The NBA's summer league, in which teams are comprised mostly of incoming rookies and free agents, just concluded its five-game run, and former Rider standout Ryan Thompson competed as a member of the Boston Celtics.
Thompson, a 6-foot-6 guard, saw action in four of the five games the Celtics' team played. His best performance came in the team's first game when he had 13 points (9-of-9 from the foul line) in 15 minutes of playing time.
Overall, he averaged just under 20 minutes of playing time per contest, 9.7 points (9-of-20 shooting form the field, 18-of-20 from the foul line), 2.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 1.0 turnovers.
For now, Thompson remains an unsigned free agent.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Latest Gonzo Woes Likely Mean The End
It's almost a shame to see what Bobby Gonzalez, who was once a promising young college basketball coach, has become over the course of his career in the sport.
After several years at Manhattan, where he more than wore out his welcome, he moved on to Seton Hall where he was fired this past March. There have been any number of off-court incidents, run-ins with media/administrators/support staff, etc.
And, now, he was recently arrested on an alleged shoplifting charge. Here's a link to that incident and a recounting of some of Gonzalez's other misteps:
http://www.theleadgraf.com/2010/07/bobby-gonzalezs-problems-have-officially-stopped-being-funny/
Your blogger, while a beat reporter for Siena at an upstate New York newspaper for many years, has the "pleasure" (and, yes, that term is most definitely made in a sarcastic manner) of dealing with Gonzlez over his entire tenure with the Jaspers. And, yes, I had my share of run-ins with the former Jasper coach.
And, through it all, I often wondered just how as volatile and divisive an individual ever got hired by a college basketball program.
But, recent events have all but ensured that Bobby Gonzalez's time in college basketball is over. It seems fairly certain that he will never again coach at the college level.
And, that's a good thing.
After several years at Manhattan, where he more than wore out his welcome, he moved on to Seton Hall where he was fired this past March. There have been any number of off-court incidents, run-ins with media/administrators/support staff, etc.
And, now, he was recently arrested on an alleged shoplifting charge. Here's a link to that incident and a recounting of some of Gonzalez's other misteps:
http://www.theleadgraf.com/2010/07/bobby-gonzalezs-problems-have-officially-stopped-being-funny/
Your blogger, while a beat reporter for Siena at an upstate New York newspaper for many years, has the "pleasure" (and, yes, that term is most definitely made in a sarcastic manner) of dealing with Gonzlez over his entire tenure with the Jaspers. And, yes, I had my share of run-ins with the former Jasper coach.
And, through it all, I often wondered just how as volatile and divisive an individual ever got hired by a college basketball program.
But, recent events have all but ensured that Bobby Gonzalez's time in college basketball is over. It seems fairly certain that he will never again coach at the college level.
And, that's a good thing.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Manhattan Men/Women Recruiting Recap
Here's the latest in look at recruiting in the conference for the coming season. Each report includes a look at a school's incoming players for both men's and women's programs.
Up now ....
MANHATTAN
MEN
Torgrim Sommerfeldt, 6-7 guard/forward, NTG Sports Academy, Oslo, Norway.
No statistics available, but Sommerfeldt has a reputation as a standout long-range shooter who can play the two-guard spot. Although Manhattan lists his height at 6-7, most other sites have him at 6-6. He originally committed to attend Wake Forest prior to the 2009-10 season, but never fulfilled that commitment after suffering a knee injury in March, 2009. It was his third knee injury in the past four years. He had surgery on both his knees late in 2008. He did also make a recruiting visit to Seton Hall and, reportedly, also considered Rutgers, Fairleigh Dickinson and Florida International although it is uncertain if any of those schools offered a scholarship before he opted to attend Manhattan.
"Torgrim provides good size and length for his position, and he has demonstrated a strong ability to shoot the ball," said Manhattan coach Barry Rohrssen.
Roberto Colonette, 6-7 forward, ASA Institute (Brooklyn).
Colonette was named the Junior College Region XV Division I Player of the Year at ASA Institute in Brooklyn this past season, averaging 12.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. He played two seasons at ASA Institute, and has two remaining years of eliibility.
Rhamel Brown, 6-6 forward, Transit Tech of Brooklyn.
Brown, a rugged 220-pounder, averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds per game this past season. He also has a reputation as a strong shot-blocker, with a single-game high of 12 and several other double-figure games of blocks.
Joel Wright, 6-5 forward, CJEOTO Academy, Somerset, N.J.
No stats available from his post-graduate season at CJEOTO. He is nicknamed "Air Jamaica" for his leaping prowess and electrifying dunks. He averaged 23 points and 17 rebounds per game in 2008-09 playing for Transit Tech School. He originally committed to Fordham before asking for a release after the Rams had a coaching change.
Robert Martina, 6-8 forward, Miami Dade Junior College.
Martina averaged 5.0 ponts and 3.0 rebounds per game this past season and still was named to the all-Southern League's second-team all-star squad.
Mike Alvarado, 6-2 point guard, All Hallows H.S.
No statistics available from his senior season. As a junior, he averaged 13.2 points per game. Most reports list his height at 6-1. A number of sources describe Alvarado as a "throwback" point guard, more concerned with passing than shooting, although he does have a nice outside touch. Reports also indicate Alvarado needs to add some bulk and strength to be more effective at the college level.
Kidani Brutus, 6-1 shooting guard, Carl Albert State JC (Oklahoma).
Brutus averaged 11.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and nearly one steal per game in his first year at Carl Albert State. Brutus, said to be a pure shooter with good range, shot 49% from the field, 42% from 3-point territory and converted 70% of his free-throw attempts in 25 games this past season while averaging 8.7 points per game. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining. His Carl Albert website is listed at 6-foot-0.
ANALYSIS: Manhattan lost plenty last year, including its top three guards. And, it wasn't real strong inside, although the majority of its inside players are returning. In short, Manhattan needed plenty during the recruiting season. Head coach Barry Rohrssen has a reputation for being a standout recruiter, but that skill hasn't been in strong evidence during his previous four seasons with the Jaspers. The best player he brought in was Rico Pickett, who played one year and, then, opted to pursue a professional career. While Pickett led the MAAC in scoring, he did not do much for Manhattan (10-19 last season), and appeared to be more trouble than he was worth. How much will the incoming players help? Hard to tell, but Rohrssen isn't bringing in a bunch of freshmen who need to develop. Three of his incoming players are from the junior college ranks and will be counted on to contribute immediately. The two direct-from-high school players, Alvarado and Brown, might also get into the playing group. Brown, according to sources, is the type player ... an undersized, but powerful forward ... who often has success at the mid-major level. And Alvarado is a true point guard, which Manhattan hasn't had in recent seasons. If Manhattan hopes to escape being around the bottom of the MAAC standings, at least three or four newcomers need to be significant contributors, and that's a lot to ask.
WOMEN
Allison Skrec, a 5-6 guard from Roselle (N.J.) Catholic H.S.
Skrec averaged 18.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists this past season. "Allison played for an outstanding championship school, and I feel that she can add plenty of important intangibles to our program,' said Manhattan coach John Olenowski. "She is a very fundamentally sound, versatile player who can really help us at multiple positions."
Jazmine Jarvis, a 5-8 point guard from Green Valley H.S. in Henderson (Nev.)
Jarvis averaged 22.1 points, 7.2 assists, 4.9 steals and 3.9 rebounds per game this past season. A four-year starter, she accumulated more than 2,000 points, 700 assists and 500 steals during her high school career. "Jazmine is an outstanding point guard who also has the versatility to play the shooting guard position," Olenowski said. "She has great court vision and makes really good decisions in transition. Defensively, Jazmine averaged nearly five steals per game, and we feel that she has the ability to excel in our full-court pressure defenses."
Brandone Roberts, a 6-3 center from Hammond H.S., Columbia, Md.
Roberts averaged 16.1 points and 15 rebounds per game this past season. 9.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks as a junior. "We are thrilled that Brandone will join (Manhattan)," said Olenowski. "She is a strong rebounder and shot-blocker, and also has great potential offensively."
Monica Roeder, a 6-0 guard/forward from Cherokee (Pa.) H.S.
Roder, a four-year starter, averaged 13.6 points and 5.0 rebounds this past year after averaging 15 points and 7 rebounds as a junior. "We are delighted to have Monica become a Lady Jasper," Olenowski said. "She is a strong inside/outside player who is fundamentally sound, both offensively and defensively. In addition, she is a top notch rebounder."
ANALYSIS: The Jaspers haven't have a winning overall record since the 2002-03 season, but if Manhattan can get some rebounding help and find a point guard, it could get there this season. It's hard to count on freshmen, but the 6-3 Roberts certainly adds some needed height, and Jarvis was a standout point guard at the high school level.
Up now ....
MANHATTAN
MEN
Torgrim Sommerfeldt, 6-7 guard/forward, NTG Sports Academy, Oslo, Norway.
No statistics available, but Sommerfeldt has a reputation as a standout long-range shooter who can play the two-guard spot. Although Manhattan lists his height at 6-7, most other sites have him at 6-6. He originally committed to attend Wake Forest prior to the 2009-10 season, but never fulfilled that commitment after suffering a knee injury in March, 2009. It was his third knee injury in the past four years. He had surgery on both his knees late in 2008. He did also make a recruiting visit to Seton Hall and, reportedly, also considered Rutgers, Fairleigh Dickinson and Florida International although it is uncertain if any of those schools offered a scholarship before he opted to attend Manhattan.
"Torgrim provides good size and length for his position, and he has demonstrated a strong ability to shoot the ball," said Manhattan coach Barry Rohrssen.
Roberto Colonette, 6-7 forward, ASA Institute (Brooklyn).
Colonette was named the Junior College Region XV Division I Player of the Year at ASA Institute in Brooklyn this past season, averaging 12.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. He played two seasons at ASA Institute, and has two remaining years of eliibility.
Rhamel Brown, 6-6 forward, Transit Tech of Brooklyn.
Brown, a rugged 220-pounder, averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds per game this past season. He also has a reputation as a strong shot-blocker, with a single-game high of 12 and several other double-figure games of blocks.
Joel Wright, 6-5 forward, CJEOTO Academy, Somerset, N.J.
No stats available from his post-graduate season at CJEOTO. He is nicknamed "Air Jamaica" for his leaping prowess and electrifying dunks. He averaged 23 points and 17 rebounds per game in 2008-09 playing for Transit Tech School. He originally committed to Fordham before asking for a release after the Rams had a coaching change.
Robert Martina, 6-8 forward, Miami Dade Junior College.
Martina averaged 5.0 ponts and 3.0 rebounds per game this past season and still was named to the all-Southern League's second-team all-star squad.
Mike Alvarado, 6-2 point guard, All Hallows H.S.
No statistics available from his senior season. As a junior, he averaged 13.2 points per game. Most reports list his height at 6-1. A number of sources describe Alvarado as a "throwback" point guard, more concerned with passing than shooting, although he does have a nice outside touch. Reports also indicate Alvarado needs to add some bulk and strength to be more effective at the college level.
Kidani Brutus, 6-1 shooting guard, Carl Albert State JC (Oklahoma).
Brutus averaged 11.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and nearly one steal per game in his first year at Carl Albert State. Brutus, said to be a pure shooter with good range, shot 49% from the field, 42% from 3-point territory and converted 70% of his free-throw attempts in 25 games this past season while averaging 8.7 points per game. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining. His Carl Albert website is listed at 6-foot-0.
ANALYSIS: Manhattan lost plenty last year, including its top three guards. And, it wasn't real strong inside, although the majority of its inside players are returning. In short, Manhattan needed plenty during the recruiting season. Head coach Barry Rohrssen has a reputation for being a standout recruiter, but that skill hasn't been in strong evidence during his previous four seasons with the Jaspers. The best player he brought in was Rico Pickett, who played one year and, then, opted to pursue a professional career. While Pickett led the MAAC in scoring, he did not do much for Manhattan (10-19 last season), and appeared to be more trouble than he was worth. How much will the incoming players help? Hard to tell, but Rohrssen isn't bringing in a bunch of freshmen who need to develop. Three of his incoming players are from the junior college ranks and will be counted on to contribute immediately. The two direct-from-high school players, Alvarado and Brown, might also get into the playing group. Brown, according to sources, is the type player ... an undersized, but powerful forward ... who often has success at the mid-major level. And Alvarado is a true point guard, which Manhattan hasn't had in recent seasons. If Manhattan hopes to escape being around the bottom of the MAAC standings, at least three or four newcomers need to be significant contributors, and that's a lot to ask.
WOMEN
Allison Skrec, a 5-6 guard from Roselle (N.J.) Catholic H.S.
Skrec averaged 18.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists this past season. "Allison played for an outstanding championship school, and I feel that she can add plenty of important intangibles to our program,' said Manhattan coach John Olenowski. "She is a very fundamentally sound, versatile player who can really help us at multiple positions."
Jazmine Jarvis, a 5-8 point guard from Green Valley H.S. in Henderson (Nev.)
Jarvis averaged 22.1 points, 7.2 assists, 4.9 steals and 3.9 rebounds per game this past season. A four-year starter, she accumulated more than 2,000 points, 700 assists and 500 steals during her high school career. "Jazmine is an outstanding point guard who also has the versatility to play the shooting guard position," Olenowski said. "She has great court vision and makes really good decisions in transition. Defensively, Jazmine averaged nearly five steals per game, and we feel that she has the ability to excel in our full-court pressure defenses."
Brandone Roberts, a 6-3 center from Hammond H.S., Columbia, Md.
Roberts averaged 16.1 points and 15 rebounds per game this past season. 9.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks as a junior. "We are thrilled that Brandone will join (Manhattan)," said Olenowski. "She is a strong rebounder and shot-blocker, and also has great potential offensively."
Monica Roeder, a 6-0 guard/forward from Cherokee (Pa.) H.S.
Roder, a four-year starter, averaged 13.6 points and 5.0 rebounds this past year after averaging 15 points and 7 rebounds as a junior. "We are delighted to have Monica become a Lady Jasper," Olenowski said. "She is a strong inside/outside player who is fundamentally sound, both offensively and defensively. In addition, she is a top notch rebounder."
ANALYSIS: The Jaspers haven't have a winning overall record since the 2002-03 season, but if Manhattan can get some rebounding help and find a point guard, it could get there this season. It's hard to count on freshmen, but the 6-3 Roberts certainly adds some needed height, and Jarvis was a standout point guard at the high school level.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Marist Men/Women Recruiting Roundup
Recruiting season for 2010-11 is over, for the most part. There might still be a late addition, or two, before the start of classes in the fall semester, and if that happens you can read about it here.
But, for the most part, recruits are in place and ready to go when conditioning drills begin in early September and, then, full practices get going in mid-October.
In coming weeks, we'll provide a list of incoming recruits focusing one post on each school, listing both men's and women's incoming players (recruits/transfers). Included will be whatever other information is available, much of it coming from either the respective schools or other internet sources. In some cases, your blogger will have seen the recruits in AAU tournaments or will have acquired additional insight from talking to MAAC coaches, and will also pass along that information.
And, now, the traditional word of caution: Recruiting is an extremely inexact science. It is difficult even for the so-called experts to predict how incoming players will convert to the college game.
Then, there's this ... we'll include some comments from MAAC coaches, when available, but those also come with the warning that it certainly is NOT in the best interest of these coaches to portray their incoming players in anything but the most favorable light. The next negative word a coach has to say about one of his or her incoming recruits will be the first this blogger has ever heard.
We'll do it all in reverse order of finish last season (of men's teams),and try to provide a little analysis about the recruits of each team.
So, first up is ....
MARIST
MEN
Jay Bowie, 6-5 guard/forward, Tampa (Fla.) Prep School.
Bowie averaged 16,.4 points and 10.4 rebounds per game this past season.
"He is a versatile wing with tremendous upside," said Marist coach Chuck Martin, in a press release. "He's a slasher, driver and relentless finisher around the basket. He has the potential to be one of the best defensive players on our team and he will generate offense through his defense."
Adam Kemp, 6-9 forward, Winchedon (Mass.) Prep
Kemp averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per game this past season. In the 2008-09 season he played a Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School in central New York, where he was a role player. Sources familiar with Kemp describe him as a "Division I project."
"Adam brings us much needed size and strength," said Martin. "He will provide an inside presence offensively and defensively, but his greatest impact will be on the defensive end. He has the ability to come in and help us."
Pieter Prinsloo, 6-10 forward, Dover (Del.) H.S.
A native of Johannesburg, South Africa, Prinslo averaged eight points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks per game at Dover High this past season. He has spent the last six years in the U.S.
"I'm excited about pieter's skill level," said Martin. "We welcome his much-needed size. It's an asset to have someone of his size and skill level. He is a terrific addition to our Marist family."
ANALYSIS: Marist didn't lose anything of significance from last season, but still will be possibly the youngest team in the conference. It needs its freshmen from a year ago to continue to develop. If the incoming class adds anything, Marist might start turning things around by the 2011-12 season. The Red Foxes, though, were definitely offensively challenged last year, and none of the incoming recruits appears ready to help in that area right away. Bowie is a perimeter player, and that's already where Marist has its best returnees. But, he's likely to get into the playing group right away because of his athleticism and defensive prowess. The team definitely needs height, and while Kemp and Prinsloo are both tall, both are considered by sources within the league as "projects" and likely not ready to provide immediate help.
WOMEN
Emma O'Connor, 6-0 forward, Kellenberg Memorial H.S., Lynbrook, N.Y.
O'Connor averaged 14 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks, four steals, and three assists per game at Kellenberg Memorial High School.
"Emma is a 6-foot post playr who can score inside as well as shoot the three," said Marist coach Brian Giorgis. "She is a strong rebounder, who can go up in a crowd and come down with the ball. She is also guard-like, being a good passer and ball-handler."
Leanne Ockenden, 5-10 guard, Christial Brothers Academy of Syracuse.
Ockenden averaged 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists per game for Christian Brothers Academy. She is a standout long-range shooter who twice has hit 72 three-pointers in a season.
"She is an outstanding 3-point shooter," said Giorgis. "She has has improved her ball-handling ability, as well as her ability to attack the basket. She also will help us defensively with her length. At 5'10", Leanne gives us great size at the guard position and will help us do what we want offensively."
Casey Dulin, 5-9 guard, Jonathan Law H.S., Milford, Conn.
Dulin has scored over 1,300 points in her high school career.
"Casey is a very versatile guard," said Giorgis. "She can play the one, two, or three. Casey will be one of the faster kids in the program. She gives us good size and has a great knowledge of the game and is a great penetrator."
Kristina Danella, 6-1 forward, transfer from UMass.
Daniella transferred to Marist this spring and will serve the NCAA-mandated year in residency this season before being eligible to play for the Red Foxes in 2011-12. She then will have two years of eligibility.
Danella has already had considerable success in the Atlantic 10, and appears to be the type player capable of playing at an all-MAAC level and ensuring that Marist remains strong in future seasons.
At UMass she was the A-10's Rookie of the Week four times in the 2008-09 season. This past season she averaged 11.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. She is a career 39.8% 3-point shooter, and tied a UMass single-season record with 58 made treys this past season.
ANALYSIS: Marist graduated 6-0 forward Rachele Fitz, arguably the conference's all-time best player. But, everyone else returns a year older and, theoretically, a year better. O'Connor likely has the best opportunity for playing time, picking up some of the minutes left by Fitz. But Ockenden and Dulin, according to league sources, are both capable players who will give the Red Foxes valuable depth. Danella, who can't play this season, looks like she'll be an all-conference caliber player when she becomes eligible in 2011-12. And, things keep rolling for the MAAC's most-dominant program.
But, for the most part, recruits are in place and ready to go when conditioning drills begin in early September and, then, full practices get going in mid-October.
In coming weeks, we'll provide a list of incoming recruits focusing one post on each school, listing both men's and women's incoming players (recruits/transfers). Included will be whatever other information is available, much of it coming from either the respective schools or other internet sources. In some cases, your blogger will have seen the recruits in AAU tournaments or will have acquired additional insight from talking to MAAC coaches, and will also pass along that information.
And, now, the traditional word of caution: Recruiting is an extremely inexact science. It is difficult even for the so-called experts to predict how incoming players will convert to the college game.
Then, there's this ... we'll include some comments from MAAC coaches, when available, but those also come with the warning that it certainly is NOT in the best interest of these coaches to portray their incoming players in anything but the most favorable light. The next negative word a coach has to say about one of his or her incoming recruits will be the first this blogger has ever heard.
We'll do it all in reverse order of finish last season (of men's teams),and try to provide a little analysis about the recruits of each team.
So, first up is ....
MARIST
MEN
Jay Bowie, 6-5 guard/forward, Tampa (Fla.) Prep School.
Bowie averaged 16,.4 points and 10.4 rebounds per game this past season.
"He is a versatile wing with tremendous upside," said Marist coach Chuck Martin, in a press release. "He's a slasher, driver and relentless finisher around the basket. He has the potential to be one of the best defensive players on our team and he will generate offense through his defense."
Adam Kemp, 6-9 forward, Winchedon (Mass.) Prep
Kemp averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per game this past season. In the 2008-09 season he played a Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School in central New York, where he was a role player. Sources familiar with Kemp describe him as a "Division I project."
"Adam brings us much needed size and strength," said Martin. "He will provide an inside presence offensively and defensively, but his greatest impact will be on the defensive end. He has the ability to come in and help us."
Pieter Prinsloo, 6-10 forward, Dover (Del.) H.S.
A native of Johannesburg, South Africa, Prinslo averaged eight points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks per game at Dover High this past season. He has spent the last six years in the U.S.
"I'm excited about pieter's skill level," said Martin. "We welcome his much-needed size. It's an asset to have someone of his size and skill level. He is a terrific addition to our Marist family."
ANALYSIS: Marist didn't lose anything of significance from last season, but still will be possibly the youngest team in the conference. It needs its freshmen from a year ago to continue to develop. If the incoming class adds anything, Marist might start turning things around by the 2011-12 season. The Red Foxes, though, were definitely offensively challenged last year, and none of the incoming recruits appears ready to help in that area right away. Bowie is a perimeter player, and that's already where Marist has its best returnees. But, he's likely to get into the playing group right away because of his athleticism and defensive prowess. The team definitely needs height, and while Kemp and Prinsloo are both tall, both are considered by sources within the league as "projects" and likely not ready to provide immediate help.
WOMEN
Emma O'Connor, 6-0 forward, Kellenberg Memorial H.S., Lynbrook, N.Y.
O'Connor averaged 14 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks, four steals, and three assists per game at Kellenberg Memorial High School.
"Emma is a 6-foot post playr who can score inside as well as shoot the three," said Marist coach Brian Giorgis. "She is a strong rebounder, who can go up in a crowd and come down with the ball. She is also guard-like, being a good passer and ball-handler."
Leanne Ockenden, 5-10 guard, Christial Brothers Academy of Syracuse.
Ockenden averaged 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists per game for Christian Brothers Academy. She is a standout long-range shooter who twice has hit 72 three-pointers in a season.
"She is an outstanding 3-point shooter," said Giorgis. "She has has improved her ball-handling ability, as well as her ability to attack the basket. She also will help us defensively with her length. At 5'10", Leanne gives us great size at the guard position and will help us do what we want offensively."
Casey Dulin, 5-9 guard, Jonathan Law H.S., Milford, Conn.
Dulin has scored over 1,300 points in her high school career.
"Casey is a very versatile guard," said Giorgis. "She can play the one, two, or three. Casey will be one of the faster kids in the program. She gives us good size and has a great knowledge of the game and is a great penetrator."
Kristina Danella, 6-1 forward, transfer from UMass.
Daniella transferred to Marist this spring and will serve the NCAA-mandated year in residency this season before being eligible to play for the Red Foxes in 2011-12. She then will have two years of eligibility.
Danella has already had considerable success in the Atlantic 10, and appears to be the type player capable of playing at an all-MAAC level and ensuring that Marist remains strong in future seasons.
At UMass she was the A-10's Rookie of the Week four times in the 2008-09 season. This past season she averaged 11.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. She is a career 39.8% 3-point shooter, and tied a UMass single-season record with 58 made treys this past season.
ANALYSIS: Marist graduated 6-0 forward Rachele Fitz, arguably the conference's all-time best player. But, everyone else returns a year older and, theoretically, a year better. O'Connor likely has the best opportunity for playing time, picking up some of the minutes left by Fitz. But Ockenden and Dulin, according to league sources, are both capable players who will give the Red Foxes valuable depth. Danella, who can't play this season, looks like she'll be an all-conference caliber player when she becomes eligible in 2011-12. And, things keep rolling for the MAAC's most-dominant program.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Former Stag Coach Fuller to Louisville
It has been a very good off season for former Fairfield coaches, the latest being Tim Fuller (Stags' assistant 2006-07 season), who recently was named an assistant coach on Rick Pitino's staff at Louisville.
Fuller has 10 years of experience in basketball coaching, marketing and admininstration. A 2000 graduate of Wake Forest with a degree in communication, he has been an NBA sports marketing field representative for Nike for the past two years.
"Tim has come highly recommended to me by people I respect in the business," said Pitino, in a press release issued by his school. "He has experience in coaching and the private sector with the game of basketball. He has the potential to be an outstanding recruiter and will add a totally different dimension to our staff. We're excited to have Tim as a part of the Cardinal family."
The Winston-Salem, N.C. native began his career as a volunteer assistant basketball coach at North Carolina A&T while also serving as an intern for the Atlantic Coast Conference (2000-01). After a year as an assistant at West Forsyth High School in Clemmons, N.C. where he worked with current New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul, he accepted a position as an assistant coach at Elon under Ernie Nestor in 2003. He advanced to associate coach at Elon for the 2003-04 season before briefly serving as Director of Basketball Operations at the University of Miami (Fla.) under head coach Frank Haith.
He returned to his alma mater in 2004 as Director of Basketball Operations for two seasons on head coach Skip Prosser's staff. He moved to Fairfield (Conn.) University as assistant coach for one season under Ed Cooley (2006-07).
"Tim is a tremendous young man with a lot of passion and energy," said Cooley. "He's very well-mannered and will be a great asset to Louisville's coaching staff. He will bring a lot to Louisville through the connections he has made throughout his career."
Fuller, 32, participated as a non-scholarship athlete at Wake Forest under Dave Odom and helped the Demon Deacons rise to as high as No. 2 in the national poll with current San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan as a teammate. He completed his career as co-captain of Wake's 2000 National Invitational Tournament (NIT) Championship team.
Fuller certainly isn't the only individual with past Fairfield connections to move into a new and better position this past off season.
Two former Stag head coaches are running programs again.
Mitch Buonaguro (Fairfield's head coach from 1986-91) became Siena's coach after serving there the previous five seasons as associate head coach under Fran McCaffery.
And, Paul Cormier (Fairfield's head coach from 1991-98) became Dartmouth's coach. It's Cormier's second stint in that position, having been there from 1984-91. In recent years Cormier had been an NBA scout.
Your blogger can't profess to knowing Fuller, but I've had considerable interaction with Buonaguro and Cormier during their years in the MAAC. Each is among the nicest individuals I've encountered, and their two respective programs are in good hands.
Fuller has 10 years of experience in basketball coaching, marketing and admininstration. A 2000 graduate of Wake Forest with a degree in communication, he has been an NBA sports marketing field representative for Nike for the past two years.
"Tim has come highly recommended to me by people I respect in the business," said Pitino, in a press release issued by his school. "He has experience in coaching and the private sector with the game of basketball. He has the potential to be an outstanding recruiter and will add a totally different dimension to our staff. We're excited to have Tim as a part of the Cardinal family."
The Winston-Salem, N.C. native began his career as a volunteer assistant basketball coach at North Carolina A&T while also serving as an intern for the Atlantic Coast Conference (2000-01). After a year as an assistant at West Forsyth High School in Clemmons, N.C. where he worked with current New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul, he accepted a position as an assistant coach at Elon under Ernie Nestor in 2003. He advanced to associate coach at Elon for the 2003-04 season before briefly serving as Director of Basketball Operations at the University of Miami (Fla.) under head coach Frank Haith.
He returned to his alma mater in 2004 as Director of Basketball Operations for two seasons on head coach Skip Prosser's staff. He moved to Fairfield (Conn.) University as assistant coach for one season under Ed Cooley (2006-07).
"Tim is a tremendous young man with a lot of passion and energy," said Cooley. "He's very well-mannered and will be a great asset to Louisville's coaching staff. He will bring a lot to Louisville through the connections he has made throughout his career."
Fuller, 32, participated as a non-scholarship athlete at Wake Forest under Dave Odom and helped the Demon Deacons rise to as high as No. 2 in the national poll with current San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan as a teammate. He completed his career as co-captain of Wake's 2000 National Invitational Tournament (NIT) Championship team.
Fuller certainly isn't the only individual with past Fairfield connections to move into a new and better position this past off season.
Two former Stag head coaches are running programs again.
Mitch Buonaguro (Fairfield's head coach from 1986-91) became Siena's coach after serving there the previous five seasons as associate head coach under Fran McCaffery.
And, Paul Cormier (Fairfield's head coach from 1991-98) became Dartmouth's coach. It's Cormier's second stint in that position, having been there from 1984-91. In recent years Cormier had been an NBA scout.
Your blogger can't profess to knowing Fuller, but I've had considerable interaction with Buonaguro and Cormier during their years in the MAAC. Each is among the nicest individuals I've encountered, and their two respective programs are in good hands.
Friday, July 2, 2010
A Sneak Preview of the League Preview
OK, your blogger just sent in the MAAC's season preview to The Sporting News for its College Basketball Annual that will hit newsstands at some point in mid-September.
While it's a labor of love, it most definitely is a "labor." With a reputation as the best of its kind in terms of national newsstand-available preview magazines, The Sporting News justifiably demands the best information. And, in the interest of ensuring the publication does sell, it prohibits writers from duplicating efforts in other places.
But, we'll provide a very brief preview here. If you want the details ... please purchase The Sporting News early and often when it comes out, and not just for the MAAC preview but the best college basketball information of every Division I conference and team that will be out there.
Anyway, here's this correspondent's predicted order of finish, with brief comments:
1) Fairfield. Derek Needham is the best player in the league, and he's got a terrific supporting cast and a terrific head coach.
2) Saint Peter's. Toss-up with Iona, but the Peacocks have a little more experience, plus a returning head coach.
3) Iona. Still relatively youthful, and a new head coach. Those are the only very minor questions.
4) Siena. Ryan Rossiter is the league's top big man, and might be its preseason Player of the Year. Capable of better, but only if its two freshmen come up big.
5) Loyola. Everyone but Brett Harvey is back, including head coach Jimmy Patsos. Shane Walker could be an outstanding big man.
6) Niagara. It needs contributions from its younger players, but never count out a Joe Mihalich team.
7) Canisius. If someone can take over at the point (Gaby Belardo?), it could finish a couple of spots higher.
8) Rider. Four starters back, but was only .500 in the league with Ryan Thomson. Expect a drop without him.
9) Manhattan. The loss of Rico Pickett hurts. Almost no returning offense. George Beamon poised for a break-out.
10) Marist. Can't do worse than last year's 1-17, but still way too young and almost no inside game.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Your blogger will produce comprehensive team-by-team previews just prior to the season. Look for those in early November.
While it's a labor of love, it most definitely is a "labor." With a reputation as the best of its kind in terms of national newsstand-available preview magazines, The Sporting News justifiably demands the best information. And, in the interest of ensuring the publication does sell, it prohibits writers from duplicating efforts in other places.
But, we'll provide a very brief preview here. If you want the details ... please purchase The Sporting News early and often when it comes out, and not just for the MAAC preview but the best college basketball information of every Division I conference and team that will be out there.
Anyway, here's this correspondent's predicted order of finish, with brief comments:
1) Fairfield. Derek Needham is the best player in the league, and he's got a terrific supporting cast and a terrific head coach.
2) Saint Peter's. Toss-up with Iona, but the Peacocks have a little more experience, plus a returning head coach.
3) Iona. Still relatively youthful, and a new head coach. Those are the only very minor questions.
4) Siena. Ryan Rossiter is the league's top big man, and might be its preseason Player of the Year. Capable of better, but only if its two freshmen come up big.
5) Loyola. Everyone but Brett Harvey is back, including head coach Jimmy Patsos. Shane Walker could be an outstanding big man.
6) Niagara. It needs contributions from its younger players, but never count out a Joe Mihalich team.
7) Canisius. If someone can take over at the point (Gaby Belardo?), it could finish a couple of spots higher.
8) Rider. Four starters back, but was only .500 in the league with Ryan Thomson. Expect a drop without him.
9) Manhattan. The loss of Rico Pickett hurts. Almost no returning offense. George Beamon poised for a break-out.
10) Marist. Can't do worse than last year's 1-17, but still way too young and almost no inside game.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Your blogger will produce comprehensive team-by-team previews just prior to the season. Look for those in early November.
Canisius Sets Men's/Women's Openers
There are worse ways to open a college basketball season ... truly, we can't think of too many better ... than with a doubleheader by your hometown men's and women's team. Come to think of it, it's something more college basketball programs should do.
And, that's what Canisius is doing to kick off its 2010-11 season on Friday night, Nov. 12 with its two teams hosting opponents in the Koessler Athletic Center.
The women's team begins the season with a 6 p.m.. contest against Kent State, followed by an 8:30 p.m. contest between "Little Three" rivals Canisius and Saint Bonaventure.
The only thing better than that would be a pre-doubleheader trip to the Anchor Bar, or to Duff's, whichever is your favorite for chicken wings, Buffalo's culinary delight.
This will mark the first home opening doubleheader since the 2006-07 campaign for the Canisius basketball programs. The Canisius women’s team went 12-19 overall and 6-12 in MAAC play last season and head coach Terry Zeh will bring back two starters and eight letterwinners to this year’s roster. The meeting with the Golden Flashes will be the third in school history and the first since Nov. 27, 1989.
The Canisius men’s team went 15-17 overall and 8-10 in league play last year, with the 15 wins standing as the most for the Blue and Gold since the 2000-01 season. Head coach Tom Parrotta will return four starters and eight letterwinners to this year’s team, which is looking to build off its first home winning season since 2003-04. The meeting with the Bonnies will mark the 159th all-time contest between the two schools, but this will be just the fourth time since 1968 that the two long-time foes have played on the Koessler Athletic Center court.
And, that's what Canisius is doing to kick off its 2010-11 season on Friday night, Nov. 12 with its two teams hosting opponents in the Koessler Athletic Center.
The women's team begins the season with a 6 p.m.. contest against Kent State, followed by an 8:30 p.m. contest between "Little Three" rivals Canisius and Saint Bonaventure.
The only thing better than that would be a pre-doubleheader trip to the Anchor Bar, or to Duff's, whichever is your favorite for chicken wings, Buffalo's culinary delight.
This will mark the first home opening doubleheader since the 2006-07 campaign for the Canisius basketball programs. The Canisius women’s team went 12-19 overall and 6-12 in MAAC play last season and head coach Terry Zeh will bring back two starters and eight letterwinners to this year’s roster. The meeting with the Golden Flashes will be the third in school history and the first since Nov. 27, 1989.
The Canisius men’s team went 15-17 overall and 8-10 in league play last year, with the 15 wins standing as the most for the Blue and Gold since the 2000-01 season. Head coach Tom Parrotta will return four starters and eight letterwinners to this year’s team, which is looking to build off its first home winning season since 2003-04. The meeting with the Bonnies will mark the 159th all-time contest between the two schools, but this will be just the fourth time since 1968 that the two long-time foes have played on the Koessler Athletic Center court.
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