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A look at the upcoming season
2002-03 season
East Region teams
Alfred
Alfred will
enter the 2002-03 season with inexperience presenting perhaps the biggest
concern for eighth-year coach Jay Murphy.
Four of five starters and eight of 12 letterwinners are gone from last year's team, which went 11-14 (6-8 Empire 8). Among the departed are guard Devon Downing, the school's career scoring leader, and two-time Empire 8 and ECAC Upstate New York all-star forward E.J. Docteur. Those two, along with guard Chris Koek and forward Brock Stortini, combined for nearly two-thirds of the team's scoring and rebounding.
Despite the losses, Murphy is encouraged by his returnees, some of whom will have the opportunity to step into more important roles this year, as well as a group of promising freshmen. With no superstars on the squad, he emphasized the need for everyone to be ready to contribute on both ends of the court.
"We're inexperienced," Murphy said. "It will be more of a team game this year. One night one guy will score for us, and the next night it will be someone else. I'm really happy with the 14 guys we have. They're really hard working and will be a fun group to work with."
The Saxons' lone returning starter is sophomore point guard Doug Baker (Waterloo/South Seneca). Baker, a good shooter and ball handler, averaged 5.4 points and 1.6 assists per contest as a freshman. Murphy said Baker's confidence has grown by leaps and bounds and he is ready to step into a leadership role.
"Doug's gotten much stronger," Murphy said. "Last year he was young and at times would get frustrated. He'll keep getting better."
Senior shooting guard Brian Roegiers (Marion/Marion) is the team's leading returning scorer. A solid shooter, Roegiers averaged 8.3 points and 1.8 rebounds while playing in 25 games, starting 10. "Brian is a good scorer who can hit the outside shot and drive to the hole. He's a very good athlete who has learned to defend well,' Murphy commented.
Senior co-captains, forward Bryan Crandall (Canisteo/Andover) and center Jeff Hopkins (Caledonia/York), will be looked at to step up their play this season. Crandall, who has served as a backup in the low post each of the past two years, will see considerably more playing time. Crandall, a good shooter and inside player, will need to rebound and play defense consistently.
"Jeff's going to get more minutes. He'll have to rebound for us and hit that short jumper when it's given to him," Murphy said. "And this is Bryan's year. He has to stay aggressive and crash the boards. He's played really well in practice."
Several youngsters who played junior varsity last season will have a chance to contribute this year. Sophomore guard Gavin Backus (Mt. Upton/Gilberstville-Mount Upton) is the team's best shooter and will see time at the two-guard position. Sophomore forward Tate Williams (North Clarendon, Vt./Mill River Union) has improved his strength and will see playing time in the post.
Other returnees expected to compete for playing time are sophomore guards Eric Fleishman (Bath/Haverling) and Bruce Nober (Lake Huntingdon/Narrowsburg).
Murphy is excited about the team's freshman. Forward Nick Andolina (Arkport/Arkport) is versatile and athletic and can play effectively on the perimeter and in the paint. Murphy expects he will begin the year playing center and power forward.
Guard Chris LeMasters (Mansfield, Pa./Mansfield) is a good ball handler and shooter and effective defender who can play either guard position. Guard Horace Betts (Lyons/Lyons), one of the most athletic members of the team (he is a wide receiver on the football team) is quick and explosive in taking the ball to the hoop.
Guards Brendan Smalt (Prattsburgh/Prattsburgh) and Chad Winant (Hornell/Hornell) are both solid outside shooters and defenders. Freshman forward Ryan Hallett (Caledonia/Caledonia-Mumford) is 6-5 and can run the floor well. He'll play primarily in the low post and be counted on for rebounding.
Murphy said aside from inexperience, the team's main weakness may be its lack of size. However, the team is hard-working enough to battle bigger teams underneath. If the squad plays solid defense and shows discipline on offense, Murphy is confident they can win games. He said competition for playing time will only make each player better.
"There are 14 guys who are going at it,' he said. The talent discrepancy throughout the team isn't that great. That competition should make us a better team."
Murphy said the Saxons will need to play solid defense to win. That philosophy is reflected in team goals to limit opponents to less than 40 percent field goal shooting and to lead the Empire 8 conference in scoring defense.
"We need to work the ball, make the extra pass and set up for the good shot," he said, adding that he expects the 3-pointer to be an important weapon. The Saxons will run the fast break when the opportunity presents itself, he added, but must be disciplined in its half-court set.
"We need effort and communication," Murphy said. "If we have that, and if we meet our team goals, we'll win some games."
New
Paltz State
SUNY New Paltz enters a new era with Doug Pasquerella beginning his first
season as the team's head coach. Pasquerella was instrumental in the success
at conference rival Cortland, where he spent the last seven years as an
assistant coach under Tom Spanbauer. During that time, he helped guide
the Red Dragons to an impressive 129-69 record and three NCAA Tournament
appearances, including back-to-back trips to the Sweet 16 in 1999 and
2000.
Pasquerella inherits a program that went 3-22 a year ago and has won just nine of its last 49 games. Despite their recent struggles, the Hawks are only four years removed from an ECAC Championship. The first-year head coach will look to a roster that features nine returnees and seven newcomers to begin the journey back to prominence.
"The quality of individual in our program at the this time is one that will help us restore the success that was established at New Paltz in the late '90s," said Pasquerella. "Our energy and expectations are high and we're looking forward to a successful season."
The Hawks begin the 2002-03 season with little or no expectations from their league peers. SUNY New Paltz was picked to finish last in the 11-team league in the preseason coaches poll.
The Hawks returns four players who saw significant playing time in the backcourt last season. Senior Ben Davey (Andover, N.J.), the team's top returning scorer, averaged 12.2 points per game and hit 36 percent from three-point range to go along with a team-best 2.4 assists per game. Senior Danny Goldberg (New Rochelle, N.Y.), junior Dom Fornabaio (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.), who pitched in 6.3 and 5.6 points per game respectively, and sophomore Birchell Glenn (Rosedale, N.Y.) should also give coach Pasquerella several options at the guard position.
The backcourt has also been strengthened by the addition of Matt Daudier (South Floral Park, N.Y.), a transfer from Maine-Fort Kent, and Joseph Bell (Albany, N.Y.), a transfer from Hudson Valley Community College.
Up front, SUNY New Paltz has five players that are 6-4 or taller. Steve Ott (New Paltz, N.Y.), a 6-6 junior, was third on the team in scoring (8.2 ppg.) and second in rebounding (7.6 rpg.). Senior Steve Tobitsch (New Canaan, Conn.) and sophomores Mike Cutler (Amherst, Mass.), Peter Ferenz (Huntington, N.Y.) and Jonathan Towles (Jamaica, N.Y.) round a physical group that should make the Hawks tough inside.
"Despite the preseason rankings, we feel that we can contend for one of the eight spots in the SUNYAC tournament," said Pasquerella. "If you have an opportunity to compete for the conference championship in February, anything can happen."
In addition to the 16 conference games, the Hawks' non-league schedule features two games with NYU and home dates against William Paterson and Rowan.
SUNY New Paltz opens the 2002-03 season in the Aircast Tip-Off Classic against the host Rutgers-Newark in Newark, N.J. The Hawks will open their conference season at home against Fredonia on Dec. 6.
Hamilton
Hamilton looks to improve upon a 16-9 record from a year ago. Head coach
Tom Murphy, now in his 33rd season, has the pieces in place for another
run at a UCAA title and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
The frontcourt is talent-laden from top to bottom. Leading the way will be first-team, All-UCAA performer, Joe Finley and junior Joe Smith. Last year they averaged nearly 30 points per game. Finley, who needs four points to reach 1,000 points for his career, has averaged 12.7 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game in his career. He led Hamilton in scoring last year averaging 18.8 points per game and was second in rebounds, grabbing 8.0 per game. Smith averaged 11 points per game last season and was among the league leaders in rebounding, averaging 8.8. Ben Clark provides size and toughness down low. He worked hard in the offseason to improve his game and should make a significant contribution this season. Nick Grimmer and C.J. Cantil can come in and provide a spark both offensively and defensively. Steve Nelson and Tim Vaughan will add depth to the front court. Nelson is a tough, hard-nosed player, while Vaughan adds athleticism and strength.
The Continentals feature a deep and talented group out on the wing. Senior, Tim Fesko averaged 6.9 points per game, including a 21-point performance against Notre Dame College. Peck is one of smartesat players on the team and always seems to be around the ball. Look for him to be one of the Continentals better defenders. Kevin Yanni, is a legitimate 3-point threat. Last year he ranked among the UCAA's best in 3-pointers made. When he's on he can make it difficult for teams to defend Hamilton. Mike Evans will provide depth on the wing.
Murphy will have plenty of options at guard this season. Geoff Tomplinson and Greg Leone return to the team this year and will be joined by freshman standout Tim Welchons. Leone led the UCAA in assists last year and was second on the team in scoring, averaging 11 points per game. Tomlinson is a tenacious defender that can get after opposing guards and make it difficult for them to get into an offensive flow. Welchons provides instant offense to the lineup. His speed and quickness will make it tough for defenders to cover him. He also can shoot from downtown which will make it double tough for defenses to cover him.
The pieces are in place for Hamilton to make another run at a UCAA title this year. The Continentals feature a balanced offensive attack and a quick and tenacious defense that can create havoc for their opponents.
More Previews
2001-02
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