YTD: 6 - 4 = +1.60 units
let's get it together...cut and pasty write-ups!!!
1) St Bonaventure -2 ( 2 units)
The team led the nation in three-pointers made last season (10.5 per game) and long range bombing is the plan again in 2002-03. The leader in that regard should be junior guard Marques Green. Despite being just 5-7, 160 pounds, Green finds a way to get in the scoring column often. He is coming off a sophomore season in which he tallied 15.4 ppg, while converting almost 40 percent of his three-point attempts. Add veteran swingman Patricio Prato (11.8 ppg, .367 from behind the arc) and 6-4 sophomore Mike Gansey (8.3 ppg, .387 from three-point range) to the mix and there is plenty of perimeter threats on the roster. The hope is that juco transfer Jamil Terrell (6-8, 230) can give the team a rebounding presence down low. However, the focal point of the offense will once again be long range bombing, a philosophy that has worked for the Bonnies for some time now.
With Green and Chase letting it fly at opposite ends of the court, it may come down to tough defense. The only proven low post player resides with the Hokies (Taylor), but the Bonnies won't worry about the play in the paint, as they drill trey after trey.
2) Gonzaga -21 !!! ( 1U)
The strength for Gonzaga will come in the frontcourt, as the team boasts a dominating frontline. Power forward Cory Violette is as good as it gets down low. He averaged 12.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game a year ago and will move over to the middle a good deal this season. Forward Zach Gorde (13.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg), as well as sophomore Ronny Turiaf give the team more than enough muscle up front. Unknowns that could make some noise for this team include senior guard Winston Brooks and juco transfer Tony Skinner.
Replacing Dickau's scoring won't come easy, but if the exhibition season (two games over 100 points) is any indication, the Bulldogs will still put up a lot of points. Violette could be Mark Few's next All-American. Gonzaga rarely looses at home and it certainly won't happen with Hofstra's best players not in the lineup.
3) Texas Tech -9 ( 1U )
4) Colorado -13.5 ( 1U)
The Buffaloes return a host of skilled guys from last year's ninth-place team in the Big 12. The team's less-than-stellar conference record is more indicative of the quality in the Big 12, rather than any deficiencies in Boulder. Sophomore center David Harrison is a star on the rise and a legitimate All-American candidate. His rookie campaign was solid, as the seven-footer averaged a team-high 13.9 points in addition to 7.0 rebounds per game. Harrison is almost impossible to contend with when getting the ball down low, as his .638 shooting percentage last year can attest to. In addition to leading the squad in scoring, he was also a defensive force in the middle with his shot-blocking ability. Speaking of strong frontcourt play, senior forward Stephane Pelle returns to the team, after averaging 12.8 points and 10.8 rebounds last season. Senior point guard Mookie Wright (8.2 ppg, 4.9 apg) is the team's playmaker, and a pretty good one at that, while junior swingmen Blair Wilson (12.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and Michel Morandais (10.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg) are as versatile as they come. The Buffs put up almost 80 points per game last year, while proving to be a team that could play the type of physical game (43.1 rpg) to give even the toughest opponents trouble.
Without a low post player to contend with Harrison, Cal Poly will be in serious trouble in the season-opener. Colorado is ready to kick it up another notch and compete with the big boys in the Big 12. The Mustangs will need to play tough defense to keep this one close, but in the end, too much firepower will help the Buffs cruise to victory, much to the delight of the hometown faithful.
good luck everyone!!!
and take it slow....!!!
let's get it together...cut and pasty write-ups!!!
1) St Bonaventure -2 ( 2 units)
The team led the nation in three-pointers made last season (10.5 per game) and long range bombing is the plan again in 2002-03. The leader in that regard should be junior guard Marques Green. Despite being just 5-7, 160 pounds, Green finds a way to get in the scoring column often. He is coming off a sophomore season in which he tallied 15.4 ppg, while converting almost 40 percent of his three-point attempts. Add veteran swingman Patricio Prato (11.8 ppg, .367 from behind the arc) and 6-4 sophomore Mike Gansey (8.3 ppg, .387 from three-point range) to the mix and there is plenty of perimeter threats on the roster. The hope is that juco transfer Jamil Terrell (6-8, 230) can give the team a rebounding presence down low. However, the focal point of the offense will once again be long range bombing, a philosophy that has worked for the Bonnies for some time now.
With Green and Chase letting it fly at opposite ends of the court, it may come down to tough defense. The only proven low post player resides with the Hokies (Taylor), but the Bonnies won't worry about the play in the paint, as they drill trey after trey.
2) Gonzaga -21 !!! ( 1U)
The strength for Gonzaga will come in the frontcourt, as the team boasts a dominating frontline. Power forward Cory Violette is as good as it gets down low. He averaged 12.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game a year ago and will move over to the middle a good deal this season. Forward Zach Gorde (13.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg), as well as sophomore Ronny Turiaf give the team more than enough muscle up front. Unknowns that could make some noise for this team include senior guard Winston Brooks and juco transfer Tony Skinner.
Replacing Dickau's scoring won't come easy, but if the exhibition season (two games over 100 points) is any indication, the Bulldogs will still put up a lot of points. Violette could be Mark Few's next All-American. Gonzaga rarely looses at home and it certainly won't happen with Hofstra's best players not in the lineup.
3) Texas Tech -9 ( 1U )
4) Colorado -13.5 ( 1U)
The Buffaloes return a host of skilled guys from last year's ninth-place team in the Big 12. The team's less-than-stellar conference record is more indicative of the quality in the Big 12, rather than any deficiencies in Boulder. Sophomore center David Harrison is a star on the rise and a legitimate All-American candidate. His rookie campaign was solid, as the seven-footer averaged a team-high 13.9 points in addition to 7.0 rebounds per game. Harrison is almost impossible to contend with when getting the ball down low, as his .638 shooting percentage last year can attest to. In addition to leading the squad in scoring, he was also a defensive force in the middle with his shot-blocking ability. Speaking of strong frontcourt play, senior forward Stephane Pelle returns to the team, after averaging 12.8 points and 10.8 rebounds last season. Senior point guard Mookie Wright (8.2 ppg, 4.9 apg) is the team's playmaker, and a pretty good one at that, while junior swingmen Blair Wilson (12.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and Michel Morandais (10.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg) are as versatile as they come. The Buffs put up almost 80 points per game last year, while proving to be a team that could play the type of physical game (43.1 rpg) to give even the toughest opponents trouble.
Without a low post player to contend with Harrison, Cal Poly will be in serious trouble in the season-opener. Colorado is ready to kick it up another notch and compete with the big boys in the Big 12. The Mustangs will need to play tough defense to keep this one close, but in the end, too much firepower will help the Buffs cruise to victory, much to the delight of the hometown faithful.
good luck everyone!!!
and take it slow....!!!
