a legit point guard who takes care of the ball (167 assists vs. 62 turnovers last season). He started 31 of Houston's 35 games last season. He is required to sit out this season, although he can practice with Fairfield, and will have two remaining seasons of eligibility beginning in the 2011-12 season.
- Rakim Sanders, 6-5 senior guard/forward, transfer from Boston College
Sanders left BC afteer its coach, Al Skinner, was fired after this past season. He averaged 11.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per game at the Atlantic Coast Conference school this past season. Sanders is required to sit out this season, although he can practice with the Stags. He has only one season of eligibility remaining, the 2011-12 season.
ANALYSIS: The Stags add some nice pieces, particularly the transfers who should play significant roles when they become eligible a year from now. However, the incoming group did not address the program's greatest need ... height. Fairfield has only two players taller than 6-5 on its roster for the coming season, 7-0 junior Ryan Olander, a reserve previously; and, 6-7 senior Greg Nero, who missed all of last season with injuries and doesn't appear likely, according to a variety of reports, to be at full strength for the upcoming season. The team originally announced the signing of 6-8 forward Majok Majok to a national letter of intent, and Majok would have been a nice addition. But, there have been reports that Majok had significant "paperwork issues" that cannot be resolved and will not attend Fairfield. He does not appear on the school's roster in its preseason prognosis, and, right now, neither Fairfield's sports information nor coach Ed Cooley is responding to media requests to discuss Majok.
WOMEN
- Christelle Akon-Akech, 5-10 forward/guard, Blair Academy prep school.
"Christelle is an athletic wing player who will add versatility to our team," said Fairfield coach Joe Frager. "She has excellent vertical leaping ability and played multiple positions in the past."
Akon-Akech played three seasons at Blair, and is a native of Lyon, France. She is the niece of former Fairfield men's player Ajou Deng.
- Brittany Obi-Talbert, 6-1 forward, Watertown, (Mass.) H.S.
She averaged 20.6 points amd 14/1 rebounds per game this past season.
"She was a 1,000 (1,325 point)-1,000 (1,252 rebound) kid in high school; she's very athletic," said Frager. "She'll add some athleticism to our front court."
- Alexys Vazquez, 5-10 guard, Berlin (Conn.) H.S.
No senior season statistics available.
"She is an outstanding 3-point shooter with range ... (Diana) Taurasi range. Crazy range," said Frager.
- Katie Cizynski, 6-2 orward/center, 6-2, Pomperaug High, Southbury, Conn.
No senior season statistic available.
"She had a big, big high school career. She ended up as the leading scorer in the history of Pomperaug High," said Frager.
ANALYSIS: An talented, versatile incoming class that lacks only a point guard. Cizynski, Obi-Talbert and Akon-Akech should all get into the playing group and help a front court that suffered heavy graduation losses. If Vazquez is as good a shooter as advertised, she'll get playing time, too, and help remedy a Fairfield deficiency from the outside of last season.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Majok Majok Appears Out at Fairfield
It already looks like there's one prediction your blogger made in The Sporting News' College Basketball Annual's MAAC preview that won't come true.
We picked Fairfield's Majok Majok, a highly touted 6-8 forward/center who appeared to be a candidate for considerable playing time with the Stags this season, to be the conference's "top newcomer."
But, now, it appears that the redundantly named Majok won't be playing for Fairfield this season, if ever.
Fairfield's preseason prospectus, written by the school's sports information department, was released recently and Major is not listed on the team's roster.
A source with contacts within the program has indicated that there is a major paperwork issue that doesn't seem likely to be resolved and that it does not appear that Majok will ever play for the Stags.
Fairfield's sports information staff has not returned e-mail requests for information.
Majok is a Sudanese refugee whose family left the oppression of that African nation to settle in Australia several years ago. His brother, Ater Majok, played one season at UConn before withdrawing from that school earlier this week.
Reports indicate that Ater Majok might return to Australia to play professionally. There is no indication whether Majok Majok's situation at Fairfield has any connection to his brother's.
Majok Majok averaged 16.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game at Northfield Mount Herman Prep School last season and was recruited by higher level programs, including Georgia Tech and Boston College, before deciding to attend Fairfield. He was expected to be a key member of a Stag frontcourt that, now, is considerably thinner than expected.
We picked Fairfield's Majok Majok, a highly touted 6-8 forward/center who appeared to be a candidate for considerable playing time with the Stags this season, to be the conference's "top newcomer."
But, now, it appears that the redundantly named Majok won't be playing for Fairfield this season, if ever.
Fairfield's preseason prospectus, written by the school's sports information department, was released recently and Major is not listed on the team's roster.
A source with contacts within the program has indicated that there is a major paperwork issue that doesn't seem likely to be resolved and that it does not appear that Majok will ever play for the Stags.
Fairfield's sports information staff has not returned e-mail requests for information.
Majok is a Sudanese refugee whose family left the oppression of that African nation to settle in Australia several years ago. His brother, Ater Majok, played one season at UConn before withdrawing from that school earlier this week.
Reports indicate that Ater Majok might return to Australia to play professionally. There is no indication whether Majok Majok's situation at Fairfield has any connection to his brother's.
Majok Majok averaged 16.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game at Northfield Mount Herman Prep School last season and was recruited by higher level programs, including Georgia Tech and Boston College, before deciding to attend Fairfield. He was expected to be a key member of a Stag frontcourt that, now, is considerably thinner than expected.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Iona's Men/Women Recruiting Recap
Here's the latest in a series looking at incoming players to conference teams this season.
Up now ...
IONA
MEN
- Randy Dezouvre, 6-5 forward from Montreal, Quebec, transfer from Monroe Community College.
He averaged 11 points and 5.3 rebounds per game at Monroe this past season. Monroe finished the season as the No. 7 ranked NJCAA Division I squad, earning their second straight Region XV championship.
- Michael Glover, 6-7 forward, transfer from the College of Eastern Utah, a junior college in Price, Utah.
He averaged 17.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game this past season. Coming out of high school he signed a letter of intent to attend Seton Hall before opting to attend junior college. He played a year at the prep school level at Boys to Men Academy in illinois, helping lead that program to a prep school national title in 2007.
- Javon James, 6-4 guard/forward, Patterson (N.J.) Catholic H.S.
He averaged 5.7 points, 4.8 assists and 3.6 rebounds this past season.
James originally committed to Fordham, but was released from his commitment there after last season's interim coach, Jared Grasso, was not retained. Grasso then signed on as an assistant at Iona and James followed.
Your blogger saw James play several games in this past June's GymRat Challenge AAU tournament, and was highly impressed. James is a multi-talented player capable of playing any of the three perimeter positions at the college level.
- Aleksander Kresic, 6-7 forward, Huntington (West Va.) Prep School.
He averaged 10.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game this past season.
Some sites list him as 6-8 and 210 pounds. He is a native of Serbia, and is described as a prototypical European-style big man that can shoot the ball from the outside.
- Sean Armond, 6-2 guard, Central Jersey Each One Touch One Academy.
He averaged 28.0 points per game this past season at the prep school level.
"We're extremely excited to have Sean on board next season," said Iona coach Tim Cluess. "Sean is a fine young man that adds scoring dimension to an already talented roster and we look forward to having him in the program this fall."
Armond has been described as having an outstanding long-range shot. As a high school senior he averaged 27.0 points, 12 rebounds and four assists per game at Jacqueline Onassis H.S. in Manhattan.
- Ra'Shad James, 6-2 guard, transfer from St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, N.Y.
James averaged 16.6 pints, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists at the Division II level last season.
As a transfer, James will sit out the coming season but can practice with the Gaels. Reports indicate that he will not be on scholarship for the coming season, but is expected to become a scholarship player for the 2011-12 season.
ANALYSIS: The Gaels were the MAAC's deepest team in the league last season. Despite the early departures of Rashard McGill (last year's 8th leading scorer) and Keon Williams (11th in scoring), and graduation losses of Jon Huffman and Milan Prodanovic, the incoming group all but ensures Iona will have a capable bench again this season. Four of the five incoming eligible players are already at least a year beyond high school. Dezouvre and Glover both come in as juniors after two seasons of junior college ball, while Kesic and Armand each have a post-high school year of prep experience. James is the only incoming player coming directly from high school, and he is already physically equipped for the college game.
WOMEN
- Sabrina Jeridore, a 6-4 center from Francis Lewis H.S. in Queens
She averaged 10.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 5.2 blocks per game as a senior this past season.
"I feel she has all the tools to be one of the top centers in the MAAC for years to come," said Iona coach Tony Bozzella.
- Shonice Hawkins, a 5-6 guard from St. Anthony's H.S. in Jersey City, N.J.
She averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game this past season.
"Shnice is a dynamic, athletic guard who will be able to play both guard positions for us and be very effective in our defensive pressure," said Bozzella.
ANALYSIS: The Gaels graduated their two best players from last season, 6-1 center Anna McLean and 5-8 guard Thazina Cook (who regoins the program as an assistant coach). Jeridore and Hawkins appear to be logical replacements at those two spots. Jeridore will provide a stellar defensive presence because of her height and rare shot-blocking ability. Hawkins, by all accounts, is an athletic approximation of Cook. Don't expect either to immediately duplicate what the two graduated players did this past season, but they both look to be potential standouts at some point in the not-so-distant future.
Up now ...
IONA
MEN
- Randy Dezouvre, 6-5 forward from Montreal, Quebec, transfer from Monroe Community College.
He averaged 11 points and 5.3 rebounds per game at Monroe this past season. Monroe finished the season as the No. 7 ranked NJCAA Division I squad, earning their second straight Region XV championship.
- Michael Glover, 6-7 forward, transfer from the College of Eastern Utah, a junior college in Price, Utah.
He averaged 17.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game this past season. Coming out of high school he signed a letter of intent to attend Seton Hall before opting to attend junior college. He played a year at the prep school level at Boys to Men Academy in illinois, helping lead that program to a prep school national title in 2007.
- Javon James, 6-4 guard/forward, Patterson (N.J.) Catholic H.S.
He averaged 5.7 points, 4.8 assists and 3.6 rebounds this past season.
James originally committed to Fordham, but was released from his commitment there after last season's interim coach, Jared Grasso, was not retained. Grasso then signed on as an assistant at Iona and James followed.
Your blogger saw James play several games in this past June's GymRat Challenge AAU tournament, and was highly impressed. James is a multi-talented player capable of playing any of the three perimeter positions at the college level.
- Aleksander Kresic, 6-7 forward, Huntington (West Va.) Prep School.
He averaged 10.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game this past season.
Some sites list him as 6-8 and 210 pounds. He is a native of Serbia, and is described as a prototypical European-style big man that can shoot the ball from the outside.
- Sean Armond, 6-2 guard, Central Jersey Each One Touch One Academy.
He averaged 28.0 points per game this past season at the prep school level.
"We're extremely excited to have Sean on board next season," said Iona coach Tim Cluess. "Sean is a fine young man that adds scoring dimension to an already talented roster and we look forward to having him in the program this fall."
Armond has been described as having an outstanding long-range shot. As a high school senior he averaged 27.0 points, 12 rebounds and four assists per game at Jacqueline Onassis H.S. in Manhattan.
- Ra'Shad James, 6-2 guard, transfer from St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, N.Y.
James averaged 16.6 pints, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists at the Division II level last season.
As a transfer, James will sit out the coming season but can practice with the Gaels. Reports indicate that he will not be on scholarship for the coming season, but is expected to become a scholarship player for the 2011-12 season.
ANALYSIS: The Gaels were the MAAC's deepest team in the league last season. Despite the early departures of Rashard McGill (last year's 8th leading scorer) and Keon Williams (11th in scoring), and graduation losses of Jon Huffman and Milan Prodanovic, the incoming group all but ensures Iona will have a capable bench again this season. Four of the five incoming eligible players are already at least a year beyond high school. Dezouvre and Glover both come in as juniors after two seasons of junior college ball, while Kesic and Armand each have a post-high school year of prep experience. James is the only incoming player coming directly from high school, and he is already physically equipped for the college game.
WOMEN
- Sabrina Jeridore, a 6-4 center from Francis Lewis H.S. in Queens
She averaged 10.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 5.2 blocks per game as a senior this past season.
"I feel she has all the tools to be one of the top centers in the MAAC for years to come," said Iona coach Tony Bozzella.
- Shonice Hawkins, a 5-6 guard from St. Anthony's H.S. in Jersey City, N.J.
She averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game this past season.
"Shnice is a dynamic, athletic guard who will be able to play both guard positions for us and be very effective in our defensive pressure," said Bozzella.
ANALYSIS: The Gaels graduated their two best players from last season, 6-1 center Anna McLean and 5-8 guard Thazina Cook (who regoins the program as an assistant coach). Jeridore and Hawkins appear to be logical replacements at those two spots. Jeridore will provide a stellar defensive presence because of her height and rare shot-blocking ability. Hawkins, by all accounts, is an athletic approximation of Cook. Don't expect either to immediately duplicate what the two graduated players did this past season, but they both look to be potential standouts at some point in the not-so-distant future.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Cluess Settles in Well for 1st Season at Iona
He's taking over a team that won 21 games last season, didn't have to move out of his home he was living in before taking over at Iona this past April and appears to have had some immediate success with his first recruiting class with the Gaels.
Doesn't sound like much of an adjustment at all for Tim Cluess, who is one of two new men's coaches in the MAAC this season. Siena's Mitch Buonaguro is the other, but Buonaguro is not only a former Division I head coach (at Fairfield in the late 1980s/early 1990s) but has been on the sidelines for more than 1,000 Division I games.
This season will be Cluess's first in a D-I program since his own playing days with three years at St. John's and one at Hofstra in the early 1980s.
An adjustment?
"The biggest thing has been having to cross the (Throgs Neck) bridge every day and dealing with the traffic driving to and from Iona," said Cluess.
Of course, that's a nice attempt at downplaying a relatively rare move from being a Division II coach (Cluess ran C.W. Post's program for the past four years) to becoming one on the Division I level.
It's not without precedent, though, not even in the MAAC. Joe Frager coached at Division II Southern Connecticut State before becoming the Fairfield women's coach in 2007 and didn't find the transition that difficult. Frager has averaged 20 victories a season (60-36) in three years with the Lady Stags thus far.
And, what the heck, basketball is basketball, right?
Not necessarily. Traditionally one of the biggest differences involves recruiting.
Then again, maybe the adjustment isn't that great.
Cluess is working the same recruiting areas he did when he was at C.W. Post. And, he claims the level player he's recruiting for Iona now isn't any different than those he brought to Post.
"I didn't recruit Division II players to C.W. Post," he said. "I brought in players who could have been at the Division I level, and some of them at a pretty high level."
Indeed, he had one of the better Division II programs in the east over the past four seasons, compiling a 98-23 record.
Cluess acknowledges the biggest adjustment he faces is learning about what's already in place at Iona.
"It's always an adjustment moving to a new place, learning about the talent that's there and what guys can and cannot do," he said.
Cluess has started learning about the players who turned in a 21-10 record last season with NCAA-allowed individual workouts in his first two weeks on the job in April. He gets more direct contact with players during allowed individual and conditioning work when school begins next week.
In between, he has watched a lot of film of his players. But, he admits that's no substitute for seeing what he's got in person.
"It's hard to tell from watching film," he said. "You don't know if a player had an injury, was sick or whatever. It's important to watch film to look for patterns, but I'm not holding anything I see against anyone. There's an open slate on everyone here when we start working with the players."
Cluess also benefits from something not all new coaches have. As often as not new coaches take over programs in turmoil. But he replaces not a fired coach, but one (Kevin Willard) who got the opportunity to move on because of good work done at Iona.
Willard left behind a program in good shape with, among others, three all-conference caliber players coming back in junior point guard Scott Machado, senior power forward Alejo Rodriguez and sophomore forward Kyle Smith. The Gaels, in fact, return all five starters from last year and are widely accepted as one of this coming season's top three conference teams.
"The program is coming off a good year, but not necessarily a winning tradition yet," Cluess said. "The two previous years they had losing records. We've got to make sure we establish that winning attitude. We've got to ensure we're on the right path. But there's something here we can build on."
On the court, Cluess can build on a strong returning nucleus that paid a little extra attention on the defensive end last season.
"The guys have a lot of pride on the defensive end," said Cluess. "When you talk defense to them their eyes light up. That's great to see. We probably won't change much on that end. But, we'll be significantly different on the offfensive end.
"We'll go up and down the floor a little more, run more of an open offensive. We'll do more attacking the basket right from the get-go."
He's got one of the conference's better ball-handlers in Machado to help put those offensive changes in motions, and the player and coach already have some shared familiarity.
Before Cluess got into college coaching he coached at St. Mary's High School in Manhasset. While there, he got a look at Machado who was a freshman in the school's program during Cluess's last season there.
If all goes well, if Cluess can bring the type success to Division I that he had at lower levels of college and high school basketball, it could be a very good season for Iona.
"I want us to be competitive, but I've got the same goals as every coach," he said. "I'm here to win championships, to have the best team in the MAAC and the best team in the Metro area. They didn't bring me here to do anything other than that."
Cluess has had success at every previous level (264-78 in the high school ranks, a 22-10 record in one season at Suffolk County Community College and the 98-23 ledger at C.W. Post).
He's got a roster of quality veteran players coming off a 21-victory season and a strong five-player recruiting class coming aboard at Iona.
Maybe there's a seamless transition from Willard, who moved on to Seton Hall after three seasons at Iona, to Cluess.
Maybe the toughest part of the job will indeed be that daily commute over the Throgs Neck Bridge.
Doesn't sound like much of an adjustment at all for Tim Cluess, who is one of two new men's coaches in the MAAC this season. Siena's Mitch Buonaguro is the other, but Buonaguro is not only a former Division I head coach (at Fairfield in the late 1980s/early 1990s) but has been on the sidelines for more than 1,000 Division I games.
This season will be Cluess's first in a D-I program since his own playing days with three years at St. John's and one at Hofstra in the early 1980s.
An adjustment?
"The biggest thing has been having to cross the (Throgs Neck) bridge every day and dealing with the traffic driving to and from Iona," said Cluess.
Of course, that's a nice attempt at downplaying a relatively rare move from being a Division II coach (Cluess ran C.W. Post's program for the past four years) to becoming one on the Division I level.
It's not without precedent, though, not even in the MAAC. Joe Frager coached at Division II Southern Connecticut State before becoming the Fairfield women's coach in 2007 and didn't find the transition that difficult. Frager has averaged 20 victories a season (60-36) in three years with the Lady Stags thus far.
And, what the heck, basketball is basketball, right?
Not necessarily. Traditionally one of the biggest differences involves recruiting.
Then again, maybe the adjustment isn't that great.
Cluess is working the same recruiting areas he did when he was at C.W. Post. And, he claims the level player he's recruiting for Iona now isn't any different than those he brought to Post.
"I didn't recruit Division II players to C.W. Post," he said. "I brought in players who could have been at the Division I level, and some of them at a pretty high level."
Indeed, he had one of the better Division II programs in the east over the past four seasons, compiling a 98-23 record.
Cluess acknowledges the biggest adjustment he faces is learning about what's already in place at Iona.
"It's always an adjustment moving to a new place, learning about the talent that's there and what guys can and cannot do," he said.
Cluess has started learning about the players who turned in a 21-10 record last season with NCAA-allowed individual workouts in his first two weeks on the job in April. He gets more direct contact with players during allowed individual and conditioning work when school begins next week.
In between, he has watched a lot of film of his players. But, he admits that's no substitute for seeing what he's got in person.
"It's hard to tell from watching film," he said. "You don't know if a player had an injury, was sick or whatever. It's important to watch film to look for patterns, but I'm not holding anything I see against anyone. There's an open slate on everyone here when we start working with the players."
Cluess also benefits from something not all new coaches have. As often as not new coaches take over programs in turmoil. But he replaces not a fired coach, but one (Kevin Willard) who got the opportunity to move on because of good work done at Iona.
Willard left behind a program in good shape with, among others, three all-conference caliber players coming back in junior point guard Scott Machado, senior power forward Alejo Rodriguez and sophomore forward Kyle Smith. The Gaels, in fact, return all five starters from last year and are widely accepted as one of this coming season's top three conference teams.
"The program is coming off a good year, but not necessarily a winning tradition yet," Cluess said. "The two previous years they had losing records. We've got to make sure we establish that winning attitude. We've got to ensure we're on the right path. But there's something here we can build on."
On the court, Cluess can build on a strong returning nucleus that paid a little extra attention on the defensive end last season.
"The guys have a lot of pride on the defensive end," said Cluess. "When you talk defense to them their eyes light up. That's great to see. We probably won't change much on that end. But, we'll be significantly different on the offfensive end.
"We'll go up and down the floor a little more, run more of an open offensive. We'll do more attacking the basket right from the get-go."
He's got one of the conference's better ball-handlers in Machado to help put those offensive changes in motions, and the player and coach already have some shared familiarity.
Before Cluess got into college coaching he coached at St. Mary's High School in Manhasset. While there, he got a look at Machado who was a freshman in the school's program during Cluess's last season there.
If all goes well, if Cluess can bring the type success to Division I that he had at lower levels of college and high school basketball, it could be a very good season for Iona.
"I want us to be competitive, but I've got the same goals as every coach," he said. "I'm here to win championships, to have the best team in the MAAC and the best team in the Metro area. They didn't bring me here to do anything other than that."
Cluess has had success at every previous level (264-78 in the high school ranks, a 22-10 record in one season at Suffolk County Community College and the 98-23 ledger at C.W. Post).
He's got a roster of quality veteran players coming off a 21-victory season and a strong five-player recruiting class coming aboard at Iona.
Maybe there's a seamless transition from Willard, who moved on to Seton Hall after three seasons at Iona, to Cluess.
Maybe the toughest part of the job will indeed be that daily commute over the Throgs Neck Bridge.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
A look at Niagara's Non-League Schedule
Here's a look at Niagara's non-league basketball schedule.
The Purple Eagles will play home games on Nov. 17 (Milwaukee), Nov. 22 (Mount St. Mary's), Dec., 22 (Quinnipiac) and on Feb. 19 when it hosts a BracketBusters contest.
Road games include four contests in the "Legends Classic" beginning with a Nov. 19 contest at Georgia Tech. Other games in that tournament will all be at the University of Detroit including (vs. Detroit), Nov. 27 (Bowling Green) and Nov. 28 (UAlbany).
Other road cotests will be Dec 8 (UBuffalo), Dec. 11 (St. Bonaventure), Dec. 19 (Central Connecticut), Dec. 28 (Drexel) and Dec. 30 (UMBC).
Game by Game Anaylsis
- U-Wisconsin/Milwaukee: Picked for 5th in the 10-team Horizon Conference. Finished 20-14 last season. Brian Bidlingmyer, a former Siena player, is an assistant coach. Top Player: Guard Tone Boyle (13.2 points in the 2008-09 season), missed last year with a back injury.
- Georgia Tech: Picked for 10th in the 12-team Atlantic Coast Conference. Finished 23-13 last year, but lost two players early to the NBA, including Derrick Favors, the No. 3 pick overall by the New Jersey Nets in this past season's draft. Best player; Guard Iman Shumpert (10.0 points, 4.0 assists).
- Mount St. Mary's: Picked for 6th in the 12-team Northeast Conference. Its new head coach is Robert Burke, who has been an assistant on the Division I level for more than 20 years including three at Siena. Top player: 6-7 senior forward Shawn Atupem (10.7 points, 3.6 rebounds).
- Detroit: Picked for 2nd in the 10-team Horizon League. Finished 20-14 last season. Top players: 6-6 junior guard Chase Simon (14.0 points, 5.1 rebounds), 6-10 junior center Eli Homan (11.5 points, 8.9 rebounds; led the Horizon League in rebounding last season).
- Bowling Green: Picked for 5th in the 6-team East Division of the Mid-American Conference. Finished 14-16 last season. Best Player: 6-7 junior forward Scott Thomas (13.2 points, 6.3 rebounds).
- UAlbany: UAlbany: Picked to finish 8th in the 9-team America East Conference. Finished 7-25 last season. Best Player: 6-0 senior guard Tim Ambrose (12.4 ppg.).
- Buffalo: Picked for 6th in the 6-team East Division of the Mid American Conference. Finished 18-12 last season. Lost all five starters and top six scorers from last season. Top player: 6-7 junior forward Titus Robinson (5.8 points).
- St. Bonaventure: Picked for 14th in the 14-team Atlantic 10 Conference. Finished 15-16 last season. Best player: 6-9 junior forward Andrew Nicholson (16.4 points, 7.1 rebounds).
- Central Connecticut: Picked for 3rd in the 12-team Northeast Conference. Finished 12-17 last season. Best player: Senior guard Shamik Thompson (13.0 points, 3.3 assists).
- Quinnipiac: Picked for 1st in the 12-team Northeast Conference. Finished 23-10 last season. Top Player: Senior forward Justin Rutty (15.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, the NEC's leading rebounder last season).
- Drexel: Picked for 6th in the 12-team Colonial Athletic Association. Finished 16-16 last season. Best player: 6-5 junior forward Samme Givins (8.6 points, 8.3 rebounds).
- UMBC: Picked for 9th in the 9-team America East Conference. Finished 4-26 last season. Best player: 5-10 senior guard Chris De La Rosa (11.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, led the conference in assists last season). De La Rosa played his freshman season at Siena before transferring.
The Purple Eagles will play home games on Nov. 17 (Milwaukee), Nov. 22 (Mount St. Mary's), Dec., 22 (Quinnipiac) and on Feb. 19 when it hosts a BracketBusters contest.
Road games include four contests in the "Legends Classic" beginning with a Nov. 19 contest at Georgia Tech. Other games in that tournament will all be at the University of Detroit including (vs. Detroit), Nov. 27 (Bowling Green) and Nov. 28 (UAlbany).
Other road cotests will be Dec 8 (UBuffalo), Dec. 11 (St. Bonaventure), Dec. 19 (Central Connecticut), Dec. 28 (Drexel) and Dec. 30 (UMBC).
Game by Game Anaylsis
- U-Wisconsin/Milwaukee: Picked for 5th in the 10-team Horizon Conference. Finished 20-14 last season. Brian Bidlingmyer, a former Siena player, is an assistant coach. Top Player: Guard Tone Boyle (13.2 points in the 2008-09 season), missed last year with a back injury.
- Georgia Tech: Picked for 10th in the 12-team Atlantic Coast Conference. Finished 23-13 last year, but lost two players early to the NBA, including Derrick Favors, the No. 3 pick overall by the New Jersey Nets in this past season's draft. Best player; Guard Iman Shumpert (10.0 points, 4.0 assists).
- Mount St. Mary's: Picked for 6th in the 12-team Northeast Conference. Its new head coach is Robert Burke, who has been an assistant on the Division I level for more than 20 years including three at Siena. Top player: 6-7 senior forward Shawn Atupem (10.7 points, 3.6 rebounds).
- Detroit: Picked for 2nd in the 10-team Horizon League. Finished 20-14 last season. Top players: 6-6 junior guard Chase Simon (14.0 points, 5.1 rebounds), 6-10 junior center Eli Homan (11.5 points, 8.9 rebounds; led the Horizon League in rebounding last season).
- Bowling Green: Picked for 5th in the 6-team East Division of the Mid-American Conference. Finished 14-16 last season. Best Player: 6-7 junior forward Scott Thomas (13.2 points, 6.3 rebounds).
- UAlbany: UAlbany: Picked to finish 8th in the 9-team America East Conference. Finished 7-25 last season. Best Player: 6-0 senior guard Tim Ambrose (12.4 ppg.).
- Buffalo: Picked for 6th in the 6-team East Division of the Mid American Conference. Finished 18-12 last season. Lost all five starters and top six scorers from last season. Top player: 6-7 junior forward Titus Robinson (5.8 points).
- St. Bonaventure: Picked for 14th in the 14-team Atlantic 10 Conference. Finished 15-16 last season. Best player: 6-9 junior forward Andrew Nicholson (16.4 points, 7.1 rebounds).
- Central Connecticut: Picked for 3rd in the 12-team Northeast Conference. Finished 12-17 last season. Best player: Senior guard Shamik Thompson (13.0 points, 3.3 assists).
- Quinnipiac: Picked for 1st in the 12-team Northeast Conference. Finished 23-10 last season. Top Player: Senior forward Justin Rutty (15.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, the NEC's leading rebounder last season).
- Drexel: Picked for 6th in the 12-team Colonial Athletic Association. Finished 16-16 last season. Best player: 6-5 junior forward Samme Givins (8.6 points, 8.3 rebounds).
- UMBC: Picked for 9th in the 9-team America East Conference. Finished 4-26 last season. Best player: 5-10 senior guard Chris De La Rosa (11.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, led the conference in assists last season). De La Rosa played his freshman season at Siena before transferring.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
A look at Saint Peter's Non-League Sked
Here's a look at Saint Peter's non-league schedule.
The Peacocks play in the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas on the U.S. Virgin Islands with a first-round game on Nov. 19, a second-round contest on either Nov. 20 or 21 and a third game on Nov. 22. They'll meet Old Dominion in the opener, then either Clemson or Long Beach State in the next game and, finally, an opponent from the other bracket of the eight-team event in the final game (the other bracket includes Alabama, Seton Hall, Xavier and Iona).
St. Pete's plays non-league away game on Nov. 13 (Robert Morris), Nov. 29 (Seton Hall), Dec. 11 (Wagner), Dec. 21 (Binghamton0, Dec. 23 (Rutgers) and Dec. 29 (Lehigh).
It plays home games on Nov. 27 (LIU), Dec. 18 (FDU).
It will also participate in a BracketBusters game in mid-February.
Game by game insight:
- Robert Morris: Picked for 4th (by The Sporting News' College Basketball Annual) in the 12-team NEC. It finished 23-12 lasg season and was its league's representative to the NCAA tournament. Best Player: 5-9 sophomore guard Karon Abraham (13.6 points per game last season) was the NEC's Rookie of the Year.
- Old Dominion: Picked for 2nd in the 12-team Colonial Athletic Association. Finished 27-9 last season and played in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1995. Best player: 6-8 senior forward Frank Hassell (9.2 points, 6.7 rebounds).
- LIU: Picked to finish 2nd in the 12-team Northeast Conference. Finished 14-17 last season. Has four returning starters. Best Player: Senior guard Kyle Johnson (11.5 ppg.) and forward Kenny Onyechi (league-best 2.1 blocks per game).
- Seton Hall: Picked to finish 12th in the 16-team Big East Conference. Finished 19-13 last season. Its new head coach is Kevin Willard, who spent the last three years in the MAAC as the head man at Iona. Best Players: 6-8 junior forward Herb Pope (11.5 points, 10.7 rebounds), 6-5 senior guard Jeremy Hazell (20.4 points).
- Wagner: Picked for 11th in the 12-team Northeast Conference. Finished 5-26 last season. New head coach with former Seton Hall star Danny Hurley. Best player: Junior guard Chris Martin (12.1 points).
- FDU: Picked to finish 8th in the 12-team NEC. Finished 11-21 last season and lost its top scorer and top rebounder to graduation. Top Player: Senior guard Mike Scott (12.6 points, 5.4 assists).
- Binghamton: Picked for 6th in the 9-team America East conference. Finished 11-17 last season. Best player: 6-7 senior forward Greer Wright (15.6 points, 6.0 rebounds).
- Rutgers: Picked for 14th in the 16-team Big East Conference. Finished 15-17 last season. New head coach in Mike Rice, formerly at Robert Morris. Best player: 6-7 senior forward Jonathan Mitchell (11.8 points).
- Lehigh: Picked for 5th in the 8-team Patriot League. Finished 22-11 last season. Best player: 6-2 sophomore guard C.J. McCollum (19.1 points, 5.0 rebounds). He was last season's top-scorer among freshmen nationally.
The Peacocks play in the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas on the U.S. Virgin Islands with a first-round game on Nov. 19, a second-round contest on either Nov. 20 or 21 and a third game on Nov. 22. They'll meet Old Dominion in the opener, then either Clemson or Long Beach State in the next game and, finally, an opponent from the other bracket of the eight-team event in the final game (the other bracket includes Alabama, Seton Hall, Xavier and Iona).
St. Pete's plays non-league away game on Nov. 13 (Robert Morris), Nov. 29 (Seton Hall), Dec. 11 (Wagner), Dec. 21 (Binghamton0, Dec. 23 (Rutgers) and Dec. 29 (Lehigh).
It plays home games on Nov. 27 (LIU), Dec. 18 (FDU).
It will also participate in a BracketBusters game in mid-February.
Game by game insight:
- Robert Morris: Picked for 4th (by The Sporting News' College Basketball Annual) in the 12-team NEC. It finished 23-12 lasg season and was its league's representative to the NCAA tournament. Best Player: 5-9 sophomore guard Karon Abraham (13.6 points per game last season) was the NEC's Rookie of the Year.
- Old Dominion: Picked for 2nd in the 12-team Colonial Athletic Association. Finished 27-9 last season and played in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1995. Best player: 6-8 senior forward Frank Hassell (9.2 points, 6.7 rebounds).
- LIU: Picked to finish 2nd in the 12-team Northeast Conference. Finished 14-17 last season. Has four returning starters. Best Player: Senior guard Kyle Johnson (11.5 ppg.) and forward Kenny Onyechi (league-best 2.1 blocks per game).
- Seton Hall: Picked to finish 12th in the 16-team Big East Conference. Finished 19-13 last season. Its new head coach is Kevin Willard, who spent the last three years in the MAAC as the head man at Iona. Best Players: 6-8 junior forward Herb Pope (11.5 points, 10.7 rebounds), 6-5 senior guard Jeremy Hazell (20.4 points).
- Wagner: Picked for 11th in the 12-team Northeast Conference. Finished 5-26 last season. New head coach with former Seton Hall star Danny Hurley. Best player: Junior guard Chris Martin (12.1 points).
- FDU: Picked to finish 8th in the 12-team NEC. Finished 11-21 last season and lost its top scorer and top rebounder to graduation. Top Player: Senior guard Mike Scott (12.6 points, 5.4 assists).
- Binghamton: Picked for 6th in the 9-team America East conference. Finished 11-17 last season. Best player: 6-7 senior forward Greer Wright (15.6 points, 6.0 rebounds).
- Rutgers: Picked for 14th in the 16-team Big East Conference. Finished 15-17 last season. New head coach in Mike Rice, formerly at Robert Morris. Best player: 6-7 senior forward Jonathan Mitchell (11.8 points).
- Lehigh: Picked for 5th in the 8-team Patriot League. Finished 22-11 last season. Best player: 6-2 sophomore guard C.J. McCollum (19.1 points, 5.0 rebounds). He was last season's top-scorer among freshmen nationally.
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