Tour Gives Youthful Niagara Early Start

Joe Mihalich has been working college basketball sidelines for 31 years, the last 12 of those as Niagara's head coach, but he is currently doing something he has never done before.

Mihalich is coaching his Purple Eagles on an international tour, a four-game trip to play exhibition games in Montreal.

These days it almost seems automatic that Division I programs, at least the well-funded ones, take the NCAA-allowed international summer tours for games once every four years.

But, it's a first for Mihalich. Neither the La Salle teams he served on as an assistant nor his current Niagara team has ever taken that kind of off-season trip.

Mihalich, though, knows the benefits, particularly for a team in transition, like his own. The Niagara coach gave us a few minutes earlier this week, talking from the team bus en route from Monteagle Ridge to Montreal, to provide his thoughts.

"First time for me," said Miahlich, about taking a team on an international trip for summer games," said Mihalich. "And, there are definitely benefits. "You hope it accelerates your progress, particularly for a team like ours that's so young. We don't have a single senior on our team. We only have three juniors, and one of them (Ali Langford) is a junior college transfer, so he's never played at the Division I level before. Basically, we've got two veteran players on our roster.

"It's a great chance to get together in the off-season and see what we can do and what we can't do."

It's not just playing the games that helps. Teams going on international tours are also allowed 10 full practices prior to the trip.

"Those 10 extra practices help," said Mihalich. "It puts you a little ahead of schedule. You try to put in some things you'll do during the regular season, but you also have to keep it basic. You don't want to throw everything at them at once ... that would be a mile long and only an inch deep. In practices, we're emphasizing quality of of a few things we'll do rather than quantity."

And, then, there are the games. Niagara got a win in its first game in Canada, knocking off the University of Quebec, 79-64.

"Obviously you're trying to win games, but it's also a great opportunity for our young guys to get game experience," said Mihalich. "And, it gives me a chance to see them in game situations."

Thirty-one years as a college-level coach, and Mihalich sounds as excited as he's ever been prior to a season, if a bus-ride conversation is any indication.

"My god we're excited," said Mihalich. "The excitement is about what we don't know about this team and waiting to see what develops."

It appears Niagara has plenty, although the youth and lack of prior experience in many cases might require some time for what the Purple Eagles have to develop.

What it does have, for one, is an experienced front court with 6-8 junior forwards Eric Williams and Scooter Gillette, who both progressed as last season went on and seem poised for strong years.

They'll get help up front by athletic 6-6 forward Langford, a transfer from Hancock Junior College.

Niagara also has a nice young backcourt in sophomore Marvin Jordan, an all-MAAC Rookie Team selection a year ago; and, 6-3 Antoine Mason, a red-shirt freshman who played three games last season (averaging 16.7 points) before a foot injury kept him out after that. And, sophomore guard Malcolm Lemmons was sharp in the tour's opener, scoring a team-high 20 points.

There actually is a a fifth senior in the program who looks like he'll eventually be a significant contributor. That would be 6-5 swingman Josh Turner who is not on the trip.

Turner, enrolled at Niagara since last year's spring semester, has not yet gained eligibility status due to academic issues.

The swingman averaged 27.5 points, eight rebounds and five assists per game at Sacred Heart H.S. in Connecticut in the 2009-10 season and, then, attended Southern Caroline Prep Academy in Charlotte, N.C., to bolster his academics. But that prep school closed in mid-year and Turner opted to enroll at Niagara.

However, he needs a full year of academic success at Niagara to fulfill eligibility requirements. If he stays on schedule, he'll be eligible to join the program for the second semester. Until then, though, he is not eligible to play or practice.

Just another new piece for a young, talented team in transition.

But, the current four-game swing in Montreal should help develop team chemistry.

"It gives you an advantage ... has you a little more ready to go at the start of the season," said Mihalich. "At least that's what you hope for."

News & Notes From Rider Men's Hoops

Here are a couple of interesting items related to Rider men's basketball, discovere recently and written about by your hoopscribe while weatering the upstate New York version of Tropical Storm Irene.

BREAKFAST WITH RIDER TO TIP OFF ESPN MARATHON

Fans of the Rider men's basketball team, no doubt, will be stocking up on strong coffee for the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 15.

That's the day Bronc fans can wake up to basketball as Rider will host rexel for a 6 a.m. game that will be televised nationally on ESPN, part of the sports network's 4th annual Tip-Off Marathon for college hoops.

Game coverage begins at midnight an, in all, the network will televise 17 total games non-stop over 25 hours.

It's the second time MAAC teams have been featured, and the second time a conference squad will have the honor of playing in the early morning eye-opener. In 2009, Saint Peter's hosted Monmouth in the 6 a.m. slot. Also that year, Niagara got a little extra sleep when it played in an 8 a.m. event against Drexel. That same year Siena was also part of the marathon schedule, hosting Northeastern in a noon contest.

"The 6 a.m. ESPN game with Drexel is going to be a lot of fun," said Rider head coach Tommy Dempsey, in a recent press release issued through his school's sports information office. "It seems everyone on campus is looking forward to the game. This is going to be a strong Drexel team so we will need our student body and fans to set the alarm clocks and come out and support us."

School officials indicate that planning for a variety of events to involve students is already underway, probably starting about 2 a.m. and will include music, contests, prizes and giveaways.

BRONCS' DEMPSEY EARNS "UNDERRATED" MENTION

Jon Rothstein, who does work covering college and professional basketball for the MSG network, recently did a blog item about five coaches he perceived as being underrated at the college level.

Rider's Tommy Dempsey came in as one of the five, along with Kevin Stallings of Vanderbilt, Fran Dunphy of Temple, Randy Bennett of St. Mary's and Blaine Taylor of Old Dominion.

Rothstein points out that Dempsey probably isn't underrated by those who closely follow Rider's program and the MAAC.

And, for sure, the Broncs' coach isn't underrated by this hoopscribe.

Yours truly made that mistake last year, picking the Broncs to finish eighth in the 2010-11 conference standings.

And, then, Dempsey directed Rider to a 13-5 MAAC record that was good for a share of second place.

We now know better than to underestimate Dempsey's coaching ability, and shoul have known even before that,

Now entering his seventh season as Rider's hea coach, Dempsey's teams have been to three national post-season tournament (once to the CBI, twice to the CIT). Over the past four years Rider's 82 total victories is the best four-year total in the program's history.

Women's Recruiting: Loyola Adds Four

Here's another in the series looking at players joining conference programs for the coming season.

Up now...

LOYOLA WOMEN

- Naiesha Brown, 5-10 guar, Sanford School of Newark, Del.

She averaged 14.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game this past season.

Brown helped lead the New York Gauchos to an Albany GymRat Challenge AAU tournament title in May, 2010. Your hoopscribe saw her play several games, and was particularly impressed with her long-range shooting ability an overall versatility. However, she is a very slender perimeter player and probably needs to add some strength to her game to be a consistent contributor.

- Kara Marshall, 5-8 point guard, Gaithersburg (Md.) High School.

She averaged 13.2 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds and 5 steals per game this past season.

Reports indicate that she led her high school team in scoring and assists for four consecutive seasons. She is said to be an extremely quick guard who id most of her scoring in transition.

Cierra Darden, 6-2 center, Grace Christian Academy of Hughesville, md.

She averaged 12.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.7 blocks per game this past season. Reports indicate that she is a lanky, athletic inside player.

- Stephanie Smith, 6-0 forward, Mount Saint Joseph's Academy, Lower Gwynedd, Pa.

She averaged 12.8 points per game this past season and finished her career with 1,129 points and more than 700 rebounds.

ANALYSIS: Marshall appears to be the top incoming player, although the point guard spot was more than capably filled this past season by junior-to-be Katie Sheahin. But, Sheahin could move over to the off-guard spot if Marshall is ready to contribute. The Greyhounds also appeared to bring in some potential answers to its vertically-challenged team of a year ago, primarily with the 6-2 Darden, but both Smith and, even, Brown have enough height and rebounding skills to help out. The incoming group appears strong. Loyola was the MAAC's second-best team last season and this year's recruits should help keep it near the top of the MAAC standings for the foreseeable future.

Men's Recruiting: Loyola Loading Up

Here's another in the series looking at players joining conference programs for the coming season.

Up now ...

LOYOLA MEN

- Chen "David" Cai, 6-8, 240-pound forward, Lee Academy of Maine.

The native of Guangzhou, China, averaged 12.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game at Lee Academy this past season. He previously played three seasons at Marantha Christian School in San Diego before being ruled eligible to continue playing there. However, reports indicate he was not directly involved in alleged violations (a news story indicated that a church affiliated with the school paid for his tuition)and that the situation there neither restricted him from playing at Lee nor affects his college elibibility. Cai averaged 26 points and 17 rebounds as a junior at the California school.

"Chen is another great get for us," said Loyola coach Jimmy Patsos. "He is a player who has a very bright future if he puts in time and works hard."

- Tyler Hubbard, 6-1 guard, Montrose Christian School of Rockville, Md.

He averaged 12.7 points per game this past season an is considered one of the Baltimore/D.C. area's top outside shooters. He made five 3-pointers in six different games this past season.

"We are very pleased to get a player from Stu Vetter's tremendous program at Montrose Christian," Patsos said. "Tyler is a very good shooter who will compete for time here. He hit a big 3-pointer against Oak Hill (Academy) to win the ESPNRise National Championship game. He also played for a Loyola alum, Damien Jenifer, an assistant at Montrose Christian."

- R.J. Williams 5-8 point guard, St. Francis Academy of Baltimore

He averaged 20 points and 9 assists per game this past season.

"It is great to get a point guard who had a great senior year in the prestigious Baltimore Catholic League," Patsos said of Williams. "We believe that R.J. will be able to contribute for us right away. He was the (Catholic League) co-Player of the Year for a reason, and it's great that he is following in (current Loyola guard) Dylon Cormier's footsteps in going from the Catholic League to Loyola."

- Jordan Latham, 6-8, 245-pound forward, transfer from Xavier University.

Latham played one season for Xavier, appearing in just 16 games and scoring eight total points in an average of 4.8 minutes per contest. He graduated from Baltimore's City High School, where he averaged 17 points and 9 rebounds per game as a senior there. Latham can practice but not play, as per transfer rules, this coming season and has three seasons of eligibility remaining beginning with the 2012-13 season.

ANALYSIS: One of the better recruiting classes in the conference, accounting for two likely future backcourt starters in Williams and Hubbard. Williams might be a significant contributor right away, and Hubbard's long-range shooting ability will likely make him a sniping specialist this coming season. Cai has a nice, left-handed shooting touch from the perimeter and also appears to have a developing inside game. Latham is Loyola's latest return-home transfer from a higher-level conference school, and should have an immediate impact for the Greyhounds when he becomes eligible. This recruiting class looks more than capable of helping Loyola maintain its upper echelon of the MAAC standings for the next several years.

Recruiting: Fairfield Women Add 2 Guards

Here's another in the series looking at players joining MAAC programs for the upcoming season.

Up now ...

FAIRFIELD WOMEN

- Felicia DaCruz, 5-7 point guard, Albertus-Magnus H.S., Bardonia, N.Y.

Cruz averaged about 15 points and 5 assists per game as a senior, and 10.4 points over a four-year varsity career.

“Felicia is a tough competitor with great point guard instincts,” said Fairfield coach Joe Frager. “She can penetrate and finish in traffic, or knock down an open 3. She is an unselfish player who sees the floor and finds the open teammate. She will have an opportunity to compete for significant minutes as a freshman."

Sydney Ranson, 5-8 guard/forward, Cardinal McCarrick H.S., South River, N.J.

She averaged 7.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.5 steals per game as a senior.

“Sydney comes to us with a great deal of potential,” said Frager. “She is an aggressive defender and an intense competitor, with an emerging offensive game. Sydney can play multiple positions, but will compete for time primarily as an off-guard."

ANALYSIS: By all accounts the Stags are bringing in two quality guards. DaCruz, a true point guard, could challenge for significant minutes right away, potentially moving senior Desiree Pina to off-guard, on occasion, where she began her career. Ransom is a versatile performer who does a little bit of everything and appears destined to get into the playing group early. The class, though, did not address Fairfield's biggest need which continues to be an effective post player.

Men's Recruiting: Fairfield's Group Strong

Here's the lastest in the series looking at players joining conference programs for the coming season.

Up now ...

FAIRFIELD MEN

- Rakim Sanders, 6-5 senior forward, transfer from Boston College.

Sanders played three years for the Eagles, averaging 11.3 points (freshman year), 12.9 (sophomore) and 11.3 as a junior. He is already a 1,000-point career scorer (1,043 points). He averaged a career-high 4.4 rebounds per game as a soph. Sanders joined Fairfield last season and, as per transfer rules, was able to practice but not play. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

- Desmond Wade, 5-8 point junior point guard, transfer from University of Houston.

Wade played two seasons at Houston and had more than 100 assists in both, becoming just the third player in school history with back-to-back 100-assist seasons. As a sophomore in 2009-10 he averaged 5.7 points and 4.8 assists. He had 167 total assists against just 62 turnovers. Like Sanders he joined Fairfield last year and practiced with the Stags. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

- Adam Jones, 6-8 forward, St. Thomas More Prep School.

Jones averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds this past season at St. Thomas More Prep School.

Jones has one of the most-interesting life stories of any player in college basketball, living with an uncle in Ocala, Fla., since fifth grade because his mother didn't have the financial means to support him. When Jones was 15, though, the uncle's health and financial problems did not allow him to continue to support Jones. The youngster, though, had developed a friendship with Austin Rivers, the son of Boston Celtics' coach Doc Rivers, who eventually became Jones' legal guardian.

- Vincent Van Nes, 7-foot-0, 235-pound center, Northfield (Mass.) Mount Herman School.

Van Nes, a native of Dorcester, England, was at Mount Hermon for two years, but only played two games last season before suffering a foot injury that required surgery in January. Prior to the injury Van Nes had drawn some interest from programs from higher levels. After the injury, though, scholarship offers only came from mid-maor level programs.

- Kevin Thomas, 6-8 forward, St. Mary's Ryken H.S., Md.

Thomas averaged 8.9 points per game last season. He is originally from Toronto.

ANALYSIS: There's no questioning the talent Fairfield has imported from higher-profile programs in Sanders and Wade as both have had considerable success elsewhere against better competition than they'll see in the MAAC. The only question is how quickly they can fit in, whether team chemistry can be established since not only are the two transfers likely to step into the starting lineup, but head coach Sydney Johnson is in his first year at Fairfield. The team, though, got the benefit of playing four games in Italy this month. Sanders was terrific, scoring 70 points in the first three games. If the playing rotation remains the same as on the overseas trip, then Wade will start at point guard and junior Derek Needham will move off the ball. Van Nes looks like a nice project who will back up 7-0 senior center Ryan Olander for the coming season and, potentially, replace the current Stags' big man. Jones and Thomas are both intriguing projects primarily due to their solid 6-8 frames. Thomas played in tough D.C. area competition. Jones has a remarkable life story, one in which he has succeeded thus far in the face of strong adversity. It's not likely anyone will work any harder than he will. Bottom line is that if team chemistry develops the Stags will be strong again as Sanders and Wade move into the starting five. The traditional freshmen (Van Nes, Jones and Thomas) give the program's front-court much promise for the future.

Recruiting: Iona Women Add Key Parts

Here's another in the series looking at incoming players to MAAC programs for the coming season.

Up now ...

IONA WOMEN

- Aleesha Powell, 5-6 point guard, William Penn Charter School of Philadelphia.

She averaged 14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals per game as a senior.
"I am really excited to have a player of Aleesha’s character and ability joining our Iona women’s basketball family,” said Iona coach Tony Bozzella. “I am sure she will follow in the footsteps in our great point guard tradition here at Iona.”

- Jiya Dorcas-Eye, 6-2 center, Northwest Florida State JC

The native of Lagos, Nigera, averaged 3.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game this past season.

"I am so excited that Jiya has committed to our family. She is a wonderful young woman with tremendous personal qualities and values. I feel that she will have an immediate impact in our program and I am really excited to coach her during the next two years,” said Bozzella.

Damika Martinez, 5-7 point guard, O.H. Platt H.S., Meriden, Conn.

She averaged 26 points and 10 rebounds per game this past season.

"Damika can do so many different things from both guard positions on the floor. She is a dynamic player who I feel will have an immediate impact on our team," said Bozzella.

Briana Graham, 6-0 forward, Martin Luther King H.S., Dearborn, Mich.

She averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds per game this past season.

"Briana will bring a toughness and aggressiveness to our team at both the guard and post positions. She is a true competitor who will have an exceptional career here at Iona," said Bozzella.

ANALYSIS: Iona's primary weakness last year was at the point guard position, and it brings in two very good ones. Martinez was ranked among the top 25 high school point guards nationally by one recruiting service, and can play either back-court position. Dorcas-Eye is an athletic "big" who will likely come off the bench and help out with rebounding and shot-blocking. Graham is a rugged post player who should have an eventual impact.