NSAN
2009
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
wEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28. 2009
BASKETBALL PREVIEW
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MEN'S PREVIEW (CONTINUED FROM 8C)
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Weston White/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
**Senior guard Mario Little is restrained by Sherron Collins and a official after getting into a scuffle with Nebraska's Cookie Miller last season. Miller, at 5-feet-7, is one of the many Cornhuskers who made up the smallest team in Division I last season. Nebraska singed three players who are at least 6-foot-10 in an effort to compete with minor teams. Included Kansas.**
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Penn has NBA-range on his jump shot already, and Ford will let him have his fair share of three-point attempts. This team is a bit of an enigma, capable of challenging the powerhouses in the Big 12 and struggling against the lesser squads.
TEXAS (23-12.9-7)
Vs. Kansas: Feb. 8, 8 p.m., Austin, Texas
Key losses: G AJ Abrams.
Key newcomers: Freshman G Avery Bradley, Freshman G J'Coven Brown, Junior G Jai Lucas
Breakdown: Texas features seven incoming players on its 16-man squad, which is one of the largest groups of newcomers that coach Rick Barnes has ever had. With young talent like Bradley, named Preseason All-Big 12 Freshman of the Year and winner of the high school national championship in his senior year, Texas fans can expect some new stars on the court. Lucas, who will be eligible from his transfer from Florida in December, may fill former Longhorn Abrams' spot at point guard. Returning from last season are seniors Damion James and Dexter Pittman. James led the Longhorns and was fourth in the Big 12 in rebounding last season (9.2 rpg). Though Texas will host Kansas in conference play, The Longhorns face some tough non-conference opponents this semester. Texas will play defending champions North Carolina in Arlington, Texas Dec. 19, and Michigan State at home Dec. 22.
Hallie Mann
TEXASTECH (14-19,3-13)
Vs. Kansas: Jan. 16, 1:30 p.m., Lawrence
Key Losses: G Alan Voskuil
Key Losses: G Alan Voskul
Key Newcomers: Freshman
G Mike Davis, Freshman F Jaye
Crocket, Junior F Brad Reese
Breakdown: Pat Knight's first full year at Texas Tech's coach hasn't exactly made everyone forget about daddy.
The Red Raiders finished 14-19, their worst record since 2000-01. It was good enough to finish 11th in the Big 12. Texas Tech got off to a hot start last year going 10-4, but it finished the season losing 15 out of the last 19 games.
However, the Red Raiders do have some positives looking toward 2009-10. The nucleus of the team is made of mostly young players. Out of the five seniors last year, guard Alan Voskui appears to be the only player sorely missed.
Junior guard John Roberson looks to improve his successful campaign last year, where he averaged 13.9 points per game and led the Big 12 in assists. Junior forward Mike Singletary scored 43 points in a game last year, 23 of them in a row, so they have a pure scorer.
Sophomore center Robert Lewandowski showed his value quickly last year, averaging 6.6 points per game and 3.7 rebounds while leading the team in blocked shots.
Texas Tech needs to improve its defense (79 points per game allowed last season) and its turnovers (15 per game). If those can get fixed, look for this team to drastically climb the Big 12 ranks in 2009-10.
Corey Thibodeaux
NEBRASKA (18-13. 8-8)
Vs. Kansas: Jan. 13, 8 p.m., Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 6, 5 p.m., Lawrence
Key Newcomers: Freshman F Brandon Ubel, Freshman G Ray Gallegos, Sophomore C Christopher Niemann, Freshman C Brian Diaz
Key Losses: G Ade Dagunduro, G Steve Harley, G Paul Velerand
Being the smallest team in Division I. basketball, Nebraska knew they had add size to its roster.
Its tallest player last year was 6-foot-8 forward Chris Balham, but head coach Doc Sadler brought in three players: Brandon Ubel, 6-10; Christopher Niemann, 6-11; and Brian Diaz. 6-11.
However, Niemann tore his ACL in August, the second time on the same knee. He was to be the Huskers' starting big man to deal with the size of the Big 12, but now that is Diaz's role to fill.
They did, however, lose their top
scorer in Ade Dagunduro as well as Paul Vander. Aside from guards Sek Henry and Ryan Anderson, no one on this year's roster logged more than 500 minutes of playing time last year.
— Corey Thibodeaux
BAYLOR (24-15, 5-11)
Vs. Kansas: Jan. 20, 8 p.m., Lawrence
Key losses: G Curtis Jerrells, G Henry Dugat, F Kevin Rogers
Key additions: Freshman G Nolan Dennis, Freshman F Cory Jefferson, Freshman C Dragan Sekelia, Junior F Ekpe Udoh
Breakdown: In 2002, Baylor basketball was far from being synonymous with success. From the tragic murder of player Patrick Dennehy to the various NCAA violations by former coach Dave Bliss, the program had seemingly plunged to depths it would not soon recover from.
Junior center Cole Aldrich dunks the ball during the Kansas-Oklahoma game last season. The Sooners have to find someone else to guard Aldrich after Blake Griffin left early for the NBA.
But since the hiring of Scott Drew in 2003, there has been quite a turnaround in Waco. After winning 21 games and making the NCAA Tournament in 2008, Baylor built on the successful season with a 24 victories last year - The first back-to-back 20-win seasons in school history. The Bears parlayed that success into a post-season run, finishing as the runners up in both the Big 12 Tournament and NIT Championship games.
Ben Ward
With a talented roster in place and the guidance of coach Drew, look for the Bears to be a formidable presence in the Big 12 this season.
Though the team lost a great deal of its offense with the graduation of Jerrrells, Dugat, and Rogers, the Bears look to the experience of returning starters LaceDarius Dunn and Tweety Carter to lead the way in 2009-2010. Additionally, Baylor welcomes six freshman and two transfer students in what Rivals.com ranks as the No. 17 recruiting class in the nation.
KANSAS STATE (22-12.9-7)
Vs. Kansas: March 3, 7 p.m.
Lawrence
Roundout out the frontcourt is All Big 12 honorable mention Jacob Pullen. The junior guard (13.9 ppg) was just behind leading scorer Clemente (15 ppg) last season and serves as a sturdy second helping to the diminutive Puerto Rican. The two scorers form what might be the most underrated frontcourt in the Big 12.
Speedster Denis Clemente headlines the royal purple's attack with wall-to-wall energy and a dangerous jump shot. Expect the All Big 12 point guard to maintain his "now you see me, now you don't" style and lead the Wildcats from invisibility to demanded detection.
Key Newcomers: Freshman F Wally Judge, Freshman G Rodney McGruder
Breakdown: Despite 22 victories and a surprising fourth place finish in the Big 12 last year, the Kansas State Wildcats still cannot get that putrid taste out of their mouths. Not only were the Wildcats robbed of an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, but they also fell in a crushing defeat to San Diego State in the NIT.
However, looking at this year's squad, coach Frank Martin shouldn't have a hard time shedding the demons of the past. In just his third year in Manhattan, Martin has already established once-laughable K-State as a year-to-year contender.
Martin also gets to show off a talented recruiting class featuring four-star guard Rodney McGruder and McDonald's All American forward Wally Judge. Can you guess the last McDonald's All American to don the royal purple? Michael Beasley. You can bet that Manhattan is chomping at the bit to see what Judge can do on the court. The Jacksonville, Fla., prospect is a 6-foot-9 ogre that possesses premier athleticism. His game is still undoubtedly raw, but his sky high slams will have Bramlage Coliseum rocking.
Key Loss: F Darren Kent
Weston White/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
- Max Rothman
OKLAHOMA (30-6,13-3)
Vs. Kansas: Feb. 22, 8 p.m., Lawrence
Key Losses: F Blake Griffin, F Taylor Griffin, G Austin Johnson
Key Newcomers: Freshman F/C Tiny Gallon, Freshman G Tommy Mason-Griffin
Breakdown: Blake Griffin, last year's Naismith Award winner for national player of the year, was also the No. 1 pick in this year's NBA draft. So that means that he's gone and never coming back.
In steps the man they can Tiny.
That's right, all 6-foot-9 300 pounds of Keith "Tiny" Gallon fills big enough shoes on his own. Replacing Griffin should be second nature. Quite possibly the best name in the Big 12 (no love for Cookie Miller after last year's skirmish and his fleeing to Miami of Ohio). Tiny can demolish opponents and completely dominate the paint. Hailing from superstar manufacturer Oak Hill Academy, Tiny is a powerful rebounder and an impressive passer for a forward of his size.
In steps the man they call Tiny
But we wouldn't even be talking about Oklahoma as a Big 12 force without Willie Warren. Last year's Big 12 freshman of the year, Warren has a knack for scoring in bunches. He can emulate Dwyane Wade in his Marquette days when charging to the hoop or mirror Steph Curry of Davidson and step back and hit a deep three. If the Sooners show only a minimal drop off from last year's 30-victory season, Warren's assortment of skills and leadership may be enough sniff at Big 12 player of the year.
Coach Jeff Capel will have to properly deploy his role players to make up for the departures of Blake and his brother Taylor Griffin, as well as point guard Austin Johnson and forward Juan Pattillo. Senior guard Tony Crocker will function as a floor general and hassle ball handlers with his defensive wizardry and long sleeved under armour. Junior guard Cade Davis can string a group of three points together in a flash. Other than Tiny, a cream-of-the-crop recruiting class featuring McDonald's All-American point guard Tommy Mason-Griffin, shooting guard Steven Pledger and power forward Andrew Fitzgerald will provide the Sooners with a fresh influx of talent and energy.
With several tough non-conference road matchups (VCU, Utah and Gonzaga) and key player departures, don't expect to see the
Sooners win 30 games or return to the NCAA Tournament as a 2 seed. But the crimson and cream are still a lethal Big 12 power.
Max Rothman
MISSOURI (31-7. 12-4)
Vs. Kansas: Jan. 25, 8 p.m.
Lawrence; March 6, 1 p.m.
Columbia, Mo.
Key Losses: F DeMarce Carroll, F Leo Lyons, G Matt Lawrence
Key Returners: Senior G J.T. Tiller, Senior G Zaire Taylor, Sophomore G Kim English
heads in advancing to the Elite Eight in March before falling to Connecticut, 82-75.
Kansas may have won its fifth- straight Big 12 regular season title, but Missouri took home the postseason conference tournament crown and even turned a few
A wealth of experience will be missing from coach Mike Anderson's team as its top three scors graduated. Perhaps the most glaring loss is that of Carroll, whose leadership played a large role in Missouri's postseason surprises. Averaging 16.6 points per game, Carroll scored 22 points against Kansas during a Feb. 9 Missouri victory. English will be looked at to lead the team as junior. The 6-foot-6 guard poured in 30 points off the bench in the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament.
Stephen Montemayor
Edited by Tim Burgess
GOOD LUCK ON THE UPCOMING SEASON HAWKS!
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